World-first installation of GE’s CPE115 PLC. This project has implemented 28 of the new PLCs and was the first site in the world to use the PLC in a production environment. The features of this PLC allowed the field IO to be retained, reducing overall project risk and ensuring the shortest possible cutover time.
The ECI process allowed SAGE to prototype and implement a number of new technologies that had not been used by SA Water for control systems before. This has been used as a base for a change in how the SCADA platform is considered across the whole business.
Further outcomes included:
- Upgrade to iFIX SCADA 5.9
- Virtualised SCADA server architecture
- Thin client interface
- Fixed Wireless NBN and 4GX architecture for remote access.
SAGE Automation replaced 28 PLCs and 10 SCADA systems with no interruption to the water supply.
Fast changeover ensures no interruption to water supply
Because the infrastructure provides the community with its only water supply, it was highly critical that the hardware upgrade was quick and seamless.
“Some sites have less than a day of reserve storage, so we needed to change over the new system quickly or risk the town running out of water.” SAGE Senior Systems Engineer, Mark Dankiw said.
“Using the GE PLC hardware, a well-trained team and a detailed plan, we were able to perform the total changeover to the new system in less than 5 hours,” he said.
Client benefits from the increased efficiency of water treatment plants
The site upgrades have enabled SA Water to secure future water reliability for its regional customers and increase process efficiency within the plant.
The solution also includes:
- 10 times faster PLC with 15 times more memory
- the ability to control multiple sites simultaneously
- increased accuracy in trending and reporting
- active cybersecurity monitoring and protection
- communications and operational redundancy.
Technology used:
- GE CPE115 PLC
- iFIX SCADA 5.9
- SCADAPack RTU
- NBN
- 4GX
- Cisco
- Virtualised Server Infrastructure
- SCADAPhone
- ECI contract model.
Is your organisation in need of a scalable control system to make managing your assets easier? SAGE Automation has more than 20 years' experience delivering system upgrades to critical water supplies. Get in touch to discuss your project requirements.