Þeistareykir, control and telecommunication systems, Iceland

Þeistareykir, Þeistareykjavirkjun, Geothermal, Power plant, Control system

The project's objective

EFLA's scope is twofold, firstly programming of the plant's control system and secondly to design the power houses' wireless telecommunication systems.

Control system

The control system is ABB 800xA and is commonly used in power generation and in industry. EFLA works for the German company Balcke-Durr to provide programming, testing and commissioning of the plants Cold End. Furthermore, EFLA subcontracts with Fuji Electric in Japan to provide programming, testing and commissioning of the plants turbine and generator integration into the control system.

Telecommunications

Projects related to telecommunications systems involve a review of passive leaky feeder system at the Þeistareykjavirkjun powerhouse, as well as overall design, definitions and calculations of its active part. The system is supposed to provide services on TETRA, GSM, 3G and WiFi in the powerhouse, with the possibility of connecting 4G mobile networks later.

TETRA, GSM and 3G signals are tapped off from transmitters on Ketilfjall mountain relay station, and transmitted via fibre optic cable to the powerhouse where they are amplified in a repeater and sent into a leaky feeder system, that distributes them around the house.

The first unit of the 2 x 45MW plant entered trial run in October 2017 and the second unit is planned for first quarter of 2018.

EFLA's role

• Programming of control system
• Control cubicle design
• Commissioning and plant start-up
• Design of active telecommunications equipment in the powerhouse and on Ketilfjall relay station
• Evaluation and final examinations
• A review of a passive communications system in the powerhouse
• Consultant in wireless telecomunications for TETRA / GSM / 3G and WiFi distribution