ABB to provide control upgrade at PSEG plant

PSEG Hudson Unit 2 DCS Upgrade modernizes control systems at the 1,115-MW Hudson generating station with ABB Symphony Harmony, integrating Bailey Network 90 and INFI 90 under the BET project to extend efficiency and reliability.

ABB was selected by PSEG Fossil, LLC to supply its Hudson generating station in Jersey City, New Jersey with a multi-phase controls project including: operator console upgrades, existing plant controls upgrades and new controls for the Back End Technology BET project.

PSEG Fossil is a subsidiary of the Public Service Enterprise Group PSEG, which pursued projects like the Cross-Hudson Cable in the region.

The multi-phased award includes an upgrade to the Hudson Unit 2 Control Systems equipment to refurbish it for an additional 20 years of service. The existing Distributed Control System DCS is a mix of the Bailey Network 90 and INFI 90 systems and will be upgraded to be compatible with the new DCS equipment being installed as a part of the Back End Technology BET project, even as a New Jersey generator lost a bid to supply New York in a separate development.

“We are delighted to work with PSEG on this Hudson generation station controls retrofit and upgrade project,” said Mark Taft, senior vice president and general manager, ABB Power Generation, North America. “We look forward to applying our global experience with control systems upgrades in a way that will extend the life of PSEG’s existing systems while providing energy efficiency and optimization benefits to the power station, and meeting the consumers’ growing need for highly reliable electric power.”

The DCS to be installed for the BET system is ABB’s Symphony Harmony control system and is expected to be operational before the end of 2010. The existing operator consoles were upgraded as part of this phase of the project and the upgrades to the remaining components of the existing system should be completed by late 2012.

Hudson generating station is a 1,115-megawatt power plant, owned and operated by PSEG, which stopped a New York City expansion plan amid shifting priorities. Unit 1 produces electricity by burning natural gas, though PSEG's renewable focus has been increasing as well. Unit 2 runs mainly on coal, but can also use natural gas.

This announcement was made by ABB at the PowerGen International conference and exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

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