Developing the Smarter Power Plant of the Future
Mitsubishi Power has led the development of the smarter power plant of the future by utilizing our proven technological history, validation on our own grid-connected power plant and an intense focus on reliability and cybersecurity.
In Japan, where the Kakogawa River meets the sea, sits a power plant like no other – T-Point 2. It is here that Mitsubishi Power is using TOMONI® intelligent solutions to create the smarter power plant of the future.
T-Point 2 is routinely dispatched to support the grid, often in DSS modes with twice-daily starts, so it is the ideal proving ground for the thermal power plant of the future.
Mitsubishi Power’s T-Point 2: The World’s Smartest Power Plant
Mitsubishi Power’s T-Point 2 is on a continuing journey to learn more and has been operating commercially since July 1, 2020. Many existing elements of Mitsubishi Power’s TOMONI® suite of intelligent solutions were integrated into T-Point 2, and new solutions are being planned for future validation on T-Point 2.
Since its inception, T-Point 2 has been a proving ground for TOMONI, and a wide range of technology has been applied. In fact, its predecessor plant the original T-Point hosted some earlier TOMONI solutions in past years. Much of that validated technology is now deployed on operating power plants, more is being refined currently at T-Point 2 and new technologies are being identified for future application. T-Point 2 has a total plant data platform for intensive data acquisition and integration. And T-Point 2 has a full connection to the Mitsubishi Takasago Machinery Works TOMONI HUB, including remote operation of the plant from the TOMONI HUB.
T-Point 2 is the first advanced-class GTCC plant with full Netmation 4S (Safety, Smartness, Scalability, Stability) DCS and equipment control systems. These provide a secure platform with a gateway for data communications and access to TOMONI edge solutions such as the AI-CPFM (automatic combustion dynamics control system) and, GT Cooling Air AI-Optimization (automatic control of gas turbine cooling air flow). And it opens the door for future application of digital solutions for advanced O&M, performance improvement and flexible operation.
The combination of T-Point 2 and TOMONI is achieving all its objectives, and the journey for T-Point 2 continues. This is a long-term journey with great potential benefits for the entire industry. Many of the TOMONI intelligent solutions validated at T-Point are already being applied to enhance asset management of existing power plants to improve their reliability, make them more flexible, reduce their carbon emissions and lower their O&M costs – better positioning them to support the clean energy transition.
It’s smart.
As a technology pioneer, Mitsubishi Power has decades of experience in applying remote monitoring, advanced digital control systems, predictive analytics and AI to provide truly intelligent solutions that support better decision-making. TOMONI® performs automated optimization of key parameters such as combustion dynamics and part load heat rate; enables shifts to condition-based maintenance; enables the optimal mix of systems and humans, analyzing all of the data collected by today’s smarter power plants to create powerful actionable insights.
Advancements in digital sensing, control and communication, along with advancements in machine learning and AI, are increasingly enabling optimal connections between physical equipment, digital systems and human activities. You may wonder what the definition of a smart power plant is. A smart power plant will require less expert people on-site and will automate routine tasks to free up the on-site personnel to focus on the most important tasks. It will be able to take corrective action automatically on many time-critical processes and define and direct its own maintenance needs using predictive analytics and AI-based planning and scheduling tools. It will also be fully aware of fleet, grid, market and environment status and aware of its capabilities to meet the real-time needs of the grid to take advantage of real-time market opportunities.
It’s proven.
Mitsubishi Power is the only OEM validating new smart systems at our own grid-connected power plant. Tomorrow’s smarter power plants will be more intelligent, efficient and fault tolerant to deliver superior returns to their Owners.
Dozens of digital solutions have already been operated and validated at T-Point, and are being applied to more operating power plants every year. Newly installed TOMONI® solutions at T-Point 2 are currently focused on several key areas:
- AI-enabled solutions for advanced control of critical subsystems
- Advanced data analysis and visualization to enhance proactive O&M management
- Automated energy management strategies for optimally integrating smart thermal power plants with grid requirements.
It’s secure.
We build on the world-class cybersecurity of our software and platform partners, deploying the latest upgrades of our DIASYS Netmation control system for the highest level of cybersecurity, giving you confidence in your smart power plant.
DIASYS, which stands for Digital Intelligent Automation System, is a distributed control system that is focused on achieving the high reliability and flexibility that enables high operational utilization. We have installed this system at more than 2,500 locations in 60 different countries.
DIASYS Netmation 4S as a robust edge control, combined with the cloud-based data visualization and advanced analytics of TOMONI, is a solution that meets the needs of plant operators for remote collaboration. As with our gas turbines and other intelligent solutions, we are implementing DIASYS Netmation 4S at T-Point 2, where it is controlling the entire GTCC plant.
Netmation leverages what we know as a plant manufacturer, what we’ve learned in validation testing at T-Point and what we know from working with customers. The advanced control systems are combined with an excellent human interface and are the data source that allows TOMONI analytics and web applications to access information that can quickly provide guidance on a full range of O&M issues.
A key thing about Netmation is that it is built with security and safety in mind, in compliance with global cybersecurity standards such as NERC-CIP. It was the first monitoring and control system to satisfy stringent hardware and software standards as well as the safety standards of IEC 61508 (2010) for thermal power plants in Japan. These international functional safety standards are a third-party testing and certification that power plants can rely on.
Many of the safety and security features of the latest version of DIASYS Netmation are already being applied in whole or in part to upgrade existing control systems based on joint prioritization to meet customer objectives.
