Utmost availability for Otahuhu B Power
Station thanks to AVR replacement
Electrical Solutions Reference
Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical
SPPA-E3000 Excitation Systems and Startup
Frequency Converters
replaces the AVR of the Otahuhu Power Station
and offers an innovative solution that supports
the availability of the plant.
The Result
■ Reduced obsolescence risk
thanks to replacement of
obsolete AVR
The Plant
Otahuhu Power Station is owned by Contact
Energy Ltd., the largest power generating
company in New Zealand, and consists of two
units. Otahuhu A was commissioned in 1968 as
the first large gas turbine power station in
Australasia. Today, the gas turbines are retired,
while the generators remain in use to provide
reactive power to the grid. The gas-fired
combined cycle power plant Otahuhu B went
on line in 1997. This 400 MW power station
is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and
one of the most efficient in the world.
situation and components needing replacement
were thoroughly analyzed, thus making a
perfect fit of the new AVR to the existing
components possible. This allowed the present
power section to be retained and integrated in
the new control part.
The new AVR with proven S7-based technology
reduced the obsolescence risk of the plant
considerably. In addition, high spare parts
availability and ongoing support for the new
system via Remote Expert Center ensure utmost
availability.
Thanks to their long-term experience and
expertise, the project team was able to install
and commission the new AVR despite a very
tight schedule in just 22 days of outage time.
■ Utmost availability thanks
to spare parts availability
and ongoing remote
support
■ Minimized outage time
thanks to optimized project
implementation
The Task
Since the SIMADYN-D control part of the
compact unit (Static Excitation and Startup
Frequency Converter) in Otahuhu B was obsolete, it was necessary to upgrade the system.
The available options were either the total
replacement of the whole system or only of the
control part. The second option, also known as
AVR replacement, was preferred as it would be
possible to keep the existing power section.
This modernization should thereby secure the
reliable and efficient continuous operation of
the Otahuhu Power Station.
Our Solution
By adopting the solution SPPA-E3000 Excitation
Systems and Startup Frequency Converters the
replacement of the AVR was accomplished
within a short amount of time.
The existing AVR was uninstalled, while the new
control part was designed, configured and tailored to the Otahuhu Power Station. The initial
“A very successful project: It
met all our expectations and
considerably reduced the
obsolescence risk of the plant.
Getting the unit back in service
on schedule and commissioned
without incident meant Contact
Energy could meet its generation commitments.”
Alan Brown, Project Manager
Contact Energy Ltd.
Answers for energy.
Published by and copyright © 2012:
Siemens AG, Energy Sector
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
For more information contact
sppa-e3000.energy@siemens.com
www.siemens.com/energy/sppa-e3000
Siemens AG
Fossil Power Generation
Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical
Siemensallee 84
76187 Karlsruhe, Germany
E307_FR_Otahuhu-Excit-SFC_e_V1-0
Order no. E50001-G230-A311-X-4A00
Printed in Germany
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the property of Siemens AG, its affiliates, or
their respective owners.
Subject to change without prior notice.
The information in this document contains
general descriptions of the technical options available,
which may not apply in all cases.
The required technical options should therefore
be specified in the contract.