CHARACTERISTICS

Instrumentation and control systems are essential to all steam-generating installations for safe, economic, and reliable operation. Advances in control technologies allow plant operators to better monitor plant performance thereby improving plant management and increase overall availability.

With well-operating control technologies, the equipment will operate at maximum efficiency, keeping emissions to the minimum possible.

Upgraded instrumentation and control systems, used in conjunction with new sophisticated software programs, allow plant operators to identify factors affecting equipment performance more quickly and accurately. The latest generation control technologies help improve operating flexibility, reduce maintenance costs through enhanced ability to detect equipment malfunctions, and allows operators to reduce equipment operating stress, thereby helping to extend equipment life.

SIZE:
Used with all plant sizes.

FEATURES:
Improves heat rate from 0.5-1% on average, but for systems with pneumatic controls, heat rate can improve up to 5%.

COST:
$1-4 million/unit

CURRENT USAGE:
Modern instrumentation and control systems are in use in many countries, including the United States,

POTENTIAL USAGE:
Broad applicability. Research and development continues towards continually improving instrumentation and control systems.

ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTING ACTION

• If capacity factor significantly increases, regulators may classify facilities as new thereby requiring either a new or review of the existing permitting.

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT

EMISSION EFFECT:
    

CONDITIONS FOR EMISSIONS MITIGATION:

• Reduces emissions through better management of combustion process and pollution control equipment.

EMISSION ESTIMATE:
Varies according to a utility's generating fuel mix.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS:
N/A

SECONDARY EFFECTS:
Varies according to a utility's generating mix.

RESOURCES

• The Electric Power Research Institute is sponsoring research and development of improved plant instrumentation and control equipment. Some information is available through their website at http://www.epri.com/csg/pq/targ-jnt.html

CONTACTS

Electric Power Research Institute
Bill Winnerling
Power Quality Area Manager
Palo Alto, CA
Tel: (650) 855-2075
wwinnerl@epri.com
http://www.epri.com