State-of-the-art automation & control systems have to guarantee the simple and safe operation of a hydro power plant.
Typically there are different possibilities for local control (e.g. unit control board) as well as remote control (central control room and/or dispatching centre).
In emergency situations the system has to lead the corresponding part of the plant to a predefined, safe operating state automatically.
The essential requirements to a hydro power plant automation & control system are easy adaptation to the existing plant and separation into independent functional parts. The overall control of the plant needs to take care of operational regulations as well as the primary systems (e.g. unit, dam gate) require an integrated control of these parts.
All process signals should be managed without multiple engineering.
In order to allow an easy future expansion, the local and remote communication of the system has to be based on international communication standards.
Reduction of spare parts by using one hardware platform as well as the reduction of maintenance and service activities by integrated remote diagnostic functions should reduce the maintenance costs to a minimum.
Step-by-step expansion and the integration of further parts of the plant (e.g. switch yard, station service) should easily be possible at any time.
The Common Solution
Dividing the overall system into autonomous functional areas increases the availability of the total plant. The definition of different functional areas are the result of your structural conditions and depends on your primary technology (units, dam gates, switchyard). In normal operation, the corresponding part of the process is monitored and controlled, whereas in case of emergency, switchover to a safe operation state will be performed. Our Products
In addition to the basis layout of the unit control board (compact or decentralised, singular or redundant configuration), the availability can additionally be increased by subsplitting the unit control board into functional islands. Direct process and transformer interfaces (binary 220 VDC, VT/CT 100/110/220 VAC, 1/5 A) cut down the costs of the process interface level by reduction of interposing relays, transducers and terminal points. Modern touch panel PC's are used as the standard solution for the local control.
The HMI system in the local control room of the power plant can be configured as compact system or as a redundant multi-user system. Based on project experience over many years we can easily adapt our standards to your operational requirements (process displays, user guidance, alarming concept, reporting, ...).
The automation of the functional area switchyard is based on the proven centralised or decentralised configurations using the same hardware platform as the unit control board.
The automation & control system SICAM 1703 is characterised by innovative system concepts, 32-Bit multi-processor technology, powerful communication capabilities and one unique engineering tool. Based on optimised mechanical modular design, signal numbers adapted to the process needs and direct process interfaces (e.g. voltage transformer) the system ideally fits for decentralised as well as centralised concepts. Due to design for industrial use, the system withstands the climatic and electro-magnetical environmental conditions easily.
The 200 product family represents a full-featured modern SCADA-system for hydro power plants. Integrated scalability allowing the use in all applications leading from local operation via touch-panel through local control rooms to huge main control centres and ergonomically HMI-concepts are the basis for safe operation of the process.
The HyNET product family is the basis of the safe communication in the power plant automation system. It interconnects all internal relevant components inside and outside of the plant. The communication concept makes use of LAN/WAN-technologies as well as conventional communication and will be especially selected and adapted according to the plant requirements
The TOOLBOX II product family provides most modern software tools for data management, system engineering and comprehensive system diagnosis, supporting the engineering and service staff.
