ENDESA and ADEX will collaborate in the development of an Optimised Control System (OCS) within a project called “OPTICAL” involving feedwater pre-heaters for thermal power stations. The pre-heaters of the water-steam cycle are used to improve plant efficiency by reducing the thermodynamic irreversibility of the cycle. The equipment heats the feedwater using steam from the turbine which condenses and is fed into the lower part of the heater.
The new OCS will increase steam cycle efficiency both in coal and nuclear power plant, improve equipment reliability, stabilise temperatures and levels, and as a result, minimise thermal fatigue which can cause pipework failure and plant shutdowns.
In addition to agreements between ENDESA and ADEX on external sales of the OCS product, the internal market of power plants within ENDESA and ENEL offers significant opportunity for OCS implementation.
The kick off meeting for Project Optical took place on the 18th of October.