Activity

  • Trends toward Remote Turbine Operations

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’ Brett Benson discussed the challenge of operating multiple plants with reduced staff levels and how centralized control for single or multiple plant sites is a viable solution. The latest developments in communication technology coupled with modern control hardware provides utilities the ability to monitor, analyze alarms and control their plants, remotely, from…

  • Practical Tips for System Security

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Nick Janouskovec shared his practical tips for attaining and managing Ovation system security at the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference. With so many different standards, regulations, technologies and approaches to cybersecurity, it can be challenging to figure out what you really need. Developing a security program that truly secures your control system, meets your compliance obligations and doesn’t add…

  • Practical Tips for System Security

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Nick Janouskovec shared his practical tips for attaining and managing Ovation system security at the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference. With so many different standards, regulations, technologies and approaches to cybersecurity, it can be challenging to figure out what you really need. Developing a security program that truly secures your control system, meets your compliance obligations and doesn’t add…

  • Electronic Turbine Overspeed Protection

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Sam Onuska and Greg Lieb presented improvements in advanced overspeed protection and online, real time testing of overspeed systems. Greg opened describing where overspeed protection systems can be applied including steam turbines, gas turbines, boiler feed pump turbines (BFPTs) and hydro turbines. These systems measure the shaft rotational speed and decide & take…

  • Electronic Turbine Overspeed Protection

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Sam Onuska and Greg Lieb presented improvements in advanced overspeed protection and online, real time testing of overspeed systems. Greg opened describing where overspeed protection systems can be applied including steam turbines, gas turbines, boiler feed pump turbines (BFPTs) and hydro turbines. These systems measure the shaft rotational speed and decide & take…

  • Ovation Compact Controller

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Tom Snowdon provided a closer look at the Ovation Compact Controller (OCC100) with third party I/O at the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference. The OCC100 extends the Ovation platform to small-scale and highly-distributed applications that need secure, reliable and direct control close the field devices or plant equipment. Typical applications may include small hydro, PLC replacements, wind, solar, microgrids…

  • Ovation Compact Controller

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Tom Snowdon provided a closer look at the Ovation Compact Controller (OCC100) with third party I/O at the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference. The OCC100 extends the Ovation platform to small-scale and highly-distributed applications that need secure, reliable and direct control close the field devices or plant equipment. Typical applications may include small hydro, PLC replacements, wind, solar, microgrids…

  • Integrated Machinery Health Monitoring

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Jason King and John Reidelbach provided an update on Ovation Machinery Health Monitor and a case study of its application. Jason opened describing some of the challenges of traditional machinery protection systems. Plants today have more operational issues due to cycling stresses, loss of expertise, and maintenance issues from growing reactive work practices. …

  • Integrated Machinery Health Monitoring

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Jason King and John Reidelbach provided an update on Ovation Machinery Health Monitor and a case study of its application. Jason opened describing some of the challenges of traditional machinery protection systems. Plants today have more operational issues due to cycling stresses, loss of expertise, and maintenance issues from growing reactive work practices. …

  • Power and Water Cybersecurity Suite Modules

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Jose Pablo Bonilla and Levi Crosier described the different components of the Power and Water Cybersecurity Suite (PWCS) . This presentation included providing users with guidance for configuring their systems, identifying custom reports & dashboards along with establishing a cadence for performing routine security tasks effectively & efficiently. Their focus included…

  • Power and Water Cybersecurity Suite Modules

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Jose Pablo Bonilla and Levi Crosier described the different components of the Power and Water Cybersecurity Suite (PWCS) . This presentation included providing users with guidance for configuring their systems, identifying custom reports & dashboards along with establishing a cadence for performing routine security tasks effectively & efficiently. Their focus included…

  • Ovation Control System Lifecycle Planning

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’ Nick Koonce and Mike Ames presented on some of the tools and data that Ovation control system users can use for lifecycle planning . It included a step-by-step demonstration along with an explanation of the data (format and content) focused on: Lifecycle planning tools & data such as System Gather & Registration Utility Considerations/limitations/things to…

  • Ovation Control System Lifecycle Planning

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’ Nick Koonce and Mike Ames presented on some of the tools and data that Ovation control system users can use for lifecycle planning . It included a step-by-step demonstration along with an explanation of the data (format and content) focused on: Lifecycle planning tools & data such as System Gather & Registration Utility Considerations/limitations/things to…

