FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
This disclosure generally relates to power plant operations, and more particularly, to systems and methods for power plant operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
A power plant typically uses an electric power generation system for generating electricity that is provided to various customers via an electric grid. The electric power generation system can include a compressor that provides pressurized air to a combustor. The pressurized air is mixed with fuel in the combustor and the mixture is ignited to produce hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases flow downstream to one or more turbine rotors of a turbine that extracts energy from the hot combustion gases and provides a rotational output. The rotational output can be used for a variety of tasks, such as for generating electric power in an AC electric generator that is a part of the electric power generation system. Each of these components of the electric power generation system can be very complex in structure and typically require sophisticated control systems for controlling various operations. Some of these operations can be carried out automatically by the control systems while some others are executed by on-site operators in the power plant facility. In some cases, operations carried out by the on-site operators can be overseen by supervisors stationed at a remote location. However, as can be understood, the use of multiple personnel, such as on-site operators and off-site supervisors can sometimes lead to conflicting actions being taken and/or omissions and oversights, especially when a computer network system of the power plant that is used to transmit data, information, and/or commands is not properly configured for this purpose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed generally to a computer system that can be used to execute various kinds of operations locally and/or remotely, upon a power generation unit in a power plant.
According to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a system can include a first power generation unit, a controller, a first computer, a second computer, a

gateway computer, and a third computer. The controller, which is communicatively coupled to a local area network, can control one or more operations of the first power generation unit. The first computer, which is communicatively coupled to the local area network, is configured to execute at least a first action upon the first power generation unit via the local area network and the controller. The second computer communicatively, which is communicatively coupled to the local area network, is configured for use to execute a second action directed via the local area network at one of the controller, the first computer, or an operator using the first computer. The gateway computer, which is communicatively coupled to the local area network, is configured to provide communication access to a wide area network for at least the controller, the first computer, and the second computer. The third computer, which is communicatively coupled to the wide area network, is configured to communicate through the wide area network with at least one of the controller, the first computer, or the second computer, the third computer configured for use to override at least one of the first action carried out by the operator or the second action carried out by a first supervisor. According to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a system can include a first power generation unit, a controller, a first computer, and a second computer. The controller controls one or more operations of the first power generation unit. The first computer is configured to execute at least a first action upon the first power generation unit via a local area network. The second computer, which is configured to communicate through a wide area network with at least one of the controller or the first computer, is configured for use to at least one of communicate with a first operator via the first computer or control the first power generation unit via the controller.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a method can include providing a human machine interface on a first computer that is configured to communicate via a local area network with a controller that controls a first power generation unit, and providing the human machine interface on a second computer, the second computer configured to communicate with the controller via a wide area network. The method can also include using the human machine interface on the

first computer to execute a first action upon the first power generation unit, and using the human machine interface on the second computer to coordinate execution of the first action upon the first power generation unit.
Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an example system and method where a power generation unit in a power plant can be accessed and controlled locally and/or remotely using several computers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an example system and method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where one or more computers located in one or more power plants can be accessed and controlled by using a remote computer. FIG. 3 illustrates an example system and method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where information such as power plant data and/or power plant operating instructions can be accessed by one or more computers. FIG. 4 illustrates an example system and method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where two or more remote operators can interact with each other using various computers.
The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. It should be understood that certain words and terms are used herein solely for convenience and such words and terms should be interpreted as referring to various objects and actions that are generally understood in various forms and equivalencies by persons

of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, the word "example" as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word "exemplary" as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In terms of a general overview, certain embodiments described in this disclosure pertain to an exemplary system having multiple computers that can be used to execute various kinds of operations, locally and/or remotely, upon a power generation unit in a power plant. In one embodiment, the system can include a gateway computer that couples a local area network located inside a power plant with a wide area network located outside the power plant. One or more computers located outside the power plant can be used to oversee and/or override one or more operations carried out by one or more operators in the power plant. The system can include a human machine interface that is provided on one or more computers coupled to the local area network at the power plant. A replica of the human machine interface that is provided on one or more computers located outside the power plant can allow some personnel to execute actions from a remote location. Such actions can include overseeing and/or overriding one or more operations carried out by one or more operators in the power plant.
Attention is now drawn to FIG. 1, which illustrates a system 100 and associated methodology where a power generation unit 140 located in a power plant 105 can be accessed and controlled locally and/or remotely using several computers inside and outside the power plant 105 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. More particularly, in this exemplary embodiment, the power generation unit 140 can be controlled by using a power plant controller 145 that is coupled to a local area network 135. A first computer 130, which can be referred to as an operator computer, can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or any other computing device that is operated by an operator 125 in order to communicate control signals to the power plant controller 145 via the local area network 135.

