In the Zeeland Sloe region, the apple-green EP NL Sloe Centrale B.V. is recognizable from afar. Since 2009, this innovative power plant has been converting gas into electricity for the national grid using two gas turbines.
Efficient and sustainable energy generation
“EP NL Sloe Centrale is a highly efficient gas-fired power plant. Thanks to its dynamic energy generation process, it can respond flexibly and quickly to electricity demand,” explains Edwin de Baare. As Operations Manager, he took the lead in this challenging project. From the central control room, the Operations team ensures safe and reliable energy production 24/7. This requires a modern, well-equipped, and ergonomic workstation. After 14 years of service, the central control room was due for an ergonomic modernization. Together with an ergonomic specialist, a set of requirements was drawn up. The Operations team was closely involved in this process. Each shift contributed input through a representative who gathered the wishes and experiences of colleagues.
CREON: a perfect match
Several parties were approached to submit proposals based on the set requirements. CREON’s proposal stood out as the best: it was professional, well-designed, and offered great value for money.
CREON provided three 24/7 workstations for EP NL Sloe Centrale. The central workstation, a modular SPLIT, consists of three interconnected technology modules. This main workstation, equipped with nine monitors, serves as the primary control point for the two gas turbines. The desk surface can be adjusted in height by up to 30 cm for added flexibility and ergonomic comfort.
The outer workstations, each featuring three monitors, are fully adjustable from sitting to standing height. Operators have a perfect view of the multi-meter-wide videowall, which consists of 10 monitors (with space for two additional screens). Both analog and digital meters are integrated into this system, ensuring essential information is readily available. The underlying cabinet spaces, which are part of the videowall, not only provide storage but also contribute to a tidy and organized workstation. CREON also supplied a videowall manager to control the screens and their content.
A workplace to be proud of
“In the old situation, the workstation was a large, cluttered surface with an illogical layout,” recalls De Baare. “Now, we have an excellent overview of processes, security cameras, and the operational schedule for our customer. The workstation is more structured, has a better layout, and offers ample legroom. Everything looks tidier because cables are neatly concealed.”
The positive feedback from operators confirms that the investment in ergonomics, design, and technology has paid off. The renewed control room has exceeded expectations. “Our control room is the calling card of EP NL Sloe Centrale,” says De Baare.
Once again, CREON has proven to be a reliable partner in creating future-proof control rooms.