Tomato Growers Test GE Cogeneration Software

by | Jun 15, 2015

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GEGE’s Distributed Power business says that Prominent Growers Association, a commercial tomato greenhouse growers collective in the Netherlands, will serve as a pilot customer to showcase how GE’s myPlant 2.0 can increase the efficiency of on-site cogeneration plants.

The new myPlant 2.0 software is powered by Predix, GE’s Industrial Internet asset performance management platform.

Prominent Growers Association consists of 26 members with 36 high-tech greenhouse facilities that supply 20 percent of the country’s vine tomatoes. To meet their on-site power, heating, CO2 and lighting needs, Prominent’s members use combined heat and power (CHP) systems that produce a total of more than 150 MW. A majority of this power (up to 131 MW) is supplied by 50 of GE’s Jenbacher gas engine CHP systems.

Prominent will demonstrate myPlant 2.0’s ability to increase gas engine CHP performance and reliability on the 50 Jenbacher units installed at the 36 greenhouses.

If Prominent’s myPlant 2.0 detects an anomaly in one of its cogeneration units, GE’s Quick Response Center (QRC) in the Netherlands then reviews data trends and engine messages and systematically validates the probable root cause of the issue. The QRC may then deploy field service experts to perform corrective actions to the equipment. However, in 50 percent of cases, engines can be reset remotely, eliminating travel time and expenses.

GE and Prominent expect the software will improve the performance of the Jenbacher engines’ emission control systems; extend engine oil life; allow variable power to maintain heat and CO2; and more efficiently align gas consumption.

The initiative is the first project following Prominent’s renewal of its multiyear service agreement with GE’s Distributed Power business in December 2014.

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