POWER-GEN Europe and REWE 2017

Control of Electrical Power Generation and Distribution at a Large Sewage Treatment Facility (Room A)

28 Jun 17
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Tracks: Track G - Modern Plant Management

Speaker(s): Robert Thornton Jones, Head of Technology: Controls, Brush

The sewage treatment site covering 50 hectares and serving nearly 2 million people is one of the largest in the Europe. Over half of the electrical power consumed on the site is provided by 3 new CHP generators which utilise biogas produced by the site to maximum possible extent. Although the site is connected to the national power grid network site processes are part of the critical infrastructure for the city where avoidance of flooding during periods of high rainfall and avoidance of discharge of untreated sewage are particular priorities. A secure electric supply is therefore essential and with this objective the site is also equipped with a number of diesel generating sets which are able to support the site process load when needed. The paper explains the design philosophy of the electrical power generation system used concentrating upon the automation aspects implemented using a power and energy management system. The paper includes description of the following: 1. Different types of generators on the site are described. Information is provided on the different start and stop sequences implemented and the loading algorithms used for the biogas driven engines are explained. The paper discusses rate of change of load constraints when operating the biogas generators. 2. The blackout recovery and resynchronising systems implemented at the site. 3. The intelligent automation systems included on the site to enable optimum management of the grid connection so that on site power generation can be used for grid support when notification is received from the utility operator. 4. The intelligent and fast acting load shedding system employed to achieve a high integrity resilient power system able to withstand loss of generating capability.