Enhance Vital Systems
Balance of plant systems are critical to keeping operations running smoothly
In a modern power generation facility, balance of plant assets like cooling towers, emissions control systems, and auxiliary pumps support the continuous operation of critical equipment. Real-time monitoring, intelligent diagnostics, and adaptive control technologies can reduce unplanned outages, improve maintenance planning, and increase plant output. With scalable, interoperable platforms, facilities can achieve lower lifecycle costs while maintaining compliance and availability targets.
Balance of Plant Solutions in Action
Successful deployment of monitoring and control solutions across cooling towers, air quality systems, and pumps have helped power producers reduce water and energy consumption, extend asset life, and meet strict regulatory standards. By identifying early signs of degradation or failure, facilities can shift from reactive to predictive maintenance strategies—minimizing costs and enhancing operational readiness.
Boost System Uptime with Intelligent Monitoring
Cooling towers are critical to plant operation, but they are often under-automated and periodically monitored due to the high cost of implementing a continuous-monitoring system. Improving control strategies and implementing wireless automation enables you to maintain reliable operations with better condenser cooling to maximize turbine output.
Rosemount™ 1056 Intelligent Four-Wire Transmitter
Simplify configuration and calibration of multiple liquid analysis measurements with one versatile transmitter.
Rosemount™ 644 Temperature Transmitter
Achieve accurate and stable temperature measurement with advanced diagnostics and configuration flexibility.
AMS Machinery Manager
Centralize asset diagnostics and streamline maintenance planning with powerful data analytics tools.
Solution-Related Documents for Balance of Plant
Discover our collection of resources to see how intelligent technologies can reduce resource consumption, extend asset life, and enable predictive maintenance strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Balance of plant systems are essential to the reliable and efficient operation of coal-fired and gas-fired power plants. They include all supporting components and auxiliary systems that keep core processes running smoothly. Browse these frequently asked questions to learn how Emerson technologies help monitor, control, and optimize BOP systems to reduce downtime, minimize emissions, and improve overall plant efficiency.
In thermal power generation like coal power plants and natural gas power plants, balance of plant refers to all the supporting systems and infrastructure in a thermal power plant, excluding the main power-generating units like boilers, turbines, and generators. This includes pumps, fans, compressors, water treatment, fuel handling, and electrical systems.
BOP systems ensure the core power generation equipment operates reliably and efficiently. Without well-functioning BOP components, overall plant performance, safety, and emissions compliance can be compromised.
BOP examples include auxiliary steam systems, flue gas desulfurization (FGD), air pollution control systems, water treatment, and fuel handling and storage. This is the same for combined cycle power plants, cogeneration plants and coal power plants.
Automation increases operational efficiency, minimizes human error, reduces maintenance costs, and provides real-time performance insights for faster decision-making.
Predictive maintenance uses real-time condition monitoring and analytics to forecast equipment issues before failures occur, reducing unplanned downtime and extending asset life.
Efficient BOP operation reduces auxiliary power consumption, supports consistent process flow, and ensures optimal performance of primary equipment, contributing to overall plant output.