  • Power Generation Improved Steam Temperature Control

    Jim Cahill
    Emerson’s Jeff Williams presented, Holistic Approach to Steam Temperature Control, at the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference. Jeff opened describing the trend of plants being started and operated more frequently than in the past due to intermittent sources of renewable energy sources on the grid. A key challenge to this mode of operation is to maintain consistent superheat temperature in this transient environment…

  • Embedded Simulation for Training and Engineering

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s James Thompson and Sheldon Willis provided an update on embedded simulation in the Ovation distributed control system . Ovation-based high-fidelity simulator models are embedded directly into virtual Ovation controllers as compared with the more traditional approach with third-party models that run in separate hardware. This single platform for simulation and control…

  • Design and Secure Network Communications

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s Craig McDaniel highlighted practices for effectively designing and securing communications between the Ovation distributed control system and field networks. Craig opened describing the function of a router and net masks as part of the Internet Protocol. The mask identifies what is local to the network and what most go through the router to other connected networks…

  • Cybersecurity Worst Practices: The Good-the Bad-the Ugly

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, Emerson’s David Foose shared examples of bad practices in securing control systems. Dave opened describing how the focus on control system security over the past decade has changed from bothersome to imperative. The five stages of cyber grief include denial, frustration, bargaining, burn out and finally acceptance. Burn out is the phase where a person or small team is…

  • Advanced Startup Automation in the Power Industry

    Jim Cahill
    At the 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference, a power producer shared their story of how they improved their unit startups through the application of advanced technology. The US electrical power grid is evolving rapidly as it adds more renewable generation from solar and wind energy sources. This trend is driving the need for large generating fleets to make their current assets flexible and cost competitive. Important…

  • Improving Control System Alarm Effectiveness for Operators

    Jim Cahill
    During the week of July 29 through August 3, I’ll be attending the Ovation Users’ Group Conference in Pittsburgh. This users’ group is composed of people working in the power, water and wastewater industries. If you’re in one of these industries and an Ovation distributed control system user, I look forward to seeing you there. One of the critical parts of an effective control strategy is to get the alarm design right…

  • Integrated Control and Machinery Health Monitoring for Power Producers

    Jim Cahill
    The power industry is facing many challenges today with cycling demands from a growing renewable energy mix on the grid, employee retirements, and cost cutting. Despite these challenges, consumers expect a reliable supply of electricity. At the July 29 – August 2, 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference in Pittsburgh, Emerson’s Jason King and an Ovation customer will present, Ovation Machinery Health Monitor Update &…

  • Applying Center for Internet Security ICS Cybersecurity Controls

    Jim Cahill
    Power, water and wastewater utilities are critical infrastructure, and require ongoing industrial control system (ICS) cybersecurity risk reduction efforts. Taking a systematic and integrated approach to ICS cybersecurity can help with safe, reliable and efficient operations. Many experts from these industries will gather at the July 29-August 2, 2018 Ovation Users’ Group Conference in Pittsburgh . There they will…

  • Real-Time Microgrid Control and Optimization at The University of Texas

    Jim Cahill
    At my alma mater, The University of Texas , here in Austin, Texas, is the Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heating and Power (CHP) Complex . It is often described : …as the largest and most integrated microgrid in the U.S…. [It] is capable of generating 135 MW (megawatt) power (63 MW peak) and 1.2 million lb/hr (pounds per hour) of steam (300,000 peak). I mention all this because the microgrid controller is powered…

  • Lessons from Fast Track Gas Turbine Generators Control System Retrofit Project

    Jim Cahill
    Earlier this week, we shared how integrated control systems connected with turbine generators and other associated process areas, can improve overall efficiency and reliability for electrical power producers. Continuing on this theme, a Combined Cycle Journal article, Checklist for success: NV Energy commissions seven turbine DCSs in seven weeks , highlighted a fast track gas turbine retrofit project covering two sites…

  • Driving Turbine Generator Efficiency Improvements

    Jim Cahill
    A combination of more plentiful natural gas from shale formations, more global liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities to transport it globally, and global political pressure to reduce carbon emissions has been shifting the mix of fuel sources for electrical power generation. Here in the U.S., natural gas has surpassed coal as the leading source of fuel, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . Natural…

  • Cybersecurity Guidance at ConnectedPlant Conference

    Jim Cahill
    This week, the ConnectedPlant conference is being held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference is focused for professionals in the chemicals and power industries who are leading digital transformations in their organizations. The focus includes: …actionable information and strategies to maximize the use of data, analytics, and related technology to drive efficiency improvements, preventative and predictive maintenance…

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