Watson Cogeneration Receives Controls Upgrade From GE Energy

Watson Cogeneration, a joint venture between Edison Mission Energy and BP, has received a $1.6 million controls upgrade to improve availability and operability from GE Energy. The upgrade was the first application of GE’s Mark IVm control migration offering.

Watson Cogeneration provides power and steam to BP’s Carson refinery, which is engaged in the production of low-emission transportation fuels. Watson’s primary product is steam for the refinery, but it also produces electricity for the refinery and the electrical grid in southern California.

Under the scope of the contract, GE Energy migrated the original Mark IV control systems, which were controlling four GE Frame 7EA industrial gas turbines, to Mark VIe technology.

Brian Palmer, vice president of GE Energy’s optimization and control business, said: “The advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting tools of Mark VIe technology allows Watson to quickly diagnose problems with the controls, field devices and turbine.”