GEMark* V to Mark* VIe Migration

Overview

GE is proud to provide controls you can trust from experts you 

can trust. You can now add significant new performance 

enhancements to your Mark V control. GE offers a Mark VIe upgrade 

package with many new features and algorithms for new turbine 

functions, such as advanced dry low NOx

 systems and operational 

flexibility (OpFlex*) enhancements. The upgrade includes a 

complete modernization of operator stations and networks to 

current technology.

eTechnology Benefits

The Mark VIe provides performance, operability and reliability for 

today’s connected plant.

• Increased computational power – advanced technology 

Mark VIe processors provide access to sophisticated software 

enhancement modules to improve turbine performance, reliability, 

and operability. 

• Intuitive features – GE’s powerful ToolboxST* software, with 

modern drag-and-drop type editors, industry leading trender with 

video type forward-reverse-freeze capability, and code-compare 

tools.

• Increased operational productivity – user-friendly HMI 

graphics, alarm/event management, and trending leading to 

improved operator recognition and resolution of system faults.

• Maintenance efficiency improvements – reduced engineering 

time due to a single integrated software tool for configuring 

networks, processors, and I/O boards, along with editing 

application software, managing block libraries, and displaying 

system diagnostics.

• Latest GE software libraries – Leverages years of GE OEM 

experience to ensure safety-related software updates are 

delivered while also retaining the majority of the existing control 

system customization. 

• Improved reliability – TMR controller redundancy provides 2 

out of 3 voting to improve reliability and eliminate single-point 

communication failures within the control. 

• I/O expandability – flexible and modular architecture allows for 

future growth of capabilities and applications.

• Built with cyber security best practices – Achilles™ 

Communications Certification Level 1 Mark VIe Controllers 

feature hardened network switches and HMIs within a segmented 

network.

Hardware Features

The Mark V to VIe migration consists of a streamlined hardware 

configuration to provide the performance capabilities and reliability 

to meet the requirements of your operation.

• Reduced downtime – a migration can be done in as few as 9 days 

with 5 outage days using the existing cabinet footprint, with no 

impact to field wiring or turbine devices. Coordinated installation 

between the customer and GE reduces migration time and 

provides on-site education during installation.

• Ethernet backbone – provides expandability as well as 

protection against control system component obsolescence. 

In other words, obsolescence is now handled “componentby-component” rather than “system-by-system.” Modernized 

communication conforms to modern IEEE 802.3 standards.

• Lifecycle maintainability – the new Mark VIe boards and the 

existing Mark V components not replaced during the migration 

process assume the lifecycle and support of the Mark VIe control 

system.

Operator Interface

The HMI for the Mark VIe uses a Windows™ operating system. With 

this HMI, your existing operator and maintenance stations will have 

the latest HMI/SCADA Cimplicity* graphics system featuring easy 

screen navigation, alarm/event management and trending tools. In 

addition, Windows™ 7 HMIs use the latest versions of ControlST* 

and ToolBoxST which will augment your existing Modbus and TCP-IP 

GSM links to plant controls.

OpFlex Software Enhancement Modules

GE’s OpFlex software enhancement modules add significant new 

performance enhancements to your Mark VIe turbine control to 

improve reliability, provide system diagnostics, help to prevent 

trips, and improve operator productivity. There are four packages 

featuring 20 modules which complement the power of the Mark VIe 

control system.

Cyber Security

Upgrading to the Mark VIe control system allows you to take 

advantage of GE’s cyber security solutions, helping reduce your risk. 

Our cyber security solution provides defense-in-depth protection. 

The SecurityST* Mark VIe Solution and Commissioning Services is 

Achilles™ Practice Certified – Bronze, indicating the solution has 

undergone strict cyber security best practices demonstrating to 

customers that systems are developed and implemented securely. 

The Security ST appliance and Cyber Asset Protection Subscription 

are designed to support the plant operation’s compliance to cyber 

security standards and guidelines including NERC CIP, NEI 08-09 

and ISA99/IEC 62443. 

Controls LifeCare* Partnership

This comprehensive subscription helps to maintain the health 

of turbine and plant control, generator control and static starter 

systems. Subscribers benefit from GE expertise and a true 

partnership in the maintenance and servicing of control systems 

with a simple, packaged approach. Controls LifeCare is available in 

one-, five- and ten-year agreements and is applicable for both new 

and existing units.

Mechanical Solutions Options

GE’s electromechanical solutions are a critical piece of a control 

system migration or full panel retrofit. Integration considerations 

need to be made based on the age of control system and the 

interface with the software and electromechanical components. 

GE has the expertise and OEM knowledge to evaluate these needs 

to ensure assets remain reliable. Our solutions have the potential to 

improve performance, online capability, provide redundancy and fit 

within the current operations envelope. 

Critical components that need to be evaluated include transducers 

and transmitters, fuel valves and fuel skids, and speed sensing. 

GE also provides solutions for Trip Manifold Assemblies (TMAs), 

Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs), and other assets that are important 

to operations. Our experience includes steam, hydro, and gas 

turbines as well as balance of plant. We have the application 

knowledge to make sure that your assets are upgraded correctly.