Automation and control engineering

Our team of specialists in the automation, control, design of SCADA Systems and systems integration, makes it possible to face the challenges posed by the needs of modern industry.

Provide engineering and development services, or deal with turnkey projects, in which we have the necessary resources to carry out each of the phases of the project:

Basic engineering

We define the different areas of the installation that make up the project after reviewing the conceptual engineering and the needs. We carry out feasibility studies or basic specifications. Analyzing the nature of the processes, environmental or economic conditions, we elaborate the studies, calculations or initial specifications, of vital importance to have a solid platform for the development of the projects. In this area, the main services provided are the following:

Elaboration of documents or technical “bases” with the control philosophy. Our engineers carry out a study of the requirements of the project defining the basic characteristics of necessary equipment and systems.
Review and update of Conceptual Engineering.
Basic design and operation criteria.
Definition of communications architectures or integration services and equipment sizing, both process control and communication, including sizing and definition of software.
Analyzing the particularities of the project our technicians elaborate and define the necessary equipment to achieve the objectives. Realizing the definition of control hardware and software, as well as proposing control strategies, regulation algorithms, etc.
Proinelca Power, directly or through one of its “Technological Partners”, is in a position to supply control hardware and software, or to make equipment purchase specifications.

SCADA system test – Internal combustion plant BCS-III, La Paz, México

Control room of the internal combustion plant - BCS-III, La Paz, México

Control room – Internal combustion plant BCS-III, La Paz, México

Development and detail engineering

We are fully convinced that the quality and precision of detail engineering are the best basis for achieving the project’s objectives, avoiding problems in the development and commissioning phases. Quality engineering helps reduce execution times, testing and commissioning, minimizing the risks of unforeseen situations. In this sense we can offer:

Review of basic engineering and control philosophies.
Elaboration of principle schemes, communications architectures and interconnection, both physically and logically.
Logical diagrams and functional specifications, as the most effective way to capture in detail the behavior of control systems, and fundamental basis for the subsequent programming of strategies and control algorithms.
Preparation of signal lists. In which are defined in detail the existing information in the field, distribution among the different control equipment, process ranges, etc.
Data models. Which determine the logical organization of the process data, as well as the different logical connections between the plant information.

Control cabinets – Pedregalito hydropower plant, David, Panama

Control cabinets – Renace II hydropower plant, Guatemala

Interior of control cabinets (PLCS) – Internal combustion plant BCS-III, La Paz – México

Automation programming

Our staff has extensive experience in the programming of automations (PLCs / PACs) in various sectors of the industry, especially in the sector of generation and distribution of energy in which we have developed more than 85 projects in the last 10 years.

How could it be otherwise, our philosophy is the use of open systems, based on international standards (IEC-61131-3, IEC-61499) and dominant communication technologies in the market, such as Profibus fieldbuses / EtherCAT / EthernetIP.

We work with the main control hardware manufacturers such as: ABB, BECKHOFF, SIEMENS, ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, SCHNEIDER, etc.

We have programming and diagnostic tools, as well as advanced tools and simulation equipment that allow us a complete set of tests in the factory guaranteeing a high quality of the programming made.

Rack mounting of PLC for programming and testing

Design of SCADA and HMI/MMI operator interfaces

SCADA systems have proven to be an essential tool for the supervision and control of processes in modern industry. At Proinelca Power we understand SCADA systems, not only as a mere visualization of the process, but as an integration platform between plant equipment and business management systems. That is why, we develop SCADA applications based on open architectures, capable of growing and adapting easily to the changing needs of modern industry.

The supervision and remote control of processes, using new technologies and communication infrastructures, is another of the challenges we face, providing applications for mobile devices and integration services, such as server platforms, communication protocols.

After a long experience of more than 20 years in the design and implementation of SCADA systems, our development team is trained to address the challenges posed by the integration of these systems in an industry offering services such as:

Technical and economic advice for choosing the most suitable platform for the needs of the project.
Design and customization of the operation interfaces (synoptics), adapting them to the needs and preferences of the users. We pay special attention to the ease of use and clarity in the information.
Creation of databases, configuration of communications and system services.
Integration with management systems, data analysis, definition and creation of reports, etc.

We work with the best systems on the market, both with general purpose SCADA (iFix, Wonderware, WinCC & PCS7), as well as with specific software for the energy generation and distribution market (EnergyWorks Portal, MicroSCada, etc.)

SCADA system – San Lorenzo hydropower plant, David, Panama

SCADA system – Marcona wind farm substation, Nazca, Peru

System integration

We live in a connected world, the information society. The control systems are not alien to the general trend of society. Increasingly, it is required that the different components of a “talk” with each other, and with management systems, reporting or data analysis. Despite the great efforts of industry, international organizations or even governments, there are still thousands of protocols, systems and equipment difficult to integrate into a homogeneous structure.

Proinelca Power makes an intense effort to provide control systems with standardized protocols and interfaces. Our team of programmers develops drivers for communication protocols (IEC.60870-5-101, IEC.60870-5-104, IEC.61860, ICCP, DNP 3.0 , OPC, ADS, ModBus, etc.).

Control room – Ocaña hydropower plant, Cuenca, Ecuador

Control room – Pedregalito II hydropower plant, David, Panama

Control room – Diesel central Clifton Pier, Nassau, Bahamas

Design of speed regulation systems for hydraulic turbines

Our staff has extensive experience in the design, programming and adjustment of speed regulation systems for hydraulic turbines, we have developed more than 70 projects in the last 20 years.

We work with our own system, based on an algorithm developed by our R & D department, which can be implemented in any PLC in the market, we have implemented this system in 50 hydraulic groups from very small groups to groups of 75 MW. In addition to working with the regulators of the main manufacturers, such as: ALSTOM, ANDRITZ, etc.

We have programming and diagnostic tools, as well as advanced tools and simulation equipment that allow us to carry out a complete set of tests in the factory, guaranteeing a high quality of the systems.

Turbine speed regulator – San Lorenzo hydropower plant, Panama