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GE Energy Updates Operations Center
 When GE Energy decided to upgrade its Operations Center with all new technology the decision created a need for updated technical furniture. To fulfill this need GE Energy turned to Technical Interiors (TI). Technical Interiors has upgraded control rooms in 1/3 of the nuclear plants across the United States and specializes in the design, development, fabrication and installation of workstations for complex technical environments.
The GE Energy Operations Center in Atlanta, Georgia monitors a fleet of over 900 turbines, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for customers located on every continent around the globe. Operations Center Specialists monitor the functioning heavy-duty gas turbines, as well as steam turbines at combined cycle plants.
"Technical Interiors' level of service is very high quality. They are able to respond to customers' needs very effectively because of their size; they know each customer individually. There's a much more personal level of support from them as opposed to a larger company," says GE Energy Operations Center Support Engineer, Ted Michel.
TI uses a four-phase design process to create dynamic, human-engineered and ergonomic work environments that are functionally efficient, visually attractive, and meet each client's precise requirements.
Phase I is the schematic design and mock-up phase, consists of spending time at the job site and talking with each operator to determine specific needs and design requirements. Initial schematic designs are created at this time. Optional 3D models of the control room layout can also be created during this phase and used to evaluate and fine-tune the schematic design.
TI worked closely with GE Energy during the schematic design and mock-up phase to determine the specific needs of the project defined by the new technology that was to be installed in the operations center. Ergonomic needs of the operators were taken into consideration.
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During Phase II, the detail design for layout drawings and fabrication phase. The designs are fine-tuned and elements such as design elevation, sightlines, work surface detailing and on-site measurements are reviewed. Two iterations of the operation center's initial design were created during this phase.
Ultimately, an arc design was used in the GE Energy Operations Center. Six workstations face the existing monitor wall while three additional workstations face the opposite direction. This provides a 360-degree view for the center as well as creating a cooperative workspace that allows all of the specialists to interact. Additional ergonomic considerations included a large workspace with added legroom for the specialists.
Each workstation has three flat-panel monitors, one mouse, one keyboard and a telephone. Also, two 42" LCD monitors were mounted for units on alert watch. The CPUs driving the monitoring system are centrally located, away from the workstations, in drawers that eliminate clutter but allow easy access to the electronics for maintenance. Distracting elements such as wires and CPUs are also out of the way, but remain easily accessible when the need arises.
 Phase III is the fabrication phase. TI manufactures modular workstation components using the highest quality materials and workmanship. The workstations are Technical Interiors' Freeform custom consoles designed specifically for the GE Operations Center. The work-surface is Corian® Solid Surface with an under-counter frame constructed of 1-1/2", 16-guage cold rolled steel tubing. The base and curved portions of the workstation were created using flexible 5/8" plywood, vacuum-formed over a mold created by TI to obtain and maintain the curvature specified by their design.
Phase IV is shipping of components, unpacking, final base frame assembly, workstation installation, "fit-up" and "seaming" of the Corian® work-surface and technical support. Optional wall, ceiling and lighting treatments are also installed during this final phase.
As they do with every project, Technical Interiors used their comprehensive four-phase design process to create a new GE Energy Operations Center that is tailored to meet the client's unique needs by constructing custom-designed workstations that are ergonomically sound, human engineered and attractive. |
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