Emerson Acquires Turbine Control Service

Jan. 27, 2011
TCSA brings expertise in excitation control for power generation industry, adds to power automation portfolio

Emerson Electric Co., which manufactures automation and control systems for power-generation companies, has bought Pittsburgh-based Turbine Control Service Associates Inc. for an unreported price. Turbine Control manufactures generator excitation control systems for power plants, which an Emerson spokesman said brings “very industry-specific expertise” that is important to Emerson customers in the power-generation industry.

Turbine Control’s generator excitation systems control generators driven by large and small steam turbines, combustion turbines, and hydroelectric turbines, and are used at power plants to improve generator performance and reliability. Its Digital Generator Controller (DGC) system is in place at numerous power plants, controlling generation of thousands of megawatts at nuclear, fossil and hydroelectric power plants.

The DGC is a modular digital replacement “for virtually any existing excitation control system,” according to Turbine Control, as well as a reliable option for new OEM installations.

“Our organizations share a common vision and passion for providing world-class turbine-generator control solutions to the power generation industry,” stated Emerson Process Management president Steve Sonnenberg. “While this acquisition further strengthens Emerson’s leadership position in automating power generation facilities, the real winners are our respective customers, who will benefit from our expanded portfolio of innovative technologies and industry-specific expertise.”

Emerson Process Management is an operating unit of Emerson that offers automation technology for production, processing, and distribution in the power, water and wastewater treatment, chemical, oil and gas, refining, pulp and paper, mining and metals, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries.