October, 2000
What's inside?
- NTUA turns to PV systems for distributed generation
- Western unveils new Web site
- DOE gives consumers info on energy issues
- Summer heat highlights importance of energy efficiency
- Who are you going to call? Western's experts
- California municipalities use solar energy for public buildings
- Fremont upgrades to state-of-the-art control
- SMUD hydropower project earns national award for recreation facilities
- California utilities contribute to communities
- Alliance helps customer evaluate motors
- Power Line has the answers
 Western’s Energy Services Website: www.wapa.gov/es Western's Power Line: |
| The Energy Services Bulletin is published by the Western Area Power Administration (Western) for the information of Agency customers. The mailing address is Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213; the telephone number is (303) 275-1739, e-mail: buntin@wapa.gov. Regional Energy Services Managers are: Billings, MT - Diane Noennig, (406) 247-7392; Loveland, CO - Peggy Plate, 1-800-472-2306; Phoenix, AZ - Steve Szarka, (602) 352-2462; Folsom, CA - Robert Parkins, (916) 353-4490; and Salt Lake City, UT - Dave Bennion, (801) 524-5506. The mention of any service, product, or technology does not constitute an endorsement of same and Western, the Department of Energy, or the United States Government cannot be held responsible or liable for use thereof.
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Fremont upgrades to state-of-the-art control
In an ongoing effort to increase reliability and efficiency, the Department
of Utilities in Fremont, Neb., recently converted one of three 1950s
vintage pneumatic boiler controls to a state-of-the-art, electronic
distributed 
control
system.
The DCS upgrade allows operators to control boiler functions such as pulverization, and fuel and air intake, through a computer. Power Plant Superintendent Bob Realph said, "The system operator can change screens on the computer to monitor and control the various aspects of boiler operations, resulting in increased reliability for our customers and a far more efficient, cost-effective operation."
"The old pneumatic boiler controls were antiquated and were becoming cumbersome to maintain. Parts have been increasingly difficult to get, and repairing the system became quite costly. We hope to have the remaining two units converted to DCS by November," Realph said.