How to reduce the time to analyze operating data—and do it remotely Monitoring and diagnostic tools typically allow plant personnel to visualize trends and store historical data for future analysis. Most also provide the capability to create notifications by email, alarms, and perform comparative calculations of current versus expected performance. However, some tools are not

Condition monitoring system facilitates maintenance decision-making A challenge at Orlando Cogen, a 1 × 1 combined cycle powered by a GT11NMC Alstom engine, was to determine if a wireless condition monitoring system (CMS) could help the 25-year-old plant affordably improve efficiency and/or operational effectiveness through better planning of O&M activities. Plant personnel led by James

Many Alstom owner/operators were left with a feeling of “abandonment” following GE’s purchase of their OEM four years ago. Cost-cutting reduced Alstom’s field-service capabilities and spare-parts inventory to the bone at a time when GE was reconfiguring its aftermarket organization and developing “cross-platform” capabilities to serve both Alstom and Siemens owners. Recall that a vibrant

There’s pent up demand for engine-specific knowledge among Alstom gas-turbine (and steam turbine) owner/operators given the OEM’s flagging efforts in customer training as its commercial activities wound down before the sale to GE, and in the months that followed the transfer in ownership. Both users and vendors recognized this and collaborated to develop a conference

Powerplant work can be lonely, particularly when you’re employed at a combined-cycle plant where the total headcount might only be a couple of dozen folks, even for a 2 × 1 advanced-class unit. “Thin” staffing takes on a new meaning these days, especially when only a few employees have a decade or more of relevant