Digital transformation improves plant availability and enhances MEAG Power’s diverse generation fleet
PITTSBURGH (Dec. 8, 2021) — The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) has selected Emerson (NYSE:EMR), a global software, technology and engineering leader, to modernize and optimize operations at its Wansley Unit 9 combined cycle power plant. MEAG Power’s investment is critical for the continued reliable delivery of competitive wholesale electricity to member communities across the state of Georgia. Emerson’s Ovation™ software and technologies will help to digitally transform the Georgia plant through more flexible operations, improved process efficiency and enhanced cybersecurity.
The 500-megawatt Wansley natural gas-fueled power station is an essential part of MEAG Power’s diverse generation portfolio – delivering 69% emissions-free power – but obsolete generation controls have impacted the plant’s availability and financial performance. Dependable, flexible operations are critical to meeting fast-changing market demands and the region’s growing power needs. To support the reliability and diversity of MEAG Power’s generation portfolio as it transitions to an even cleaner portfolio, Emerson will upgrade the Wansley Unit 9 control system to a modern, integrated Ovation solution.
“Natural gas generation is a crucial part of our diverse energy mix that will play a meaningful role as we transition to a higher percentage of non-emitting generation,” said Steve Jackson, MEAG Power’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “Modernizing the Wansley Unit 9 combined cycle plant with Emerson’s proven, advanced Ovation automation platform will enable us to continue providing reliable and competitively priced power to our 49 Participant communities, ensuring long-term success.”
As part of the contract, Emerson will replace the legacy balance-of-plant, steam turbine controls, gas turbine controls, as well as the generator excitation and burner management and vibration monitoring systems at Wansley Unit 9 with a unified Ovation automation platform. Incorporating Emerson’s condition monitoring solution into the control system will translate into greater visibility of asset health. An advanced power application will use predictive model-based control software to optimize operational flexibility and process efficiency by managing steam temperature during load changes created by renewable energy variability.
Robust cybersecurity technologies are integral to Emerson’s comprehensive solution that is designed to enhance and secure operations at Wansley Unit 9.
“MEAG Power’s forward-thinking approach to meeting future capacity and energy requirements balances the stability of natural gas power generation with the variability of renewable resources,” said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson’s power and water business. “Our advanced, integrated platform of digitally transformative software and technologies will optimize the operations at the Wansley natural-gas fired unit, enabling more reliable and efficient delivery of energy to their member partners.”
The Wansley Unit 9 modernization project is expected to be completed in 2022.
Emerson has been ranked the leading distributed control systems provider for the global power generation industry, according to Omdia.1
1Omdia, Distributed Control Systems Report, 2020. Market share based on revenue. Results are not an endorsement of Emerson. Any reliance on these results is at the third-party’s own risk.
