Applying the systems methodology in the design of the West Point cogeneration power plant

The "intelligent power plant project" (IPPP) is an interdisciplinary capstone project consisting of systems engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science students from the United States Military Academy at West Point. In order to maximize power plant efficiency and ultimately reduce costs, we designed a computer system to acquire and process data in order to provide an optimal operating method for the West Point cogeneration power plant (WPCPP). Neural networks provided the framework for the intelligent power plant analysis tool (IPPAT). When coupled with a graphical user interface (GUI), IPPAT allows the plant operator to analyze the power plant, monitor predictions, control the plant in an optimal manner, and provide the supervisor with information assurance. The systems approach used to solve this problem and the subsequent challenges of managing an interdisciplinary capstone team will be discussed here.