System Overview
GE Vernova's Integrated Plant Control DCS (Distributed Control System) is an efficient, consistent, and secure solution for managing complex plant processes.
The system improves the operational efficiency of critical subsystems by responding to load changes in real time and maintaining optimal conditions at every stage of the water/steam cycle.
Core Control Functions
1. Boiler Control and Protection
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Burner management, ignition system control
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Steam pressure monitoring and regulation
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Boiler blowdown control to reduce corrosion and impurity accumulation
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Furnace purge, flame monitoring, boiler trip protection
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Automatic water level and steam pressure adjustment to reduce accident risks
2. Water/Steam Circulation Control and Protection
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Covering main steam, auxiliary steam, feedwater pumps, high/low pressure heating, condensing, deaerator, and other systems
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Maximizes the conversion of boiler energy into turbine power
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Equipped with fail-safe logic, self-diagnostics, and fault reporting
3. Auxiliary System Control
Can replace PLC controllers, managing:
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Water treatment, wastewater treatment, air compressors, continuous emissions monitoring systems, emergency diesel generators, etc.
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Material handling systems such as coal ash conveying and stackers
4. Power Distribution Management
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Manages medium and low voltage switchgear to ensure power supply sequencing and safety
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Supports automatic/manual switching, automatically enabling backup power in the event of a fault
5. Steam turbine auxiliary control
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Controls for lubricating oil, jacking oil, cranking gear, shaft seal steam, generator cooling, and other systems
6. Flue gas desulfurization integration
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Supports limestone and seawater desulfurization systems
MARK Vle control system features
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Highly customizable: Flexible configuration of controllers and I/O cards
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Environmentally adaptable: Suitable for -30°C to 65°C and hazardous areas
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Flexible network: Supports fiber/copper cables, with deterministic 100MB bandwidth
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Redundancy configuration:
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Triple modular redundancy (TMR) supports SIL3 safety level
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Dual redundancy and simplex modes optional
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Online replacement: Faulty modules can be replaced online, reducing downtime
Predix platform support
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Cloud-based industrial IoT platform
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Supports asset performance management, operational optimization, and business optimization
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Provides a unified operator interface and network architecture
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Supports remote diagnostics and software upgrades (via the GE Vernova App Store)
Cybersecurity
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The control system is hardened
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Most controllers are protected by Achilles Certification
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Various cybersecurity options available
Customer Case Studies
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Deployed in over 250 projects worldwide
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Recommended cases include:
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PPP 10: Managing 35,000 I/Os, supporting a 4,188 MW combined cycle power plant
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Duke Edwardsport: Supporting a coal gasification combined cycle, 25,000 I/Os
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Marafiq: The world's largest combined hydropower plant, 35,000 I/Os
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EDF Bouchain: Setting a Guinness World Record with a combined cycle efficiency of 62%
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Treasure Coast Energy Center: Reducing commissioning costs and enabling remote diagnostics
