Cooperative Energy (CE) is an electrical generation and transmission cooperative in Hattiesburg, Mississippi providing power to more than 427,000 homes and businesses. Plant Morrow began operation in 1978 with two 200 MW units fueled by Appalachian coal. The plant served as a stable, reliable source of electricity for Cooperative Energy Members for over 40 years.
This case study explains how a Model Predictive and Neural Network Based controller, AVEVA™ APC was used to improve plant efficiency and lower CO2 and NOx emissions at the plant located in Hattiesburg. Mississippi. Four optimization projects were completed at the plant: Heat Rate Control Optimization, Soot Blower Optimization, Over-Fire Air Optimization and Cooling Tower Optimization.
Goals
- Improve plant efficiency and lower CO2 and NOx emissions
- Increase net power generation
- Minimize system demands placed on the operator and achieve more consistent operations
Challenges
- Improve plant efficiency while maintaining steam temperatures and remaining within CO2 and NOx emissions
- Improve unit operation and availability when burning low-grade coal
Results
- Heat rate improvements in the range of 0.90 to 1.60%
- NOx reductions of approximately 10% across the load range.
- Over $330,000 in additional annual revenue
“Depending on the load, potential heat rate improvements up to 1.6% are expected. This benefit will provide a project payback of less than one year.”
Bill Poe,
AVEVA APC Consultant
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