Emerson Introduces Scalable Automation Technology Designed for Fast-Growing Renewable Power and Microgrid Markets

November 30, 2017

Ovation™ OCC100 controller extends control platform to small-scale
and remote applications

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Emerson
(NYSE: EMR), a global technology and engineering company, today launched
automation technology for utilities and independent power producers that
rely more and more on diverse renewable energy sources and that serve
the fast-growing microgrid market. Its new, modular Ovation
OCC100 controller cost effectively extends Emerson’s proven Ovation™
control technology by managing the flow of energy from various sources
to ensure continuous, reliable generation for these emerging industries.
This small footprint, scalable technology is also well-suited to
critical water and wastewater applications.

With renewable electricity capacity expected to expand by over 920
gigawatts – an increase of 43 percent – through 2022, according to a 2017
International Energy Agency report, the OCC100 controller is
particularly attractive to power generators with growing and diverse
renewable generation portfolios (including hydro, solar and wind) and
microgrids that rely on a variety of distributed energy resources.

The OCC100 offers remote monitoring and control capabilities for wind
farms spread out over a wide geographic area and the ability to operate
in the higher ambient temperatures associated with solar facilities. For
microgrids, it provides a single point of control for performance
optimization. Similarly, the new controller efficiently monitors and
controls remote pump stations critical to collecting, treating, storing
and distributing water to homes and businesses.

Today, power generation and water/wastewater facilities often rely on
non-integrated programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with limited
functionality to automate smaller, stand-alone equipment or processes.
These “islands of automation” limit broad information-sharing necessary
for optimal operational efficiency.

In addition to operating independently, the new controller can be
natively merged into a larger, Ovation distributed control system
offering greater visibility into plant-wide operations. The controller
also features integrated wide-area technologies that allow it to control
geographically dispersed equipment using cell or other wireless
technology. This capability will help power generators harness the
benefits of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) like never before. For
example, as wind power becomes more prevalent and wind turbines become
larger and more sophisticated, utilities need to more closely monitor
vibration and other operating conditions. The OCC100 controller collects
and aggregates information about each wind turbine, then shares that
data to provide intelligence about the entire wind farm. This
intelligence can be assimilated with information about other facilities
in the power-generating fleet.

“Traditionally, the power generation industry has been slow to change.
But now with microgrids moving into the mainstream and an increased
reliance on renewable energy, it’s really a brave new world,” said Bob
Yeager, president, Power & Water, Emerson Automation Solutions. “We’re
adapting to the changes we’re seeing in the global power markets,
offering our customers the enhanced flexibility they need to thrive in
this changing landscape.”

Emerson will showcase the scalable Ovation™ OCC100 compact controller in
booth #5314 at POWER-GEN International, Dec. 5–7, 2017, Las Vegas. For a
complimentary exhibit pass, visit Emerson
at POWER-GEN 2017.

About Emerson

Emerson (NYSE: EMR), headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a
global technology and engineering company providing innovative solutions
for customers in industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Our
Emerson Automation Solutions business helps process, hybrid, and
discrete manufacturers maximize production, protect personnel and the
environment while optimizing their energy and operating costs. Our
Emerson Commercial and Residential Solutions business helps ensure human
comfort and health, protect food quality and safety, advance energy
efficiency, and create sustainable infrastructure. For more information
visit Emerson.com.

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