Synexus Global Announces Vista@Plant

The Synexus Global Division of Hatch Ltd., Renewable Power, announces the release of Vista@Plant, a new module in the Vista Decision Support System.  This software component is a real-time monitor of hydro unit and plant generating efficiency, as well as a real-time advisor for changes in unit commitment (on/off) and unit loading.

Vista@Plant can be implemented for one or more hydroelectric plants, locally or at a centralized control centre, and either independently or in concert with other Vista DSS^TM modules.

The application is a background service, configured to assess the plant and unit performance on regular intervals (e.g. one minute), and archive the results.  Vista@Plant  works by advising system operators on the best way to handle  unit loading on current synchronized units, as well as unit commitment changes so that water to wire efficiencies are improved.  Also, automated audits can be scheduled to assess historic performance in relation to pre-project baselines, based on the archived performance data.  Typically, the audit report is executed daily, weekly or monthly.

Energy gains of between 0.5% and 3% are to be expected.  For each 100 MW plant installed capacity, and for a 1% improvement, gains of 4.4 GWh/y and $220,000 per year will accrue (assuming energy prices averaging $0.050/kWh, and a 50% plant factor).  Thus, for a 500 MW plant and a 1.5% efficiency gain, the energy output would go up prorata by 32.9 GWh/y at a value of $ 1,643,000/y.