Emerson Making Virtual Power Plant a Reality with Industry’s First Integrated Control and Simulation
Platform
Emerson’s Ovation™ simulation platform gives operators real-time, virtual way to evaluate different
operating strategies before implementing them, reducing operational risks and improving power plant reliability
With the introduction of the industry’s first integrated control and simulation platform, Emerson (NYSE: EMR) has positioned
owners of coal, combined cycle and other power generation facilities around the globe to fundamentally change how they operate
their power plants. Sales of Ovation™ high-fidelity embedded simulation have more than doubled in the past year, signaling
significant demand for the virtual power plant of the future and its value in minimizing risk and improving power plant
reliability.
“As customers seek improved performance in areas like unit and fleet availability, flexible operations and workforce
effectiveness, virtual simulation tools will provide them unprecedented insight into their operations,” said Bob Yeager, president,
Power & Water, Emerson Automation Solutions. “Our customers will go beyond real-time information to anticipate and test the
future before it happens, improving their ability to meet growing demand.”
According to a 2016 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report, global electricity demand will see a 69 percent
increase by 2040, putting further pressure on reliable generation. While the trend toward renewables offers energy resource
diversity, cycling traditional power plants due to the variability of renewable sources on the grid has proven to increase stress
on production equipment, increasing maintenance costs and adding risk of unplanned outages.
“With new generation assets coming online around the world, the industry will likely be challenged to find experienced
operators,” continued Yeager. “Emerson is improving operator effectiveness and confidence while reducing operating risks through
intelligent control systems, more realistic training and simulation platforms, and easier-to-use technologies.”
In the virtual power plant of the future, the high-fidelity Ovation power plant simulator will run in parallel with the Ovation
control system. Operators can test control logic changes in advance based on real-time plant data to ensure their changes won’t
disrupt operations or cause a forced outage. Other Emerson technologies such as pattern recognition, Pervasive Sensing™ and
analytical tools will enhance the experience to allow plant operators to virtually experience what may happen in their operation
before it does.
Emerson is also the only company that offers a single automation platform for both control and simulation, reducing complexity
while allowing power generators to run their plants smarter and more efficiently.
“Decades of deep collaboration with our customers in the power and water industries has given us tremendous insight into what
they need from their automation supplier,” continued Yeager. “Emerson will continue to lead innovation that helps to fundamentally
improve the way power plants are operated.”
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global technology and engineering company providing
innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Our Emerson Automation Solutions business
helps process, hybrid, and discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the environment while optimizing their
energy and operating costs. Our Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions business helps ensure human comfort and health,
protect food quality and safety, advance energy efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information visit
Emerson.com.
Editor’s Note: Follow news from Emerson’s Power & Water Solutions on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OvationUsers.
For Emerson
Denise Clarke, 512-899-0004
denise.clarke@fleishman.com
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