Energy & Utilities
Control Rooms for Power Stations and Utilities
Unit, network and dispatch control rooms for generation, transmission and utilities, designed around the operator and upgraded inside outage windows.
We have designed control suites for new-build and life-extension power station projects, from the unit desk to the simulator.
Unit and plant control rooms
Desks, overviews and sightlines built around the unit operator’s actual tasks.
Network and dispatch centres
Multi-operator rooms for generation and transmission monitoring.
Outage-window upgrades
Staged changeovers and temporary control rooms while the neighbouring unit generates.
Simulators and training rooms
Instructor and trainee positions that mirror the live room.
Electrical operating desks
Dedicated positions for the electrical operator, integrated into the suite.
Recent Power Station Work
Coal-fired power station, Mpumalanga
Unit control rooms upgraded inside 77-day outages while the neighbouring unit kept generating.
Ergonomic design, consoles, supervision
Two new-build power stations
Main, electrical, simulator and support control rooms on two 6-unit stations.
Concept and detail design, consoles
Temporary control rooms
Interim rooms so operations and training could start before the permanent suite was ready.
Design and supply
Designed for Live Generation
77
day outage windows we design upgrades into
6
units per station, run from 3 dual-unit consoles
2
new-build six-unit stations, main control rooms designed
15+
years designing power station control suites
Client and site names are not published. See our projects.
Standards Behind Every Design
We design with reference to the standards that matter for people in control rooms. Tap a card to see what each one covers.
ISO 11064Ergonomic design of control centresTap to read more
Layout, workstation, display and environmental requirements for control rooms, from concept to evaluation.
ISO 6385Ergonomics of work systemsTap to read more
The principles behind designing work around people: tasks, equipment and environment together.
EEMUA 201Control room design guidanceTap to read more
Practical guidance on human-centred control room and HMI design for process industries.
EEMUA 191Alarm systemsTap to read more
How to design, manage and measure alarm systems so operators are not flooded.
ISA-18.2 / IEC 62682Alarm management lifecycleTap to read more
The lifecycle for alarm philosophy, rationalisation and performance monitoring.
ISA-101HMI designTap to read more
How operator screens should be structured, from plant overview down to equipment detail.
IOGP 454Human factors in projectsTap to read more
Human factors engineering built into capital projects from the start.
Your site codesLocal and owner specificationsTap to read more
Your own specifications and the codes in force where you build always take precedence.
Frequently asked questions
Can you upgrade a unit control room during an outage?
Yes. We plan the work to fit the outage, with temporary rooms and staged changeovers so the neighbouring unit keeps generating.
Do you design to the utility’s own ergonomic standard?
Yes. The owner’s design guideline takes precedence; we design to it and document compliance.
Do you design simulator rooms?
Yes, including instructor positions that mirror the live control room.