We Energies Selects Invensys To Implement SimSci-Esscor Operator Training Simulators.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Multi-million dollar simulation project will help this large public utility maintain operational excellence across its fleet of electric generating assets

We Energies, a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, has awarded Invensys Process Systems a multi-million dollar contract to implement Operator Training Simulators (OTS) throughout this large public utility's fleet of electric generating stations.

The contract includes the development and implementation of a SimSci-Esscor brand DYNSIM high-fidelity plant simulator for We Energies' two existing 650 MW coal-fired units at Pleasant Prairie, WI and at the company's two new 615 MW coal-fired super-critical units planned for construction at Oak Creek, WI. Invensys' single-source OTS solution for the high-fidelity plant simulators will merge the power and flexibility of SimSci-Esscor's DYNSIM process modeling tools with Emerson Process Management's virtual stimulation software for the OVATION distributed control system.

Invensys will also provide a generic (non-high fidelity) 690 MW Drum Unit simulator to be used to help train operators across We Energies' fleet of generating assets.

According to Steve Allison, a training and development consultant at We Energies, "This combination of high-fidelity and generic training simulators will be used to help us achieve and maintain a high level of operational excellence. Due to the impending retirement of many of our most experienced process control operators, the simulators will help us jump-start the training of younger operators, enabling them to respond more effectively to a wide variety of plant situations. Perhaps more importantly, the simulators will enable operations management to replicate events and capture data that can be used to provide the empirical evidence needed to effect change and continuously improve operations.

"The SimSci-Esscor simulators will also provide plant engineers with an effective validation tool to try out and evaluate new control strategies in a safe, offline environment.

"Invensys made our short list of vendors that had the specific resources, experience, and knowledge base needed to successfully implement this important OTS project. From this list, we ultimately selected Invensys because the company's DYNSIM OTS solution utilizes very flexible object-oriented technology and a user-friendly Windows interface that eliminate the need for IT support staff," said Allison.

About We Energies

We Energies (www.we-energies.com) services more than one million electric customers in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula and more than one million natural gas customer in Wisconsin. Its energy prices are more than 10 percent below the average for major U.S. cities. We Energies is the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas LLC, the principal utility subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC).

The Invensys Group (www.invensys.com) is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.