Case Study

Regional Energy Production Facility

Learn how this 1,000MW power generation facility implemented dataPARC to build a predictive alarming system, enabling operators to identify the root cause of alarms and monitor critical assets in real time.

Company’s Story

As part of a major expansion project, this coal-fired power plant needed a modern data platform that could go beyond basic reporting. The facility already had a PI system in place, but operations teams found it limited when it came to understanding why alarms occurred. After evaluating multiple solutions—including offerings from major competitors—the operations team selected dataPARC Tools and Historian for its proven track record in power generation and its ability to address their specific alarm management challenges.

The dataPARC Logic Builder blocks are a visual way to build out complex alarms and calculations.

Proven, Streamlined, Cost-effective Software

A well-established platform selected for its track record and efficient implementation over more expensive alternatives.

Customized Root Cause Analysis

Tailored trends and alarm-associated graphics help identify probable causes, with customized reason trees to record and address alarm triggers.

Real-Time Asset Monitoring

View assets on a single trend or dashboard across the plant, reducing the time and effort required for maintenance.

Company’s Challenges

The plant’s existing PI system functioned primarily as a reporting tool, leaving operators without insight into why alarms occurred or what caused them. Root cause analysis had to be performed manually, and there were no tools customized for power plant operations to identify likely alarm triggers. With each asset capable of generating multiple alarms—and countless process parameters to track—it was impossible for operators to monitor everything in real time. This made maintenance time-consuming and ineffective.

The dataPARC Solution

dataPARC Tools and Historian provided the foundation for a predictive alarming system tailored to the plant’s needs. Using dataPARC’s Logic Builder, the team implemented asset alarm logic designed specifically for coal-fired power generation. Operators can now monitor alarms across all assets in real time and quickly identify the likely causes of deviations, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.