Harvard Blackstone Steam Plant Cambridge, Massachusetts

Requirements:

Constructed in the late 1800’s the Blackstone Central Steam & Electric Plant provides steam and electricity to Harvard’s Medical & Science Research Facilities. The Central Steam Plant required a new 7,000 KWe Power Generation System consisting of a 5,000 KW 4160 volt steam turbine generator and a 2,000 KW, 480 Volt standby diesel generator set. Power Control Management via PEECO’s Freedom iGear paralleling switchgear with master control of all power generation sources. The new control system required PEECO’s Freedom iGear to parallel in an existing 2,000KW electric generating plant and the incoming electric utility in a closed transition re-transfer application.

Solution:

PEECO worked with Siemens PTD group and Harvard’s Blackstone Steam Plant engineer’s to engineer in a high level of control, reliability and redundancy into there new power plant. The team agreed to PEECO’s design approach of three (3) levels of control in terms of supervisory/ management, automation and manual override redundancy.

First level of supervision is achieved with a custom 17 inch Touch Screen display that enables complete status and control of the power plant. The control screens mimics the actual system and allows the operator the freedom of complete preprogrammed automation.

The second level is the actual PLC and various discreet protective relays and controls that will allow Harvard full performance operation of the system if the touch-screen is taken out of operation.

The third level relies on conventional manual control via speed and voltage control, sync scope, switchboard meters and breaker control switches. This third level of redundancy is commonly used in the utility industry and has been an important design philosophy within PEECO for more than 30 years. This 3rd level approach provides Harvard with an operational sequence that improves uptime and insures the highest degree of reliability regardless of control circumstances.

PEECO Equipment:

PEECO engineered and provided Freedom iGear medium and low voltage paralleling controls for all prime movers in the power plant. The system was integrated around Siemens WL series metal-enclosed gear at PEECO’s Aston, PA. facility and then shipped directly to the Blackstone plant in Cambridge, MA. Coordination of the delivery and start up services was also provided by PEECO.

Result:

Harvard Blackstone Steam Plant Management Team considered the project and the PEECO Freedom iGear system a first class success. The project was on time and on budget. The project team recognized PEECO’s unique engineering skills and experience of integrating a mixed collection of prime movers and brands to all work together. PEECO’s engineering and experience was a key to the plants success.