Control Room Makeover

Congratulations to the Mirant Potomac River Generating Station in Alexandria, VA! In partnership with Wright Line, User Centered Design Services, and Smith LaRock Architecture, Foxboro has awarded Mirant a Control Room Makeover featuring a prize package valued up to $350,000!

Situation

The Potomac River Generating Station consists of five units that originally had three boiler control areas and a separate electrical control room. The boiler-turbine controls for three units have been consolidated into their Electrical Control Room. Now, with plans to move the boiler-turbine controls for the remaining two units into this central control room, Mirant is facing additional challenges…

Before 3 unit consolidation

Challenges

  • Effective operations – ensure the consolidation of control for multiple units into this small space optimizes operating conditions

  • Information access - enable the operator to effectively view and act on information from multiple consoles and existing control panel

Before 5 unit consolidation

More challenges...

  • Space constraints – limited room for the addition of controls from two more units

  • Alarm management – ensure recognition of both audible and visible alarms for unit involved

After 5 unit consolidation

Stay tuned... The Control Room Makeover team consisting of Foxboro, Wright Line, User Centered Design Services, and Smith LaRock Architecture will begin working with Mirant to transform their Potomac River site with a prize package including:

  • New control room consultation & design
  • Conceptual design solution walk-through video
  • New operator console furniture

  • Workstation upgrades
  • Display monitors
  • Engineering services
  • Alarm Management services
  • Training services

Images and details of the transformation will periodically be updated on this page, so check back often for the latest information!