Power plant fleet management

Power plant vendors are producing sophisticated controllers with web enabled remote management. While a web based graphical user interface (GUI) is an excellent tool to configure, view or troubleshoot a single power plant, it is not helpful for a large network employing thousands of power plants. Any change in the network or programming can be accomplished manually by logging in to each plant one-at-a-time. The labor and time required to conduct a parameter change or software update can be an expensive undertaking. While most power plants have SNMP reporting capabilities, making changes to the configuration of present generation controllers can be a complicated endeavor. Consistency is dependent on the attention to details of the installation technician. In a large, national organization, this is a significant variable that cannot be resolved with training and processes alone. An element manager is required to maximize automation and M2M interaction. A server based application called “Adept” was developed to discover and manage devices that have only a human GUI and SNMP. Experience with over 3000 power plants now enumerated on the platform are reviewed along with various errors and omissions that are regularly found. Incorrect field programming of power plants can result in site failure due to erroneous operation. SNMP destinations may be set wrong thus sending alarm traps awry. The ability to review all power plants in a spreadsheet style view allows the power manager to resolve out-of-tolerance conditions before they have a negative impact on battery life; cause equipment failure, outage or waste energy. For instance, sorting battery temperature can uncover incorrect HVAC operation, a condition the NOCC would not be aware of until failure. It also ensures that all free cooled sites have temperature compensation enabled. The case is made that any new generation of power plant controller would require inherent M2M management, minimizing reliance on- humans for data fill and providing a network view of all power plants. Synchronization with complimentary databases such as the site equipment inventory, and providing a greater depth of situational awareness for all stakeholders becomes a natural conclusion.