Mark VIe: OEM control solutions for aeroderivative gas turbines

Yes.  Legacy Mark control systems, including Mark IV, Mark V, and Mark VI platforms, can be migrated to the Mark VIe. The Mark VIe is the preferred upgrade path for plants running any legacy Mark system with each type of installation having a path towards modernization.

For example, GE Vernova has developed and upgraded hundreds of Mark V panels using a migration approach to Mark VIe, which maintains the existing Mark V form factor.  With this migration approach, existing field terminal boards remain in place while newer Mark VIe components are installed, resetting the panel lifecycle to match that of the Mark VIe platform.  It allows plants to move to a more current control platform without performing field wiring determinations, re-terminations, and the required loop checks when field wiring is disturbed.

A more common approach leveraged for other Mark series upgrades includes new Mark VIe equipment to be back plane mounted as assemblies to be installed within the existing cabinet space.  This approach can also be used for replacing non-GE Vernova controls systems, helping to reduce disruption that a cabinet replacement would induce and risk during the upgrade. 

Project timing depends on site conditions and scope, but hardware migration can be completed in a few days in some applications. With proper planning for aeroderivative applications, a Mark VIe migration can be completed within the scope of a hot section exchange, making it practical to advance a controls upgrade without requiring a separate, dedicated outage window.

A key factor is that field wiring into the control cabinet often does not need to be disturbed and remains landed on the initial termination strips. This reduces outage duration, limits installation complexity, and lowers schedule risk as compared to full cabinet replacements.

Yes. Third-party control systems can be replaced with Mark VIe. Depending on the existing installation, the replacement can be implemented in different ways, either as a full control panel replacement or a surgical retrofit within the existing panel footprint using available space, wiring, and functional requirements as the guide. In both cases, the control logic would be reviewed and recreated within the Mark VIe environment using GE Vernova standards to support the plant’s operating needs. 

The platform is structured to support modular upgrades and, in many applications, can reuse existing enclosures and installed wiring. By limiting the amount of rewiring  and retraining of personnel, projects can often be completed more efficiently. This helps reduce outage time and makes modernization efforts more practical for operating plants.

The Mark VIe is built so that major components such as processors, I/O packs, switches, and HMI hardware can be updated independently. Unlike other turbine, DCS, and PLC systems, the Mark VIe does not have a rack.  For example, each CPU, IO Pack, IO network switch utilized are discrete, system components.  This enables distributed installation, modular expansion of an existing system, and component-level replacement as technology advances, without requiring a full system overhaul.  

The Mark VIe also supports configurable redundancy, from single to dual to Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) configurations, allowing plants to match the redundancy level to their specific availability and risk requirements.

The Mark VIe supports long-term lifecycle planning through a combination of modular architecture, hardware refresh options, and ongoing software updates. As components age or become obsolete, individual parts can be replaced without changing the full system. This support makes it easier for plants to maintain a current, supportable controls environment over time while aligning upgrade decisions with outage schedules and operating priorities.

GE Vernova’s Controls Lifecycle Services Multi-Year Agreements support this, helping reduce unplanned risks, manage obsolescence, and plan for unforeseen emergencies. GE Vernova works with plant teams to build lifecycle strategies tailored to their specific operating profile and upgrade priorities.

There are scalable capabilities to help plants maintain a stronger security posture as cybersecurity requirements continue to evolve. The Mark VIe’s processors are designed and tested for cyber resilience. Furthemore, validation and hardening of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) and network switches provides a layer of security and reliability. Other available solution sets may include: Patch Validation Program subscription, firewalls, data diodes, and OTArmor cyber security management system functions (domain controller, centralized antivirus / backups / patch management and log collections as typical). 

Yes. The platform supports secure and compliant remote access as an additional solution for troubleshooting, support, and certain service activities. Remote access to a Mark VIe system requires additional solution sets beyond the platform itself, such as firewalls, secure gateway devices, and site-specific cybersecurity compliance measures. The right configuration depends on the plant's use case and compliance requirements.

GE Vernova supports customers in determining and implementing the appropriate remote access architecture. Where remote access is in place, it can help plant teams respond more quickly to issues, improve access to GE Vernova technical support, and reduce the need for every diagnostic activity to be performed onsite.

The Mark VIe includes integrated diagnostics through its HMI and ControlST software environment. Users can review alarms, sort alarm and event data, examine live values, trace signals into the control logic, view hardware configuration details, and use trending and trip logs to investigate events. Named diagnostic tools include Trip History, Dynamic Data Recorders, and Trender, which support rapid root cause discovery, issue resolution, and return to operation. These tools provide a clearer view into what the system is doing and help teams diagnose plant or equipment dynamics more effectively.

Yes. The platform is structured to help users trace an alarm or operating issue from the HMI into the underlying control logic, hardware configuration, and wiring details. This level of visibility can help reduce time spent identifying the source of a problem and support more targeted corrective action.

Yes. The platform includes trending and trip log functions that record operating data over time. These records help plant teams review system behavior before, during, and after an event. The result is a more detailed understanding of equipment response, operator actions, alarm activity, and trip conditions, which supports faster and more accurate root-cause analysis.

Yes. The Mark VIe can integrate turbine controls, generator controls, excitation, balance-of-plant (BOP) systems, and DCS within one control environment, as well as  connect to third-party systems.  The platform supports a range of communications protocols, including Ethernet, CAN, and IEC 61850, enabling integration with substation protection and other grid-connected systems.

This integrated approach can help reduce interface complexity and provide operators and maintenance teams with a more unified view of plant operation.

Yes. The Mark VIe is structured to support evolving operating requirements, including greater flexibility around fuel strategies, grid responsiveness, and future plant configurations. Ongoing development and testing efforts are aimed at helping the platform remain relevant as system operators and plant needs change over time, including applications involving hydrogen capability.

Yes. The Mark VIe can be applied in plant configurations that combine gas turbines with batteries and renewable energy resources. These configurations vary by site and operating strategy, but the platform is flexible enough to support a range of integrated plant arrangements and control approaches.

Training is available for operations, maintenance, and I&C teams through both standard platform-based courses and custom training options. Standard courses focus on the Mark VIe platform and core tools, while custom training can be developed around a site’s specific application, project file, and operating environment.

Yes. Custom training can be built around a site’s specific Mark VIe application and can also be provided onsite. This helps plant personnel learn within the context of the actual control configuration they use every day, which can make the training more practical and directly relevant.