The symposium, the largest conference dedicated to automation, control systems and instrumentation in the power generation industry, will be held 1-6 June 2014 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
The theme of the 2014 ISA POWID Symposium: “Instrumentation and Control Solutions for Today’s Industry Challenges”
The theme of this year’s gathering, “Instrumentation and Control Solutions for Today’s Industry Challenges,” underscores the need to provide answers to the critical dilemmas in power generation, namely:
- Maintaining reliability of power generation while managing fluctuating load demands (known as cycling)
- Securing critical data and information through advanced cybersecurity
- Meeting increasingly stringent environmental controls regulation
“All of these difficult challenges require instrumentation and control technology as part of the solution,” declares Aaron Hussey, Director of Technical Services at Expert Microsystems, Inc., and General Chair of ISA’s 2014 POWID Symposium. “Utility companies need to address them head on as they organize their current business units and plan for the future.”
“For instance,” he points out, “maintaining and improving reliability in the face of increased cycling is increasing the demand for technical talent that can create and apply innovative solutions for new types of operations, such as low-load and faster ramp rates.
“The need to address cybersecurity is also boosting demand for difficult-to-find technical talent skilled in the overlapping areas of controls and information technology. And meeting increasingly stringent environmental controls regulation significantly shapes how and why utilities make capital investment decisions, retire certain units, and deliver power generation that meets load demand.”
Hussey emphasizes that automation and control professionals play a key role in helping to confront and manage these challenges.
“If these challenges are not addressed, ultimately electricity rates will increase due to the increased costs of meeting load demand. In addition, the only way you can achieve a more environmentally friendly generating portfolio is by adopting more reliable control equipment and continually improving automation technology.”
Attendees of ISA’s 2014 POWID Symposium, he says, will come away with:
- A greater awareness and understanding of recent innovations in instrumentation, controls and automation technologies
- The know-how to apply security to control systems; improve power plant load demand response and low-load operation; and monitor and diagnose plant equipment and system reliability issues through the use of sensors and online monitoring technology.
Call for Papers guidelines and topics
Prospective authors are invited to submit original contributions by 15 January 2014. Abstracts, whether they include a technical paper or a presentation only, must be submitted through the X-CD system on the conference web site at www.isa.org/powersymp. A link to the X-CD system is expected to be posted on the site shortly.
All paper submissions will be peer reviewed to ensure high quality and originality. Symposium proceedings will be published on CD for distribution to attendees, and will also be made available on the ISA web site. For complete guidelines and Call for Papers information, download this pdf, and regularly check the symposium’s web site for updates.
Suggested abstract topics to be covered at the 57th Annual ISA POWID Symposium include, but are not limited to:
HYDROELECTRIC/RENEWABLES
Innovations
- Steam Cycle Augmentation
- Energy Storage
Challenges
- Predictive control
- Long-term reliability
FOSSIL
Environmental Control Systems
- Scrubbers
- SCR Controls
- Regulatory challenges
Combustion Turbine and Combined Cycle Plants
- Operational flexibility
- Start-up and ramp rates
- Load range extension
NUCLEAR
Plant Modernization
- SRP Chapter 7 and ISGs
- Digital obsolescence
- Plant modernization experiences
- EMI testing and immunity
New Nuclear Plants
- Conventional commercial reactors
- Small modular reactors
- Regulatory challenges
Programmatic
- Setpoints, uncertainties and TSTF-493 implementation
- Commercial grade dedication
- Operability determinations
Fukushima Accident Impact
- SFP instrumentation
- FLEX approach to beyond-design-basis external events
GENERATION
Cybersecurity
- NERC CIP requirements
- Implementation and audits
- Testing and intrusion detection
Equipment Development
- New sensors
- Wireless sensor applications and standards
- Fieldbus
Smart Grid Outlook
- Impact on generating plants
- Communication standards
New Generating Plants (non-nuclear)
- IGCC
- Renewables
- Regulatory challenges
Advanced Control Technology and Applications
- Simulation and training
- Advanced control
- Automation
Human Factors Engineering
- Alarm management
- High Performance HMI
- Control center design
Fleet Management
- Remote monitoring
- Inspection and maintenance
- Condition monitoring systems
- Alarm management
- Training the next generation
More about the 2014 POWID Symposium Chair
As Director of Technical Services at Expert Microsystems, the developer of Prognostic Health Management (PHM) software solutions, Aaron Hussey specializes in the application of online monitoring, fleet-wide prognostics and health management solutions for the electric power generation industry.
Hussey has spent the vast majority of his career in the electric power industry, concentrating on both nuclear and fossil power generation with a special interest in instrumentation and controls applied research. He also has experience in various types of automated manufacturing, including optical fibers and automotive turbochargers.
About the ISA Power Industry Division (POWID)
ISA’s Power Industry Division, one of the largest within ISA, is a recognized leader in developing and communicating the highest standards of information exchange, practices, environmental awareness and safety of information exchange among engineers, scientists, technicians, students/universities, and management involved in instrumentation and control relating to power generation. For more information about the ISA Power Industry Division, visit www.isa.org/powid or call +1 919-549-8411.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
