Siemens’ New Release of SPPA-T3000 R7.2 Control System Focuses Even More on the HMI

Siemens has launched the SPPA-T3000 R7.2, a new release of its power plant control system. This new release focuses even more on the human-machine interface (HMI). New functions and simplified operations will help control room personnel perform their day-to-day work more efficiently and more effectively, and react reliably and more quickly in critical situations. The new SPPA-T3000 R7.2 will be part of all of Siemens' new power generation control solutions and can also be integrated or retrofitted to existing control systems.

Tough competition is placing increasingly demanding requirements on power plant operators. Therefore, the perfect control system must meet the needs of an optimal human-machine interface. SPPA-T3000 R7.2 has an impressive ergonomic design and now features additional functions, such as inventive alarm handling, Trip Stop buttons or integrated plant diagnostics. The new features in the SPPA-T3000 R7.2 include integrated functions like shift management, condition monitoring of the power plant components and diagnostics tools, alarm displays, classification of messages, alarm indicators and customizable display of the functions.

Daily shift handovers are managed intelligently and efficiently using R7.2. During a shift changeover, operators are given a rapid up-to-date overview of the condition of the plant, alarm messages, as well as the shift schedule and available resources. Pending repairs and open tasks can be added to the task list of the following shift with just a single mouse-click, thus saving time, reducing the error rate and promoting safety.

The "Diagnostic Recommended" function reports the smallest unexpected changes in condition even before DCS limit values are reached. A click of the mouse opens a text field with root-cause analysis to help to remedy the problem. Further diagnostics tools, called "Advanced diagnostics," can be integrated and allow a more detailed fault analysis. By providing a more transparent picture of the plant's current and emerging condition, these two functions help to increase plant availability.

SPPA-T3000 R7.2 also enables direct access to other Siemens control systems, such as PCS7 as well as to applications and systems provided by other vendors. Thus, the control room operators have a clear picture of all their plants processes at any one time without leaving their desk.

Displays showing the plant's most important key performance indicators, such as production data, plant efficiency, unit output, emissions or other data are now positioned in the upper frame, so that they are always in view and give the operator the best possible assistance. The enhanced ergonomic design enables a clearly arranged display of all vital functions as well as a fast root-cause analysis with only one mouse click

Keywords: Power Plant Operators, Control Room Staff, Power Generation, Control Solutions, Shift Management, Condition Monitoring, Root-Cause Analysis, ARC Advisory Group.