Emerson to digitally automate supercritical coal-fired power plant

ČEZ has chosen Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture

ČEZ chooses Emerson automation services and PlantWeb^® digital plant architecture with Ovation^® expert control system as part of an extensive programme to reduce emissions

Emerson Process Management has won a contract to apply its PlantWeb^® digital plant architecture with the Ovation^® expert control system to ČEZ’s new supercritical coal-fired unit being built at Ledvice power station in the Czech Republic. The new unit will reduce CO₂ emissions by 20% and is being built as a replacement for the older Ledvice Units 2 and 3. When complete, it will be the largest coal-fired unit in the Czech Republic, with a generating capacity of 660MW.

ČEZ is one of Europe’s top ten power utilities with a strong market position in the Czech Republic. As part of a coal power plant modernisation programme, ČEZ is investing in Ledvice and other selected power plants located near the Czech lignite mines. As well as delivering high-efficiency electrical power, the new unit at Ledvice will use the latest technology for Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) and ash handling to meet new European environmental standards. Operation of the new plant is scheduled for December 2012.

ČEZ named Emerson as the main automation contractor for the new unit’s instrumentation and control systems. This role includes engineering design, instrument and equipment procurement, control system supply, site installation, commissioning and start-up. Emerson’s Power & Water Solutions industry centre will manage this turn-key instrumentation and control project.

The automation strategy for the Ledvice supercritical unit is based on Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture with the Ovation expert control system, Rosemount^® intelligent field devices, Fisher^® valves and AMS™ Suite: Intelligent Device Manager predictive maintenance software. Emerson’s Ovation system will monitor and control the supercritical boiler and balance-of-plant processes. An Ovation Safety Instrumented System will be used for the boiler protection system and burner management system.

As part of the PlantWeb architecture, the Ovation system will use HART^® communications to network Emerson’s intelligent devices throughout the plant. The Ovation system will also communicate with the intelligent Motor Control Centres using Profibus DP and with other equipment and applications using Modbus, OPC and IEC 61850 links.

“We are delighted that ČEZ has chosen Emerson’s leading digital technologies for the new Ledvice plant, which will be the first supercritical unit in the Czech Republic,” said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. “A key factor in our ongoing partnership with ČEZ was our ability to demonstrate our considerable experience in automating supercritical units as well as managing complex projects of this scale. ČEZ also recognised the benefits of local support from our team of specialists at our power expertise centre in Prague.”

Emerson’s Ovation system was designed specifically for the power generation industry and is proven in thousands of installations. Well-established as a leading control system for plants using supercritical technologies, the Ovation system enables operation at elevated steam and temperature levels, making electricity generation more efficient, while also reducing fuel-related emissions.

The Ledvice Power Plant began operation in the second half of the 1960s. Originally consisting of five units, only three are currently in operation. Units 2 and 3 will be shut down when the new unit is operational and Unit 4, which was converted to a fluidised bed boiler construction ten years ago, will remain operational. 

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