“Interesting” doesn’t do justice to the generator circuit-breaker failure events described by two utility users at the Combined Cycle Users Group’s 2021 virtual conference, although that’s the word they used. Threatening is more accurate. While the events themselves tend to be unique and site-specific, many readers can relate to the pain, and the “lessons from […]

You could forgive attendees at the Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) 2021 virtual conference if their eyes glazed over looking at slides on how to modify equipment and/or operating sequences to meet changing performance objectives. Several of the presentations could have been half- to full-day seminars by themselves. At the same time, it shows the

The gas turbine/generator, steam turbine/generator, and HRSG get the lion’s share of attention at most user-group meetings, but one hallmark of the Combined Cycle Users Group is a focus on the connecting fluid handling equipment—pumps, valves, piping, ducting, and filters—covered in the presentations summarized below. New challenges for filters. Headlines on the weather of course

During the QA/QC Roundtable at the Combined Cycle Users Group’s 2021 virtual conference, led by steering-committee members Jonathan Miller, maintenance manager at Cleco’s Arcadia Power Station, and Ben Stanley, plant manager of DGC Operations’ CPV Valley Energy Center, the facilitators conducted two polls. When asked if their facility had a formal plan for welding contractor

Safety time out: Review this Checklist before proceeding Safety is a perennial favorite topic at the Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) for obvious reasons and at least one non-obvious one: With declining staff at sites, each person is responsible for more, and more varied, tasks. Chances for human error grow. While the safety issues addressed

GE Day during the Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) 2021 virtual conference began with a glimpse into the next 20-30 years of combined-cycle facility operations and ended with a tutorial in using historical data to trend the last 20 years of a plant’s operation. In-between were deep dives into BOP plant impacts from gas turbine

A quick search of the CCJ’s editorial archives [link] shows how much arc-flash safety is on the minds of owner/operators, especially in the best practices category. Whether you have a formal arc-flash safety program or not at your facility, there’s still much to be gained by listening to Aaron Neuvert’s presentation on this important topic

If the CCUG 2021 Day One roundtable on cold-weather preparation is any guide, winterization continues to vex plant personnel. Many of the issues can be traced to inadequate design bases and insufficient equipment. However, the root cause appears to be building “outdoor” facilities in locations which clearly require far better protection against protracted frigid conditions.

As severe weather events grow make sure your ACC keeps up Whether you call it “weather” or “climate,” severe weather events are increasing in both number and severity, which means hot and cold days may be more intense and more frequent, regions surrounding your plant may be ravaged by fires and smoke, and ice and

The Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG) opened Day One of its 2021 virtual conference with a roundtable discussion on confined-space safety. Arguably, it’s a topic perhaps even more essential to onsite staff as other responsibilities shift to offsite personnel, contractors, and OEM reps. The discussion was facilitated by Steve Hilger, plant manager at Dogwood Energy