GE
Energy
Mark* VIe Integrated Control
System (ICS) for IWPP
The Mark VIe ICS is GE Energy’s newest and most advanced
plant control system. When applied in Independent Water
and Power Plants (IWPP), it provides a common control
platform for control of the rotating machinery, heat recovery
steam generators (HRSGs), power island balance of plant
(BOP), and desalinization units. This simplifies operation and
maintenance, and reduces initial and life-cycle cost of the
plant equipment.
The ICS combines the best attributes of turbine and generator
controls (reliability, availably, and speed) with the flexible and
distributed properties available in a plant-wide distributed
control system (DCS). Advanced model-based control
techniques are used to optimize the performance, operability,
and availability of the unit and plant equipment. These
techniques provide better fuel flexibility, faster startup,
reduced emissions, improved turndown capability, and
enhanced grid response. This single control system provides
seamless integration of software on common networks,
operator stations, and engineering tools.
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Typical IWPP Topology
fact sheet
Control Architecture
The same control hardware and software is used for the
turbine, generator, and plant controls. It uses distributed I/O
on 100 MB Ethernet and a variety of Fieldbus solutions.
Controllers and I/O can be configured for simplex, dual, or
triple redundancy, and can be scaled from a small system to
a large plant control. Controllers can be centralized in one
controlled environment or distributed through the plant with
the I/O. Since all equipment is configured and controlled with
a common tool set, all data is synchronized to ±1 ms,
enabling quick data interpretation and faster recovery from
problem events.
Controllers for turbine, generator, and plant controls
communicate peer-to-peer on an Ethernet-based control
network, and share a common ControlST* software suite.
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 fact sheet
Software Environment
The ControlST software suite features several high-
performance tools with graphics user interface for ease of
use by operators and maintenance personnel. These tools
include the WorkstationST* application for management of
HMI and Historian functions, and the ToolboxST*
configuration and diagnostic software.

Operators can easily navigate from parameters on screens to

corresponding alarm history, trends, logic diagrams, watch
windows, and browsers by right-clicking on the variable. The
alarm management application features 20 different types of
data that can be displayed in columns and sorted to assist
readability. Filters are available to manipulate this data more
efficiently. Real-time and historical data can pass through
these filters to display only specified data types. Options for
viewing historical alarms include Pareto charts with the
alarms sorted by priority and frequency of occurrence. This
feature isolates repetitive nuisance alarms so they can be
fixed or suppressed. The Alarm Viewer can display user help
messages for process and control diagnostic Alarms to share
information about abnormal conditions.
Maintenance tools include application software represented
in SAMA/IEC self-documenting format with convenient cross
references, which are hyperlinked to navigate between data
points on different pages. Visualization of the active process
is achieved with animated block graphics, such as showing
the current point of operation on a linearization block. If
trending is needed, use the drag-and-drop operation to move
data points from the SAMA diagrams to trend displays. These
displays can capture data as fast as the application software
is running i.e. (frame rate). The trending tools not only have all
the basic compliment of features, but they also include
advanced features, such as statistical tools and spectral
analysis, which can be used to quickly isolate frequencies of
interest for analysis.
Simulation
High-fidelity simulation of the process and overall plant
performance can play a key role in verification of the system
prior to shipment. Unit and plant controls, and networking are
staged just like the system will be configured on site. The
system is then connected to dynamic simulators. The
ControlST software tools and project specific operator
screens are used in the verification process. This process
validates installation connectivity, provides a high degree of
confidence in the complete integrated system before
shipment, and reduces installation time and risk during
commissioning. This simulation can be incorporated into a
realistic training environment for operations and
maintenance personnel prior to installation, and throughout
the life of the plant.
Conclusion
The Mark VIe ICS combines the latest advanced controls
technology with the best design and operating practices for
the plant equipment. High-fidelity simulation of the integrated
control system helps optimize the design in the factory and
reduces commissioning time and risk. A common, flexible
architecture for the turbine-generators, HRSGs, power-island
BOP, and desalinization units simplifies operations and
maintenance, reduces training, and minimizes spare parts
inventory. Most of all, it provides a solid foundation for
reliable plant operations.
Benefits
• Improved performance, operability, and availability with
GE Energy’s domain knowledge in combined-cycle plant
operation
• Reduced project management cost and risk with control
system and schedule integration managed by GE Energy
• Improved productivity with an ICS for increasing plant
awareness, better integration of the processes, and
requiring fewer operators.
• Simplified operations and maintenance with a common
software suite for the power island equipment and
desalinization units
• Less mean-time-to-repair (MTTR) with a common time-
synchronized database for plant diagnostics
• Lower life-cycle cost with ongoing training and reduced
spare inventory for one control system versus multiple
systems

If further assistance or technical information is desired,

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contact the nearest GE Sales or Service Office, or an
authorized GE Sales Representative.

© 2008, General Electric Company, All rights reserved.

* Trademark of General Electric Company.

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