"Using MatrikonOPC Tunneller greatly simplified OPC configuration"
Cogeneration (cogen) is the simultaneous production of heat and power in a single thermodynamic process. It is widely used throughout the world for efficient production of heat and power.
In conjunction with a major feedlot operator, the Alberta Research Council (ARC) developed an eight million dollar cogen project that transforms manure into energy, bio-based fertilizers and reusable water, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with land application of manure.
The cogen engine itself is controlled by a PLC, and is monitored through Siemens' WinCC HMI (Human Machine Interface), which supports OPC connections. ARC wrote an OPC enabled Java client using OPI's JOPCClient software, to optimize the performance of the engine.
The problem ARC faced was getting the Java application to communicate with the HMI. Because the two applications were on different domains, standard DCOM settings would not allow the OPC applications to exchange data.
Rather than attempt to bypass DCOM security, ARC chose to use MatrikonOPC Tunneller instead. "Using OPC Tunneller greatly simplified the configuration of the OPC subsystem" said Marc Provencher, System Architect at ARC. "We saved days of configuration and learning time by using the Tunnelling solution".
Currently the system is controlling approximately 65 tags updating every 5 seconds.
About ARC
The Alberta Research Council delivers innovative science and technology solutions, meeting the needs of industry and government, in Alberta and beyond. Our integrated, multi-disciplinary teams help our customers and partners take technologies from the laboratory to the field, strengthening their competitiveness and sustainability.