Travel back a few decades, or just 10 years for that matter, and you might find a biomass infrastructure that looks a lot different. For instance, you might not see a biomass control room with operators en masse—but there’d be more than just a handful. Now, biomass plants operate with fewer on-site personnel, and intuitive automation systems back a lion’s share of plant processes. But, even with these changes in tow, that’s not to say that jobs have been lost—just redirected. In effect, biomass automation has allowed the industry to stay competitive, even as the energy sphere spins in new directions.
Going Back in Biomass’ History
Biomass plants first started in the U.S. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this time period, many were being built, and all with roughly the same framework: plant boilers burned fuel aimed at driving a steam-powered turbine to make electrical power. And this has, on the whole, remained an industry signature. Except for one, not-so-small detail—the level of sophistication has increased drastically with the adoption of automation technologies.
A Long Time Coming
Even though AI-based tools graced the industry two decades back, that was well before the reign of automation advances such as remote work and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the biomass industry. Biomass automation has leapt light years in technological terms, sending a slew of benefits on down the line with it. And plants who’ve adopted widespread automation have reaped the rewards, seeing upswings in energy efficiency, better operator control, and less maintenance and service life demands.
The influx of new biomass automation technologies has also caused some staffing shake-ups or, more accurately, retoolings. Not to fear, workflow hasn’t seen hits, nor has job creation; quite the contrary, in fact. Even though operators have seen their roles change, that can actually be a good thing for safety, productivity, effectiveness, and the biomass industry on the whole. This is especially true if infrastructure incorporates intuitive interfaces and modern controls. Biomass automation is no bogeyman; some research has suggested growth in good-paying, high-quality jobs through its use.
Servicing has also seen an uptick in sophistication since the arrival of biomass automation. Due to the particular nature of biomass, problems in production siphon away a coveted resource for any business: money. Some research pegs energy output for biomass factories as two-fold in costs compared to coal-backed power plants. However, with remote work operation, plants have been able to buck some of those steep costs because of the immediate servicing an experienced operator can provide—even when not on-site.
We Bring Automation To You
If your plant is ready to see the dividends paid back by biomass automation, trust Revere Control Systems as a resource and ally. We have biomass automation integration expertise that sticks to schedule, remains within budget, and keeps the channels of communication continually open. Let us help streamline your plant’s processes and solidify your stake in the sphere of energy production.