An on-line, intelligent plant economic advisor for total plant optimization

A key aspect of the total plant optimization problem is the impact that plant operators can have on overall plant efficiency. Usually, plant systems are operated on a system by system basis and operators are tasked primarily with keeping the plant on-line. Though many units have installed on-line performance monitoring systems to help improve thermal efficiency, operators are often relatively ill-informed of the impact their action can have on plant economic performance. Additionally, the inter-relationships between plant sub-systems are rarely incorporated into operational strategies. in order to truly optimize total plant operation, the impact of, and the inter-relationships between thermal efficiency, plant emissions, and plant materials handling (e.g., waste disposal/sales) must all be simultaneously evaluated. This paper presents the development effort to data for the Plant Economic Optimization Advisor (PEOA). PEOA is an electronic performance support system, currently under development by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and DHR Technologies, Inc. PEOA provides users with on-line control strategies for achieving least cost plant operation. PEOA uses innovative approaches for plant optimization, as well as an Operations Advisor to guide operators toward optimal plant operation. PEOA also includes on-line data monitoring and analysis tools. The system uses a client/server, object-orientedmore » open architecture that integrates plant information systems and provides support for integration of legacy third party systems, such as performance monitors. PEOA is designed as a low cost addition to legacy performance monitoring systems.« less