Mark* VIe Integrated Control
System (ICS)
for Combined-cycle Power Plants
fact sheet
GEA-S1200B
Information Network (PDH) - Ethernet
Operator and
Engineers Stations
Control Network (UDH ) - Ethernet
Gas Turbine, HRSG, Static Gas Turbine, HRSG,
and Generator Starter and Generator
Controls #1 Controls #2
The Mark* VIe control is GE’s vehicle for delivering the
fence-to-fence system solutions you need for performance,
operability, and availability in today’s combined- cycle
facilities. GE uses the Mark VIe Integrated Control System (ICS)
to minimize project risk and improve operability. For this
reason, end users and engineer procure constructors (EPCs)
can also use the ICS. When GE is responsible for a turnkey
power plant, it relies on the ICS for total plant control.
The controller is Energy’s control platform for a wide range of
applications from wind, hydro, gas, and steam turbines, to
complete power plant controls, including nuclear power
plants. In a combined-cycle application, it provides a common
control and protection system for the gas turbines, steam
turbine generators, heat-recovery steam generators (HRSG),
and the balance-of-plant (BOP) equipment.
While a common hardware platform reduces spare parts
costs, the real value is in the level of system integration
achieved by having a single control system for all plant
equipment.
Configuration
Historian
Condition
Monitoring
Optimization
Steam Turbine Safety Balance-of-Plant
and Generator Controller (BOP)
Controls
The operator’s productivity and operational awareness is
increased through a common interface to all of the
equipment operator screens, process data, alarms and
events, trips, and trend data. The system tools can analyze
data more thoroughly with the single database. Traditional
integration of plant and unit level controls is eliminated. This
reduces system complexity, start up problems,
commissioning time, and project risk. All of these features
contribute to simplified life-cycle maintenance and training
for the plant equipment and personnel.
GE’s combined-cycle plant design expertise coupled with
advanced controls extends the benefits to plant-wide
operational enhancements. Examples include model
predictive control to manage steam turbine stresses, reducing
the time for the gas turbine during start-up to reach full load
and emissions compliance, and advanced analytic algorithms
accommodating the increased variability in fuel sources. The
Mark VIeS safety version is SIL3-certified and available for
burner management, emergency shutdown, or life safety
systems
Experience
The Mark VIe controller was developed as an enhancement
to, and building on the success of, the Mark VI control system.
The Mark VIe controller is now the standard for turbine and
plant controls. There are over 100 combined-cycle plants
using the ICS. The largest system is an Integrated Water and
Power Plant (IWPP) with 12 7FA gas turbines in
combined-cycle operation and 29 desalination units. The
complete plant is controlled by GE Mark VIe controls.
Mark VIe Controller and I/O
The Mark VIe controller has a flexible and scalable
architecture. In combined-cycle applications, dual redundant
controllers and simplex I/O are typically used for the
Distributed Control System (DCS). Triple redundant controls
are used for turbine controls and safety systems. Distributed
I/O modules communicate on redundant 100 MB Ethernet,
and can be centralized or distributed throughout the plant.
I/O modules can operate from –30 to 65°C (-22 to 149 °F) and
time stamp discrete inputs to ±1 ms for sequence of events
reporting. I/O modules support HART®, FOUNDATION™
fieldbus, PROFIBUS™, and Modbus® protocols.
Diagnostic LEDs are provided on each module, and messages
are available to operator stations. If a fault occurs, controllers
and I/O modules can be replaced online to maximize system
availability. Network diagnostics are reported in the alarm
management system.
Operator and Engineer Workstations
The ControlST* software suite comprises several high
performance tools for ease-of-use by operators and
maintenance personnel. These tools include the
WorkstationST* application for management of HMI and
Historian functions, and the ToolboxST* application for
configuration and diagnostics. These tools are common
across the system. ControlST software provides direct
connectivity from parameters on operator screens to their
corresponding alarm history, trends, logic diagrams, watch
windows, and browsers. You can use the drag-and-drop
feature to move alarms and data on SAMA-type logic
diagrams to trends for analysis. Configuration of logic screens
with faceplates and permissives are integrated to minimize
the time required to make system changes or add new
equipment.
Asset Management
GE offers a fully integrated set of solutions for
combined-cycle plants including solutions for real-time
optimization of equipment and selected processes, condition
monitoring, and event diagnostics. A broad range of data
sources can be monitored, including condition monitors,
process control, historians, maintenance and reliability
software, spreadsheets, and operator logs.
For further assistance or technical information, contact the nearest GE Sales or Service Office, or an authorized GE Sales Representative.
© 2008 - 2014 General Electric Company, USA. All rights reserved. * Indicates a trademark of General Electric Company and/or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
GEA-S1200B Issued: Oct 2008 Revised: Jul 2014
Actionable alerts are provided when abnormalities occur.
Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Computerized
Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) are supported
with CIMPLICITY®, MRO Software’s Maximo® EAM system, the
SAP ERP system, and OPC® connectivity with data sources.
Life Cycle Support
Life cycle support programs are available including self help,
web-based access to resources, such as technical manuals
and drawings, engineering support, remote system
diagnostics, spare-parts ordering, standard and custom
training programs, cyber security and software maintenance
programs, and many other services.
Most importantly, your controls are the enabler for the life
cycle enhancements to the turbines and plant equipment
that you depend on. GE’s ongoing advances in turbine and
combined cycle technology are an integral part of the
controls for the present and in the future. Call us to see how
we can help move the boundaries of your equipment.
Cyber Security
The Cyber Security Management System meets rigorous
compliance mandates, and protects the ICS against
continuously increasing security threats. It assists with
implementation of effective security policy to ensure system
confidentiality, integrity and availability at all times, providing
real-time change monitoring and audit capabilities. Features
include:
• Easy integration into broader plant-level security
• Compliance reporting
• Network segmentation
• Centralized role-based account management
• Public Key Infrastructure for controller protection
• Appliance-based Network Intrusion Detection systems
• Security information and event management
• Enterprise virus and malware detection, and quarantine
• Hardened HMIs, controllers, and network switches
Benefits of a Single GE Plant Control system
• Improved value over the life cycle with performance,
operability, and availability enhancements enabled by
advanced model-based control from GE
• Improved diagnostic and asset management capability
with sophisticated software tools and time synchronized
in a common database
• Improved operator productivity and plant awareness with
lower training costs
• Less cost and project risk associated with integrating
different systems and suppliers
• Knowledgeable and experienced team as the OEM of the
rotating equipment and designers of combined-cycle
power plants