The power plant controller 145 executes the control signals for carrying out various operations upon the power generation unit 140.
The operator 125 can be, for example, an equipment operator on the ground floor of the power plant 105 from where the operator 125 can directly observe various gauges and other elements of the power generation unit 140. A second computer 155, which can be referred to as a supervisor computer, can be operated by a first supervisor 150 in order to communicate controls via the local area network 135 to the power plant controller 145 for carrying out various operations upon the power generation unit 140 and/or for other purposes such as carrying out various operations with respect to the first computer 130. These operations can include observing or modifying actions performed by the operator 125 upon the first computer 130. Observing or modifying actions performed by the operator 125 can include overriding an action performed by the operator 125 and/or providing guidance to the operator 125 for executing various actions via the first computer 130. The second computer 155 can be located in an onsite control room 185, such as an office of the first supervisor 150. In some cases, the onsite control room 185 can provide to the first supervisor 150, line of sight visibility of the power generation unit 140 and other items on the ground floor of the power plant 105. In some other cases, the onsite control room 185 may be located at a place that does not have line of sight visibility with respect to the power generation unit 140 and/or various other pieces of equipment on the ground floor of the power plant 105. A wireless node 120 can be also communicatively coupled to the local area network 135 via one or both of a wireless link or a wired link. The wireless node 120 can be used to provide wireless services to an operator 110 who can move around the power plant 105 carrying a portable computer 115. The portable computer 115 can be for example, a laptop, a tablet computer, or a smartphone configured to allow the operator to communicate control signals to the power plant controller 145 via the wireless node 120 and the local area network 135, for carrying out various operations upon the power generation unit 140 and for other purposes. A gateway computer 160 that can be coupled to the local area network 135, provides gateway functionality as well as some security functionalities, when allowing the

various devices such as the first computer 130, the second computer 155, the portable computer 115, and the power plant controller 145, to access a wide area network 165. The wide area network 165, which can be the Internet, provides connectivity between the gateway computer 160 and various other computers and Internet enabled devices located outside the power plant 105. For example, the wide area network 165 allows a remote computer 170 to communicate with the gateway computer 160 for various purposes in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure. The remote computer 170, which can be located in an offsite control room 175 outside the power plant 105, can be operated by a remote operator 180 in order to communicate control signals to the power plant controller 145 for carrying out various operations upon the power generation unit 140 and/or for other purposes such as for conveying information to the operator 125 via the first computer 130. The remote operator 180 can be a secondary supervisor having supervisory authority to override one or more actions carried out by the operator 125. The first supervisor 150 at the power plant 105 can be a primary supervisory having overall supervisory authority over the operator 125 and the remote operator 180.
In one exemplary implementation, various computers in the power plant 105 can be provided with a human machine interface (HMI). For example, the portable computer 115 operated by the operator 110 can include a human machine interface 111 that allows the operator 110 to enter commands via a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface can be installed on the various computers in the power plant 105 and elsewhere, by providing a template that can be used to populate various fields in the graphical user interface. The various fields can include fields pertaining to security procedures (login field, password field, etc.) and can also include certain fields that are offered only to certain personnel. For example, the remote operator 180 can be offered a template for producing a graphical user interface that includes fields for performing certain operations that are denied to the operator 110.
In some exemplary embodiments, a first human machine interface can be configured to enable a first computer (remote computer 170, for example) to operate

