Abstract: A method for building a model-based control solution is disclosed. The method includes obtaining, via a model-based control definition sub-unit, a first set of component models from a component model library and defining, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, a system model by interconnecting the first set of component models. Also, the method includes obtaining, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, a first model-based analytic algorithm from a model-based analytic algorithm library and associating, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, the first model-based analytic algorithm with the system model to generate the model-based control solution.

Abstract: A method for estimating and managing life of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes estimating a remaining useful life of a component of a gas turbine, obtaining parameters of the gas turbine, at least one of which comprises the estimate of the remaining useful life of a component of the gas turbine, assigning operating weightages to the gas turbine parameters based a plant objective, generating a set point for operating the gas turbine based on the weighted gas turbine parameters, and adjusting an operating characteristic of the gas turbine to meet the set point.

Abstract: A method for building a model-based control solution is disclosed. The method includes obtaining, via a model-based control definition sub-unit, a first set of component models from a component model library and defining, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, a system model by interconnecting the first set of component models. Also, the method includes obtaining, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, a first model-based analytic algorithm from a model-based analytic algorithm library and associating, via the model-based control definition sub-unit, the first model-based analytic algorithm with the system model to generate the model-based control solution.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method determine one or more designated speeds of a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The trip plan can designate the one or more designated speeds as a function of one or more of time or distance along the route for the trip. Geometry of the route that the vehicle system will travel along during the trip is determined, as well as one or more prospective forces that will be exerted on the vehicle system during movement of the vehicle system along the route for the trip based at least in part on the geometry of the route. The trip plan is revised to reduce at least one of the prospective forces by reducing at least one of the designated speeds of the trip plan based on the one or more prospective forces that are determined.

Abstract: A vehicle control system and method determine one or more designated speeds of a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The trip plan can designate the one or more designated speeds as a function of one or more of time or distance along the route for the trip. Geometry of the route that the vehicle system will travel along during the trip is determined, as well as one or more prospective forces that will be exerted on the vehicle system during movement of the vehicle system along the route for the trip based at least in part on the geometry of the route. The trip plan is revised to reduce at least one of the prospective forces by reducing at least one of the designated speeds of the trip plan based on the one or more prospective forces that are determined.

Abstract: A method for estimating and managing life of a gas turbine is provided. The method includes estimating a remaining useful life of a component of a gas turbine, obtaining parameters of the gas turbine, at least one of which comprises the estimate of the remaining useful life of a component of the gas turbine, assigning operating weightages to the gas turbine parameters based a plant objective, generating a set point for operating the gas turbine based on the weighted gas turbine parameters, and adjusting an operating characteristic of the gas turbine to meet the set point.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: A method includes identifying power outputs to be provided by propulsion-generating vehicles of a vehicle system for different locations along a route and calculating handling parameters of the vehicle system at the locations along the route. The handling parameters are representative of at least one of coupler forces, coupler energies, relative vehicle velocities, or natural forces exerted on the vehicle system. The method also includes determining asynchronous operational settings for the propulsion-generating vehicles at the locations. The asynchronous operational settings represent different operational settings that cause the propulsion-generating vehicles to provide at least the power outputs at the locations while changing the handling parameters of the vehicle system to designated values at the locations.

Abstract: A method includes identifying power outputs to be provided by propulsion-generating vehicles of a vehicle system for different locations along a route and calculating handling parameters of the vehicle system at the locations along the route. The handling parameters are representative of at least one of coupler forces, coupler energies, relative vehicle velocities, or natural forces exerted on the vehicle system. The method also includes determining asynchronous operational settings for the propulsion-generating vehicles at the locations. The asynchronous operational settings represent different operational settings that cause the propulsion-generating vehicles to provide at least the power outputs at the locations while changing the handling parameters of the vehicle system to designated values at the locations.

Abstract: A system for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.

Abstract: A control system for a combined cycle power generation system including a gas turbine engine (GT), a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and a steam turbine (ST) includes a display wherein an operator may observe information about predicted operating parameters; a user interface wherein an operator may provide additional operating constraints; and a controller configured to generate input profiles of the GT, the HRSG, and the ST that satisfy the nominal constraints and any additional constraints and to generate the information about the predicted operating parameters. The controller may be configured to detect a stage transition of power generation system operation and update the input profiles. The controller may be configured to generate alternative operating scenarios by mapping alternative control actions to an operating constraint of at least one of the system components.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: A method of power system dispatch control solves power system dispatch problems by integrating a larger variety of generation, load and storage assets, including without limitation, combined heat and power (CHP) units, renewable generation with forecasting, controllable loads, electric, thermal and water energy storage. The method employs a predictive algorithm to dynamically schedule different assets in order to achieve global optimization and maintain the system normal operation.

Abstract: A method for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site information is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.

Abstract: A system for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.

Abstract: A control system for a combined cycle power generation system including a gas turbine engine (GT), a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and a steam turbine (ST) includes a display wherein an operator may observe information about predicted operating parameters; a user interface wherein an operator may provide additional operating constraints; and a controller configured to generate input profiles of the GT, the HRSG, and the ST that satisfy the nominal constraints and any additional constraints and to generate the information about the predicted operating parameters. The controller may be configured to detect a stage transition of power generation system operation and update the input profiles. The controller may be configured to generate alternative operating scenarios by mapping alternative control actions to an operating constraint of at least one of the system components.

Abstract: A method of power system dispatch control solves power system dispatch problems by integrating a larger variety of generation, load and storage assets, including without limitation, combined heat and power (CHP) units, renewable generation with forecasting, controllable loads, electric, thermal and water energy storage. The method employs a predictive algorithm to dynamically schedule different assets in order to achieve global optimization and maintain the system normal operation.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: A method for minimizing a range of at least one operating mode of a powered system provided in a mission plan, the method including determining an amount of time a powered system enters a range of at least one operating mode at least one of prior to beginning a mission and while performing the mission and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the amount of time the powered system enters the range of the at least one operating mode while performing the mission and/or will enter the range of the at least one operating mode prior to beginning the mission.