Sentinel Energy Center in Southern California received the ENR West 2024 Best Energy/Industrial Project award for a Black Start-Energy Storage project, and the recognition highlighted a successful approach to grid resilience through integrated controls engineering.
According to the project team: “SISO was absolutely the MVP of the Black Start project…The ‘thread’ that brought it all together.”
This case study examines how SISO Engineering’s controls automation work supported the deployment of a battery-powered Black Start system at an electrical generating facility utilizing gas turbine and battery storage technology.
Project Background
The Southern California facility required Black Start capability to improve site resilience during major grid outages. The objective was to enable independent restart without reliance on external power, allowing the plant to serve as a grid stability resource during regional disturbances.
SISO Engineering has supported the facility’s control systems since 2018. For this project, the existing GE Proficy Cimplicity platform was selected as the integration framework for the battery system add-ons.
Technical Approach
The scope of work centered on expanding the Cimplicity infrastructure to accommodate the Black Start application requirements.
Control Narrative Development
New control narratives were developed specifically for the Black Start application, addressing the interaction between battery systems, turbine controls, and balance-of-plant equipment. This included sequencing logic for startup procedures and coordination protocols for system transitions.
HMI Design and Implementation
Custom HMI displays were created to provide operators with visibility into battery readiness, system status, and turbine start sequences. The interface design prioritized clear information hierarchy during Black Start events when operators require immediate access to critical parameters.
BOP Coordination Logic
Additional logic was built and tested to manage coordination between the battery system, turbine controls, and plant auxiliaries. Automated safeguards were incorporated to reduce risk during critical transitions and minimize the potential for operator error during high-pressure situations.
Software-Based Integration
By leveraging Cimplicity’s flexibility, the project minimized the need for external hardware modifications. This approach supported faster deployment timelines while maintaining system reliability standards.
Implementation Results
The Cimplicity-based controls system has been activated twice following separate utility disturbances. In both instances, the facility successfully restored generation independently, validating system performance under actual operating conditions rather than solely test scenarios.
The facility now functions as a grid stability resource, capable of independent recovery during major outages and contributing to regional resilience infrastructure.
Technical Considerations
Platform Selection: Cimplicity’s SCADA system provided the necessary flexibility for custom application development while integrating with existing control infrastructure.
Operator Interface Design: HMI modifications focused on usability during emergency conditions, when cognitive load is high and response time is critical.
Logic Testing: Extensive testing of BOP coordination logic prior to commissioning identified edge cases and refined automated sequences.
Existing Infrastructure: SISO’s six-year engagement with the facility’s control systems provided institutional knowledge that informed design decisions and integration approaches.
Project Recognition
The ENR West 2024 Best Energy/Industrial Project award recognizes the collaborative effort across the project team.
SISO supported this project from conceptual system design to enable advanced power generation capabilities. The successful integration of battery storage with existing gas turbine operations required custom control narratives, operator interfaces, and coordination logic tailored to the specific application requirements.
SISO Engineering’s approach—leveraging existing platform capabilities, prioritizing operator needs, and applying facility-specific knowledge—supported the deployment of a reliable Black Start system now validated through real-world activations.
SISO Engineering specializes in control system support, design, and upgrades for gas turbine systems. Our work encompasses controls automation, remote monitoring, and diagnostic platforms that support operational reliability and efficiency.
