LNG Control Center Renovation & Automation Upgrade

The vision was to upgrade all control room equipment, and install one of the world’s first large overview display screens, a state-of-the-art technology at the time. An industry expert wrote a white paper about this re-instrumentation project that references BAW’s expertise and outlines the positive end result. The paper became influential in the industry, and today large display screens in control rooms are commonplace.

Old console technology had to be removed and the new technology installed in the existing space while the plant was running at its usual capacity. To achieve this, BAW Architecture built protective shelters over each operator to shield them from such things as noise and welding sparks. Made from refrigerator siding, they were quickly dubbed “igloos.” As each console was completed, the operator was migrated into the new space.

At first the operators resisted large screens—they were reluctant to be consolidated into one room, and didn’t want their information visible to everyone. But ultimately the operators became converts. A progression took place from rejecting the new technology to appreciating and celebrating it as a major advancement. The screens are expensive—ultimately the operators need to be educated on their benefit and actually use them. In this case there was a paradigm shift, and the new technology became an integrated and celebrated part of their culture.