Network-based control system enhanced

Yokogawa enhances network-based control system by releasing new modules for power and upstream oil and gas applications

 Yokogawa Electric Corporation has released a number of new modules for the STARDOM™ network-based control system. The new modules include control modules with the high speed and reliability required for small- to medium-size turbomachinery, a frequency input module that can accurately measure the speed of even slowly rotating wind turbine blades, and an upgraded CPU module for oil and gas upstream processes that features improved reliability and greater memory capacity.

Development background
Recently, energy markets have been booming in developing countries. One of the reasons for this is the rising demand for electricity spurred by economic growth. As a result, there is a need for power generation facilities that can be constructed within a short timeframe. Demand for the steam turbines, hydro turbines, compressors, and other small- to medium-size turbomachinery installed in these facilities is also rising. This type of machinery is also used in renewable energy facilities such as biomass and micro-hydro plants, and in conventional oil and gas fired power plants. At the same time, the number of wind power generation installations is also increasing in emerging countries.

To satisfy these needs, Yokogawa has augmented its module lineup for STARDOM field control node (FCN) autonomous controllers by developing new modules for small- to medium-size turbomachinery and wind power generation applications. For the conventional energy market, Yokogawa also has improved the reliability and functionality of the FCN-RTU low-power autonomous controller that was developed for the control of oil and gas wellheads distributed over a wide area.

Capitalising on the enhanced functionality available with these modules, Yokogawa will expand its business in the energy industry.

Product features
1. Optimised for power industry applications
The newly developed control modules include a servo module that controls the rotational speed of small- to medium-size turbomachinery and a high-speed protection module that protects machines by detecting anomalies such as excessive rotation speeds.

The frequency input module measures rotational speeds with high accuracy (±0.1% of reading). This is true even at speeds as low as 0.1 Hz, ensuring that wind turbines can operate smoothly in all conditions, from strong winds to gentle breezes.


2. Enhanced functionality for oil and gas upstream processes
Customers in the oil and gas industries are working hard to improve maintenance efficiency for remote wells. To support them, Yokogawa has enhanced the CPU module for the FCN-RTU controller to ensure best-in-class reliability. Specifically, the module now has the same error check and correct (ECC) memory found in high-end PCs and the memory capacity has been doubled to facilitate the long-term storage of gas volume data and other on-site information.

Yokogawa has also enhanced its DNP3 software to comply with the latest DNP specifications and cover a wider range of SCADA applications.

3. Support for Windows®7
The VDS monitoring and controlling software (SCADA software) and other software for the STARDOM platform now support Windows®7, thus ensuring that engineering, operation, and monitoring can all be performed under the latest operating system.