Elite Control Systems will continue to support Whitelee Windfarm, the UK’s largest onshore windfarm, with its automation and control system technology, and rapid response support services. The ScottishPower Renewables site’s 215 turbines are capable of generating up to 539 megawatts of cleaner, greener power (photo: Elite Control Systems)

Elite Control Systems, provider of systems integration services, has announced that it has been awarded a second contract by ScottishPower Renewables. The agreement requires Elite Control Systems to continue to supply rapid response support services for the 29 onshore wind systems that ScottishPower Renewables operates across Scotland.

ScottishPower Renewables, which has invested significantly in automation and control system technology to operate its wind turbines, looks to Elite Control Systems to ensure that the automated process control systems it uses are functioning properly, around the clock. To achieve this, Elite Control Systems’ dedicated Support Services stands ready to respond to control system events that could disrupt operation.

“Elite will respond immediately to any type of control system issue, from PLC failures to hardware or network communications problems,” says Juan Carlos Di Bella, Engineering Manager for Elite Control Systems. “Given the high profile and sheer scale of the wind farm network, it’s extremely satisfying that ScottishPower Renewables has renewed its existing support contract with us. The confidence they have in our expertise and responsiveness is clear. They can rest assured that we are only a phone call away, ready to provide them with immediate support for these systems that are so critical to the entire ScottishPower Renewables network.”

Elite Control Systems has been providing ongoing rapid response control support services to ScottishPower Renewables since 2015 when the two companies entered into the initial agreement. However, their working relationship goes back to 2013. Since then, Elite Control Systems has provided the company with wind turbine networking gear upgrades and conducted an extensive audit of its current control infrastructure.

In addition to Scottish Power Renewables, Elite Control Systems’ Support Services division provides similar support to Amazon UK, Diageo Distilling, Glenmorangie Ltd and INEOS.

The company’s engineering team is fully briefed on every customer’s needs, and is on-hand around the clock. Whether a customer has a comprehensive 24/7 support plan in place or is on an ad hoc call-out basis, Elite engineers are ready to respond so that production is up and running as quickly as possible.

The recent addition of Vibration Monitoring and Profibus network health checks to its Support Services portfolio is particularly meaningful because companies can now derive comprehensive support, without going to the expense of creating extensive support teams internally. Companies can access Elite’s engineering expertise, as well as that of its partners who are some of the world’s leading automation and process control manufacturers.

Elite also offers breakdown support for PLC, SCADA, IT systems and network infrastructure, including integrity testing. Its Support Services engineers also conduct system audits, health checks, minor modifications, and on–the-job training for clients’ employees.

Tags: Elite Control Systems, ScottishPower Renewables