as a master device and a second human machine interface can be configured to enable a second computer (portable computer 115 for example) to operate as a slave device to the master device. The master-slave arrangement allows the first supervisor 150 for example, to override one or more actions carried out by the operator 110 and/or the remote operator 180.
Various computers outside the power plant 105 can be provided with replicated versions of one or more human machine interfaces that are installed on various computers in the power plant 105. For example, the remote computer 170 operated by the remote operator 180 can include a human machine interface 171 that dynamically replicates the human machine interface 111 thus allowing the remote operator 180 to observe various operations carried out by the operator 110 using the human machine interface 111. In an exemplary embodiment, the human machine interface 171 can be synchronized to the human machine interface 111 and can be dynamically updated in one of a real-time mode or a near real-time mode. This arrangement allows the operator 110 and/or the remote operator 180 to carry out various operations such as transmitting command signals to the power plant controller 145; exchanging information/data between the various computers; carrying out troubleshooting procedures by obtaining a snapshot of one or more elements in the power generation unit 140 and/or the power plant controller; and carrying out troubleshooting procedures by obtaining a live video stream when the power generation unit 140 and/or the power plant controller is in operation. These various operations can be carried out in a secure environment provided by incorporating various security measures (such as password authentication, encrypted data transmission, antivirus software, and firewalls) into the human machine interface 111, the human machine interface 171, and the various network elements used for communications between the remote computer 170 and the various computers inside the power plant 105. The secure environment allows the remote operator 180 to safely carry out certain actions such as assisting the operator 110 when carrying out certain operations upon the power plant controller 145, overriding certain operations carried out by the operator 110, and directly carrying out certain operations upon the power plant controller 145.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more human machine interfaces, such as the human machine interface 111 provided on the portable computer 115, can be configured to automatically be decommissioned or rendered inoperable upon occurrence of a security breach and/or after a predefined period of time. The predefined period of time can be determined for example, by a human entity such as the first supervisor 150. Configuring one or more of the human machine interfaces in this manner provides an additional level of security, for example, when the operator 110 is a contractor who is authorized to operate inside the power plant 105 on a restricted basis.
FIG. 2 illustrates the system 100 and associated methodology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where one or more computers located in one or more power plants can be accessed and controlled by the remote operator 180 using the remote computer 170. More particularly, the remote computer 170 can access one or more computers located in "n" power plants (n > 1) such as the power plant 105, the power plant 205, the power plant 210, and the power plant 215. One or more of the power plant 205, the power plant 210, and the power plant 215 can include a gateway computer and multiple computers connected to each other via a local area network similar to the exemplary setup shown in the power plant 105. Furthermore, some or all of the computers in the power plant 205, the power plant 210, and the power plant 215 can include a human machine interface similar to the human machine interface 111 shown installed in the portable computer 115. The remote computer 170 can be configured to provide a replicated human machine interface 216 that replicates one or more of the various human machine interfaces installed on the various computers in the various power plants. In one example implementation, the remote operator 180 can determine which one of the one or more of the various human machine interfaces are replicated on the remote computer 170. The replicated human machine interface 216 can then be used by the remote operator 180 to observe various operations carried out by various operators, and to carry out actions such as altering, overseeing, or overriding the operations carried out by the various operators. In another example implementation, in place of using the human machine interface 216, the remote

operator 180 can use other communication methods, such as remote login, file transfer protocol (FTP), and/or remote control software to interact with the various computers in the various power plants.
FIG. 3 illustrates the system 100 and associated methodology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where information such as power plant data and/or power plant operating instructions can be accessed by the remote operator 180 using the remote computer 170 and/or by other operators located in the power plant 105. In one exemplary scenario, the remote operator 180 can use the remote computer 170 to access the power plant controller 145 via the gateway computer 160. The remote operator 180 can then acquire various types of operational data about the power generation unit 140. The operational data can provide various kinds of information such as an indication of a current operating status of the power generation unit 140, an indication of an abnormal condition in the power generation unit 140, an indication of a failure or a malfunction in the power generation unit 140, and an indication of one or more causes for the failure or the malfunction in the power generation unit 140. The remote operator 180 can analyze the operational data obtained via the power plant controller 145, by using various information sources located in various other locations. For example, the remote operator 180 can obtain power plant archived data 320 that provides information on past performance of the power generation unit 140 and/or performance associated with other power generation units. The power plant archived data 320 can be a cloud storage element that is accessible by the various computers in the power plant 105 as well as other computers at other locations. The cloud storage element can be used to store and make available, historical data to the remote computer 170 and/or the various computers in the various power plants. The remote operator 180, as well as other operators in the various power plants, can also access various libraries and resources provided in various storage elements that are coupled to the wide area network 165. For example, the remote operator 180 and/or other operators can access power plant operating instructions 325 that can assist in troubleshooting problems in the power generation unit 140 and/or in executing proper procedures for operating the power generation unit 140.

FIG. 4 illustrates the system 100 and associated methodology in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure where two or more remote operators can interact with each other using various computers. For example, the remote operator 180 may encounter a situation beyond his area of expertise and thus be unable to assist the operator 110 in resolving a particular problem with respect to the power generation unit 140. The remote operator 180 can communicate with a technical expert 430 who is operating a remote computer 425 out of a consultation facility 420 located in a foreign country, for example. The remote operator 180 and/or the technical expert 430 can access via the wide area network 165, various cloud storage elements such as the power plant archived data 320, the power plant operating instructions 325, and power plant technical data 410. Using such resources, the remote operator 180 and/or the technical expert 430 can troubleshoot various devices, such as the power generation unit 140 and the power plant controller 145 in the power plant 105. The remote operator 180 and/or the technical expert 430 can also provide guidance to an operator 405 who can use a portable computer 406 to communicate with one or both of the remote computer 170 and the remote computer 425, via the gateway computer 160 and the wide area network 165. Based on the guidance, the operator 405 can use a tool 407 such as a mechanical tool or a test instrument, to carry out repairs upon the power generation unit 140 when a fault occurs in the power generation unit 140, and/or carry out other actions such as maintenance operations and calibration operations upon the power generation unit 140.
In some exemplary embodiments, the remote operator 180 and/or the technical expert 430 can access various elements such as a closed-circuit television system, a fire/gas alarm panel, and/or security keypads on doors to evaluate various other conditions in the power plant 105. In some cases, the remote operator 180 and/or the technical expert 430 can communicate with various other entities (not shown) such as the police and the fire brigade in order to respond to abnormal conditions in the power plant 105.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the example descriptions set forth herein to which these descriptions pertain will come to mind having the benefit of

the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Thus, it will be appreciated the disclosure may be embodied in many forms and should not be limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

WE CLAIM:
1. A system comprising:
a first power generation unit;
a controller that controls one or more operations of the first power generation unit, the controller communicatively coupled to a local area network;
a first computer communicatively coupled to the local area network, the first computer configured to execute at least a first action upon the first power generation unit via the local area network and the controller;
a second computer communicatively coupled to the local area network, the second computer configured for use to execute a second action directed via the local area network at one of the controller, the first computer, or an operator using the first computer;
a gateway computer communicatively coupled to the local area network, the gateway computer configured to provide communication access to a wide area network for at least the controller, the first computer, and the second computer; and
a third computer communicatively coupled to the wide area network, the third computer configured to communicate through the wide area network with at least one of the controller, the first computer, or the second computer, the third computer configured for use to override at least one of the first action carried out by the operator or the second action carried out by a first supervisor.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the controller, the first computer, the second computer, and the gateway computer is located in a first facility, wherein the third computer is located in a second facility, and wherein the wide area network is the Internet.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first computer or the second computer includes a human machine interface, and wherein

the third computer is configured to at least one of view, replicate, or access the human machine interface.
4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first computer is a first portable computer comprising at least one of a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet computer, and wherein the second computer is one of a desktop computer or a second portable computer.
5. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third computer is configured to obtain at least one of a snapshot or a video stream associated with operating the first power generation unit.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a fourth computer configured to communicate through the wide area network with the third computer and provide information to assist the third computer execute one or more actions upon the first power generation unit via the controller.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the information comprises information associated with a second power generation unit.
8. The system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:
a fifth computer configured to communicate through the wide area network with at least one of the third computer or the fourth computer and provide information to assist the at least one of the third computer or the fourth computer, the information comprising at least one of technical data, historical data, or operational data associated with the first power generation unit.
9. A system comprising:
a first power generation unit;
a controller that controls one or more operations of the first power generation unit;

a first computer configured to execute at least a first action upon the first power generation unit via a local area network; and
a second computer configured to communicate through a wide area network with at least one of the controller or the first computer, the second computer configured for use to at least one of communicate with a first operator via the first computer or control the first power generation unit via the controller.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first computer is a portable computer that is communicatively coupled to the local area network through a wireless system.
11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein a second operator using the second computer provides instructions to the first operator for executing the first action or a second action.
12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the first computer and the second computer is configurable as one of a master device or a slave device.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second computer is configured to provide a second operator overriding authority over the first operator.
14. A method comprising:
providing a human machine interface on a first computer, the first computer configured to communicate via a local area network with a controller that controls a power generation unit;
providing the human machine interface on a second computer, the second computer configured to communicate with the controller via a wide area network;
using the human machine interface on the first computer to execute a first action upon the power generation unit; and

using the human machine interface on the second computer to coordinate execution of the first action upon the power generation unit.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first computer is a first portable computer comprising at least one of a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet computer, and the second computer is one of a desktop computer or a second portable computer.
16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the human machine interface provided on the first computer or the human machine interface provided on the second computer is configured to be decommissioned after at least one of a predefined period of time or upon occurrence of a security breach.
17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of the human machine interface provided on the first computer or the human machine interface provided on the second computer grants a supervisory authority to an operator of the at least one of the first computer or the second computer.
18. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the human machine interface is a graphical user interface, and the method further comprises:
providing a template to populate the graphical user interface;
using the template to populate the graphical user interface on the first computer;
using the second computer to access the first computer via the wide area network; and
replicating on the second computer, the graphical user interface that is populated in the first computer.
19. The method as claimed in claim 14, comprising:
using the human machine interface on the second computer to obtain at least one of a snapshot or a video stream that is associated with operating the power generation unit.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, comprising:
using the at least one of the snapshot or the video stream to assist an operator operating upon the power generation unit.