Control system for Drax Biomass facility
16 Jun 2011
Capula have been working with Drax Power Limited to deliver process control and real-time data management systems for their new biomass co-firing plant.
The project represents a multi-million pound investment by Drax Power Limited to build the largest biomass co-firing project in the world, capable of handling around 1.5 million tonnes of biomass each year. Fuel can be received either by road tanker or rail, enabling biomass to be directly injected into the six coal-fired boilers to be co-fired with the pulverised coal.
The biomass co-firing plant will enable Drax to make a significant contribution to the UK’s renewable energy targets and a meaningful reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide. Alongside existing co-firing capacity, the new 400MW co-firing facility has the capability to generate 12.5% of Drax’s power output from biomass fuels, which include sustainable forestry residues and residual agricultural products, such as straw, sunflower seed and peanut husks, and purpose-grown energy crops, such as miscanthus.
Capula was originally selected by Drax Power and the two nominated EPC contractors (Alstom Power & C Spencer Ltd) to provide the process control and real-time data management systems which enable the new plant to be operated efficiently and safely, while providing the fuel accountancy for all materials processed by the plant.
We delivered an integrated control system (incorporating both Schneider & ABB technology) with the ability to control the new plant areas whilst interfacing and integrating with the existing six generating control systems and materials handling systems at Drax Power Station. We are now making a number of refinements and enhancements to the system in line with Drax’s on-going business objectives.
“Capula is a long term control and operational IT systems partner to Drax Power Limited with a relationship spanning more than 15 years,” said Capula’s Chief Executive Roger Turner, “The intimate knowledge gained during previous key projects with Drax made Capula an obvious choice to design and commission this fully integrated solution in what is landmark venture for the UK.”
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