Scheduled to be commissioned in December 2016, the NYPA’s Smart Operations Center is expected to play a major role in achieving the state’s five-year strategic vision.
The NYPA’s strategic vision plan aims to improve the efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness of its 16 generating facilities and electricity transmission network.
The center is planned to be significantly expanded to include digitally-enabled communications, network operations, cybersecurity and physical security across its generation fleet and transmission system.
As part of the deal, GE will provide asset performance management (APM) software, which leverages data analytics to monitor power generation and transmission equipment to help operators predict potential failures.
NYPA president and CEO Gil Quiniones said: “This digital solutions platform supports our primary mission to provide customers with low-cost, clean, reliable power with the industry-leading energy infrastructure and services they value.”
The software is also designed to reduce unplanned downtime while lowering maintenance costs and operational risks.
GE Power chief digital officer Ganesh Bell said: “The digital transformation of electric power has the potential to create more than a trillion dollars of economic and societal value in the next decade.”
The APM software is expected to improve system-wide performance and operating costs of NYPA’s hydroelectric and gas-based electricity generation capability.
GE said that the hydropower plants and low-emitting natural gas plants in the state account to 15-20% of the state’s daily power output.
