The Importance of the Right Project Partner
How to select a project partner
HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT PARTNER FOR MY PROJECT
These are the minimum requirements that a supplier must meet.
- He must have the right technical solutions already proven in practice
- He must have the right way and method to validate the automation before delivery: The importance of an emulation system
- He must have a proven methodology for validating automation on site
- It has a 24/7 After-sales organization specifically for automation performed by highly trained engineers
- He must allow the customer to choose the technical products.
Selecting a partner for energy critical installations is not easy.
- The ideal partner must first know your business, your processes and needs.
- He must have the experience and know-how to provide the right solution that will move you forward as a business in the long run.
- He has the right engineers with the capabilities and experience to turn the solution found into a working design.
- He must have the right people to figure everything out correctly, program, implement, test and start up.
- Have trained engineers who can also provide fast and correct service.
- He must be able to use the right products to ensure the greatest safety and operation of the system.
- He must have a system that allows the installation to be simulated before it goes to the construction site.
- Allows customers to choose their products
- Has simulation method to test automation before installation
- Has simulation method to test automation off-site (before and after startup)
The customer should develop the following reflexes
5 points that are very important to evaluate
5 points that are very important to evaluate
1. Technical solution for:
Ensure maximum security at the level of electrical presence (redundancies, communication management, hacking, etc.)
Optimal and simple operation of the installation (Operation, Maintenance)
In the event of an incident, be able to diagnose and analyze malfunctions and switch to "degraded operation" modes to always guarantee power supply to the most vital consumers (operating rooms, intensive care units, IT, etc.).
Ability to upgrade the installation (open system)
2. Manner and method;
The manner and method of validating automation prior to delivery: Importance of an emulation systemManner and method of validating the installation prior to delivery
Validation of functionalities in the FAT workshop (automatic mode, semi-automatic mode, degraded mode, various test modes)
Validation of any type of error handling (mechanical, electrical, automation)
Test process with real programming in a virtual world (virtual networks, virtual GE, virtual LV and HV circuit breaker, and virtual load)
FAT with emulation (according to protocol in collaboration with customer CLIENT) Validation of communication in layers (process control, visualization, remote access).
3 . Methodology
Methodology for validating automation on siteReal-world validation of functionalities (automatic mode, semi-automatic mode, degraded mode, various test modes)
SAT tests (according to protocol in collaboration with customer) Validation of the correct fault handling of a number of faults (mechanical, electrical, automation)
FAT with emulation (according to protocol in collaboration with customer CLIENT) Validation of communication in layers (process control, visualization, remote access)
!! No customer is able to generate hundreds of power outages to validate in real time the handling of each type of incident, therefore emulation validations during FAT testing are very important.
Customer training: possibility to provide digital twin training to familiarize operators with the installations.
4. After-sales
After-sales organization specific to automation
The customer hopes for good maintenance support and, in the event of a disaster (e.g., complete blackout of the location), the guarantee that the automation partner can provide this:
24/7 on-site assistance guarantees that an expert with detailed knowledge of the specific installation and the installed equipment will be available within a short time to restore power to critical installations as quickly as possible. In case of panic, control can be taken over via remote access (by a specialist) to make the right decisions within 10 minutes while waiting for the expert to arrive on site. This efficient service is guaranteed throughout the entire lifespan of the installation (minimum 25 years).
To this end, the automation partner must: Train experts for the specific installation throughout its entire service life to prevent know-how from diminishing or remaining limited to a single technician.
Conducting on-site training for his staff and for the customer.
5. Selection of technical products
The selection of products used to create integrated control systems for critical installations are
Choice of approved products to automate power generation and primary distribution of critical facilities
Selection of brands with a strong reputation that can guarantee technical support and supply of spare parts throughout the entire service life of the installation.
Technology selection criteria and partner selection.
