Yokogawa completes IoT systems installation at Olkaria geothermal complex
Olkaria II geothermal power plant (source: UNU)
Carlo Cariaga
24 Aug 2022
The IoT system installed by Yokogawa made possible the centralized and remote monitoring of the Olkaria geothermal power plants by KenGen.
Japan-based engineering and software company Yokogawa has announced the completion of the installation of an IoT system for the Olkaria geothermal power plant facilities of KenGen. This will allow for integrated remote performance management using mobile communications and other technologies specifically for Olkaria I Additional Unit (AU), II, IV, and V.
The project was executed under an agreement with the United Nations Industrial Devlopment Organization (UNIDO) and with funding from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry.
The Olkaria geothermal complex is the largest in Africa. Olkaria Station IV is the farthest from the complex’s administrative office at about 20 kilometers by road. Before the installation of Yokogawa’s IoT system, these geographically distributed power plants were all managed separately, and it was a challenge to take a comprehensive approach in managing their operations.
Yokogawa developed and deployed an IoT system that allows data from stations I AU, II, IV, and V to be accessed from the complex’s administrative office, enabling the integrated remote performance management of power generation performance at these facilities. The IoT system makes it possible to centrally manage the performance of the power generation units at each power station, aids in determining the causes of detected problems, and provides information on the maintenance status of related equipment.
Through integrated remote monitoring, automated root-cause analysis, and centralized history management, this ensures maintenance can be performed in a timely fashion, thereby maximizing power generation efficiency, and ensuring the stable supply of power.
“The IOT project system will enhance centralized data acquisition, storage, and provide analytics that will be used to make key business decisions and optimize plant availability.” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO Rebecca Miano.
“The successful completion of the project was possible with close cooperation among the project partners as well as the insights given by the donor, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. We trust the positive impact of the project will sustain and further be disseminated across the country and the region. The project showcased a way of applying advanced technological solutions to multipronged development issues we face in particular, addressing climate change by enhancing the energy systems while reducing carbon intensity and contributing for inclusive, sustainable industrial development.” commented UNIDO Project Manager Naoki Torii.
Source: Yokogawa
