| Title | Remote Monitoring and Control of the Kakkonda Geothermal Power Plants |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shinji Nishikawa, Toshiyuki Takahashi, Takeshi Koi and Katsuyoshi Yamada |
| Year | 2000 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Geothermal power plant, remote monitoring, control systems, operations, Kakkonda |
| Abstract | Geothermal power plants are generally sited in secluded and scattered mountainous areas where it is inconvenient for operation and maintenance personnel to reside. As there is less concern about safety in geothermal power plants due to their lower steam pressures and temperatures, and simpler plant systems and operation compared with fossil fuel thermal power plants, remote monitoring and control systems can be utilized. At Unit No. 2 of Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.ís Kakkonda project there is a remote monitoring room in the town of Shizukuishi located 23 kilometers from the power station. Operation and maintenance personnel are usually in the remote monitoring room. Normal load operation and emergency shutdown can be carried out from the remote monitoring room. Start up and normal shut down operation must be carried out from the central control room of the power station. Maintenance personnel go to the power station for daily patrols and periodical testing. In case of abnormal plant conditions, the maintenance personnel immediately go to the power station for troubleshooting. There are two independent communication lines between the power station and the remote monitoring room, which allow the remote monitoring and control of the unit. A remote monitoring console which has CRTís, recorders, alarm windows, control stations, and industrial television monitors is used for operation and monitoring from the remote monitoring room. |