Projects
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Drax Power Limited, SCADA Upgrade
Morson Praxis were appointed by Drax Power Ltd to deliver a comprehensive SCADA upgrade at their biomass power station in North Yorkshire, enhancing the control and monitoring of their electrical distribution system to support reliable and efficient operations.
Client Brief
Modern SCADA for Biomass Operations
Drax Power Ltd required a modern Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to manage their 11kV and 415v electrical distribution systems, including enabling works for a biomass project, and to provide centralised monitoring, control, and data acquisition across the site.
Project Overview
Integrated Systems for Seamless Performance
Morson Praxis’ specialist power division, Ematics, was engaged to deliver 11kV enabling works, installing new biomass switchboards, step-down transformers, refurbished breakers, and an essential supplies system. The project also required integration with Drax’s existing reporting, alarm, and industrial defence systems, ensuring seamless operation across the power station.
Image Gallery
Visualising Power in Action: SCADA Upgrade at Drax Biomass Station
Our Solution
Smart, Redundant, and Fully Integrated
The project introduced a new SCADA Control System with dual redundant processors, I/O racks, SCADA servers, operator and engineer workstations, and a dedicated fibre optic Ethernet network. The system integrated ABB switchboards, PLCs, remote I/O units, and intelligent relays to provide real-time monitoring and control. Morson Praxis delivered CAD drawings, containment and network infrastructure design, electrical installation, software development, system architecture, and full testing and commissioning. The team ensured compliance with Drax standards while providing value engineering, flexible approaches, and innovative solutions.
Results
Enhanced Control and Operational Resilience
The upgraded SCADA system allows centralised monitoring and control of the power station’s electrical distribution, improving operational reliability and resilience. Intelligent relays with web interfaces and redundant communication networks ensure continuous data collection, fault tolerance, and remote access. The project was delivered efficiently, meeting safety and performance standards, while adding long-term operational value to the biomass power station.
