Emerson has launched new software designed to automate synchronisation between live power and water control systems and their digital twin simulations, addressing a common challenge of keeping both environments aligned as systems evolve.
The company’s Ovation Curation Tool provides version control and change management across multiple Ovation control systems and simulators. It automatically identifies changes made to production systems and allows validated updates to be deployed to digital twins or other control systems.
Configuration drift between live systems and digital twins can occur as operators and engineers make changes to plant controls over time. Maintaining consistency has typically relied on manual comparisons and updates, which can be time-consuming.
According to Emerson, the software records changes at user-defined intervals, such as weekly, monthly or on demand, creating an audit trail showing what was changed, when it was changed and by whom. The company says this can reduce manual engineering work while supporting compliance and troubleshooting.
The software also includes an impact analysis feature that assesses how proposed changes could affect the target system before synchronisation takes place. Once changes have been reviewed, users can automate deployment between production systems, digital twins and other Ovation control systems.
“Keeping a digital twin continually synchronised with live systems has always been a challenge, and that challenge continues to increase as workforce shortages make it more difficult to find and retain expert personnel,” said Rick Kephart, vice president of technology for Emerson’s power and water business. “The Ovation Curation Tool helps teams deliver lifecycle value for Emerson’s Ovation Digital Twin by making it easy to ensure simulations stay relevant, providing continuous benefit through improved training, testing, engineering and forecasting.”
The software uses a repository-based approach to transfer data between production systems and simulators while maintaining synchronisation. It also allows multiple users to work on the same assets and merge changes.
Emerson will demonstrate the Ovation Curation Tool at its Ovation Users Group Conference, taking place in Pittsburgh from July 26-30.
