At the Niederaussem lignite-fired power plant, energy experts can now work even more safely – thanks to the Novigo voice alarm and public address system from Siemens.
The four remaining power plant units of RWE's Niederaussem lignite-fired power plant supply 2,495 megawatts of electricity – with its enormous efficiency of 43 percent, the reactor also holds a world record. Shortly before the latest overhaul in power plant unit K, in which the systems and turbines are maintained, his alarm system failed. Quick and smooth replacement was required.
Clear alerting
During an overhaul, up to 2,000 employees work in the boiler house, which is up to 167 metres high, full of high-performance technology. Some of them are only in the power plant once a year and do not know their way around. Therefore, they must be able to rely on the alarm system at all times. However, a complete modernization of the system and its peripherals, such as the loudspeakers, would not be possible in the given time. The solution: a powerful alarm system that continues to use the existing, still functional peripherals.
The Novigo voice alarm and public address system convinces RWE – it can be installed directly on the existing peripherals and put into operation quickly.
Cables and loudspeakers will be retained
Around 70 loudspeakers and many kilometres of pipes in power plant block K are still working perfectly and can be easily integrated into the new voice alarm and public address system. The experts at Siemens equip the loudspeakers with suitable end-of-line modules that continuously check the integrity of the cables and automatically report any errors. This saves effort, time and therefore money. In addition, the new system meets the requirements of the DIN VDE 0833-4 and DIN EN 54-16 standards for reliability. A team of Siemens technicians will install the system during the overhaul, thus ensuring this extensive process and normal operation in the large power plant.
Crystal-clear alerting
The approximately 2,000 employees who are in power plant unit K during the recurring inspections must be able to rely on the alarm system at all times. You need to hear the sound information perfectly at every point of the building and recognize it as an alarm. In addition to alarm tones, the system also offers the option of playing defined voice announcements or transmitting live announcements. Thanks to its powerful configuration software, Novigo is easy to configure to meet future needs – even without rebooting.
can be reused seamlessly with Novigo
Novigo can be scaled and configured as required
the alarm sound can be heard in all parts of the building
The repair of the alarm system at RWE's large power plant in Niederaussem with the Novigo voice alarm and public address system from Siemens brings many advantages for operators and employees alike. The clear alerting and rapid evacuation of the power plant in an emergency not only ensures the recurring inspection, but also the normal operation of the power plant. At the same time, the modular system can be quickly integrated into the existing peripherals and saves a lot of effort thanks to its simple configuration. And Novigo is future-proof: for many years to come, spare parts will be available for all components used, which Siemens supplies as part of a maintenance and service contract – a real plus and a sustainable investment in building safety.