At its waste-to-energy plant in Weurt, near Nijmegen, ARN B.V. generates sustainable electricity and heat from residual waste. The installation operates almost continuously, so the reliability and safety of its critical systems are essential. During a scheduled maintenance stop, ARN replaced its ageing Jaquet FT3000 with Istec’s SpeedSys 300, implementing a modern SIL 3 overspeed protection system upgrade as part of a broader turbine protection retrofit
The challenge: ageing safety equipment
The Jaquet FT3000 overspeed protection system had safeguarded the turbines for over 15 years. Once the manufacturer declared it obsolete, spare parts and technical support were no longer available. Since overspeed protection plays a crucial role in turbine safety, ARN decided to replace the system to maintain operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Istec, a long-term technology partner of ARN, noticed that both the FT3000 and the vibration protection system (VM600 MK1)* were nearing the end of their service life. To minimise downtime and optimise planning, both systems were replaced during a single maintenance window. This coordinated approach ensured consistent performance and reliability across both turbines.
*Read about the replacement of the VM600MK2 in the following case study.
The solution: implementing SIL 3 overspeed protection
Istec supplied and pre-configured the new SpeedSys 300 SIL 3 overspeed protection system, the direct successor to the FT3000. The SpeedSys 300 provides the same core functionality but adds modern diagnostics, flexible configuration, and a higher safety integrity level. In addition, the system is TÜV-certified to SIL 3 according to IEC 61508, making it a compact and future-proof choice for modern overspeed protection in critical turbine applications.
ARN’s in-house maintenance team installed the system using the detailed wiring diagrams and configuration files supplied by Istec. Afterwards, Istec performed a full commissioning check to verify wiring, signal integrity, and alarm activation. “The control and verification of the systems are essential for safe operation,” says Bas Willemssen, Maintenance Engineer at ARN. “An overspeed protection system must be tested in every detail to ensure flawless performance under all conditions.”
The result: improved safety and simplified maintenance
The turbine protection retrofit was completed successfully within one maintenance stop, avoiding additional downtime. The SpeedSys 300 now ensures reliable turbine protection under all operating conditions. Furthermore, the upgrade improves diagnostics, simplifies maintenance, and enhances functional safety.
The partnership between ARN and Istec demonstrates trust, technical precision, and clear communication. With the implementation of the SpeedSys 300, ARN has taken a decisive step toward a fully SIL 3-certified overspeed protection system, supported by a trusted Dutch partner.
