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Process Control and Monitoring System Refurbishment for RWE nPower

Capula has supplied and implemented a new control system for RWE npower at Tilbury Power Station.

Tilbury is a coal-fired power station located on the north bank of the River Thames in Tilbury, Essex. The station was commissioned in the late 1960s and was constructed with four generating units (units 7,8,9 and 10). Unit 7 is currently mothballed. It has three 350MW generating units that can generate 1,428MW of electricity, which is enough to meet the needs of 1.4 million; people, the equivalent of 80% of the population of Essex.

Until very recently the life expectancy of Tilbury was limited. However, recent upturns in the electricity generation market, combined with its strategic location in the south-east of England, means it is enjoying a new lease of life. Significant investment is now being made at the station to ensure it remains operational well into the 21st century.

The modern control system implemented by Capula will give RWE npower the reliability and flexibility to operate Tilbury efficiently and in line with environmental legislation in today's ever-changing and demanding generation market.

The existing control desk and cabinets were removed and replaced with a new control system consisting of a single integrated operator display system and an industry standard plant base control platform. A hardwired emergency shutdown panel, integrated with the main control desk, was also installed.