Abstract
The bulk of the electricity generated within the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) is produced from units with a capacity of 500 MW and above. A further 10.2 GW of generation is due to be commissioned in the next few years. Hence those 500 MW units with the highest generating costs now need to develop a flexible operating capability.
An attempt is made to define the effect on plant performance of improving the plant automatic controls systems and enhancing the amount and presentation of information to operating staff. The consequences on plant performance of providing minute to minute regulation against grid frequency are given.
The economic consequences of running at off design conditions are evaluated and related to the benefits of modernizing the control and display systems on the 500 MW units.
Examples are given of the improvements being made in instrumentation and data handling systems.
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