New predictive monitoring system for all SSE power plants

Lisle, Illinois – Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has engaged SmartSignal Corp to install its SmartSignal EPI*Center Predictive Analytic software to protect SSE’s entire large thermal fleet. SmartSignal will be monitoring all 6.5 GW at all SSE coal and CCGT plants in the UK. In addition, SSE will be using SmartSignal’s xConnector.

SmartSignal implemented the first CCGT 2X1 unit at Medway within two weeks and is proceeding with implementation of a coal-fired unit, Unit 4 of Fiddler’s Ferry. These units will be hosted at SmartSignal’s in-house Availability & Performance Center prior to transitioning to SSE’s own central monitoring centre in Ferrybridge. SSE plans to implement the remainder of the fleet this year.  

EPI*Center is said to provide early and actionable warnings of impending equipment and process problems and helps users avoid surprise equipment failures. The product, claims SmartSignal, increases availability and reliability, reduces unplanned outages, and minimises maintenance expenses.

xConnector allows SSE and all PI users to access SmartSignal intelligence directly in their PI ProcessBook and PI WebParts screens. This also provides all the features of OSIsoft’s data visualisation technology and powerful trending functions to SmartSignal. 

“After a competitive review and a Test Drive, SSE determined that SmartSignal provides the capabilities they need to protect all their critical rotating and non-rotating equipment across their thermal fleet,” said SmartSignal CEO Jim Gagnard. The technology, he claimed, will make SSE’s monitoring centre one of the most powerful in the industry.

SSE engineering centre manager Neil Connolly, added: “We’re convinced that SmartSignal provides not just the technology we want, but also the flexible services we need to implement quickly and obtain fast value.

“SmartSignal’s experience is unprecedented; we look forward to joining the SmartSignal community of users and to sharing best practices and staying on the leading edge. With both EPI*Center and xConnector, we’ll get the world’s best technology, along with the ability to integrate it into existing PI screens.”