Avantha Power, part of the
Avantha Group, has selected
Rockwell Automation as its
automation provider for the utility's
balance of plant applications for the
next three years. The $2.5-million
estimated investment allows Avantha
Power to adopt a common control
platform for its entire BOP system,
improving plant-wide optimization as
well as reducing lifecycle costs.
"Avantha Power is aiming to achieve
an installed capacity close to 4,000
mw of power in the next five years, so
uptime and reliability are key goals,"
explained Randy Selesky, Director,
Power & Energy, Rockwell
Automation. "By standardizing its
BoP systems on a single, open control
platform that is field-proven, Avantha
Power staff can enjoy the reduced
maintenance time that comes with
improved system flexibility."
The Rockwell Automation
Integrated Architecture system will
monitor and control up to nine BOP
applications, including coal handling,
ash handling, mill reject, water
treatment and fire protection
systems, at the company's two coalbased
thermal power projects, each
consisting of two 600-mw units being
set up at Raigarh, Chhattisgarh and
Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
The Integrated Architecture
system can be easily replicated in
both facilities, reducing engineering
time significantly, a Rockwell
Automation statement noted.
Besides, operators will require
training on just one control system
for all BOP applications. The system
can be managed from a single, central
location using one standard
EtherNet/IP network to ease
dataflow throughout the facility for
improved troubleshooting and
reduced downtime.
"Leveraging an integrated BOP
solution rather than traditional nonintegrated
islands of automation is an
innovative trend in the Indian power
generation industry," said Partha
Bhaumik, Power Industry Manager,
Rockwell Automation India.
The two greenfield power plants
will begin commercial operations over
an 18-month period, beginning in
March 2012.