DENVER, CO — (Marketwired) — 07/17/13 — Hydro plants are growing older. Being the first source of renewable power, it is imperative that these plants be kept up-to-date. Traditional issues are becoming refocused as equipment upgrades and new technology come into play. An industry is coming together to face new regulations to prompt maintenance and pre-empt dam failure.
Tony Billiard, Maintenance Supervisor, Idaho Power, Hagerman Area answered a series of questions written by marcus evans before the forthcoming November 5-7, 2013. All responses represent the view of Mr. Billiard and not necessarily those of Idaho Power, Hagerman Area.
Scheduling enough time for the crews to safely and efficiently install the new runner and the associated parts is key to a successful replacement. The procurement of materials and equipment can be a major obstacle depending on lead times for installation. A step that can make a job easier is proper scoping meetings at least a year in advance; this can minimize the headaches associated with vendors and suppliers. Having the same maintenance personnel on site doing the teardown, as well as installation of the generating unit, is very important.
With any runner upgrade there is significant cost in performing the work, securing equipment, and the lost generations associated with the outage. We try to schedule our runner replacements when the power prices are the lowest, the spring runoff is over, and we have the manpower available to do the work. Project scoping documents and meetings are taking place well in advance of the actual work to insure that all of the bases are covered. During the scoping meetings, budgets and costs are estimated. Then, with budget approval, the contract process starts with the turbine manufacturer. This typically takes at least a year in order to have a new runner ready for installation.
At our facility we currently have 22 mechanics on staff and 2 maintenance leaders. Normally, on a runner replacement job, we will have 8 to 10 guys working on a project. This, of course, depends on what other work will be taking place at the time of the job.
We are currently responsible for 14 hydro plants, with 31 turbine generators. Each of our teams is responsible for any work at their assigned plant, including the runner replacements. Our current staffing is 20 journeymen and 2 apprentices, all of which have been through runner replacement projects, and are all capable of performing the work.
Normally when a runner replacement is taking place, there are other upgrades and replacements that can coincide with the runner replacement. Control systems, relay packages, new excitation systems are just a few of the tasks that can be going on at the same time. With this additional work and upgrades, there are commonly technicians, wiring crews, maintenance mechanics, operators, transformer crews, all working on these other projects during the extended outage.
We have a scheduled annual maintenance program that requires us to inspect the turbine runners each year for signs of wear and cavitation. Often we will schedule for runner welding when the cavitation gets bad enough to warrant an extended outage to repair this loss of metal. Many of our plants are 50+ years old, so the technology and materials used when they were first built have changed. New runner designs and materials have proven to reduce the amount of cavitation repairs needed while increasing the overall efficiency of the turbine.
On 50+ year old runners, new and improved materials can save downtime and the need for runner repairs due to cavitation. If other upgrades and work can be accomplished at the same time, it prevents the need to shut the units down more frequently. Another factor to consider is if it makes sense from a financial standpoint, both to the company and the ratepayer.
Currently a Maintenance Supervisor with Idaho Power Company, Tony has been employed by Idaho Power for 30 years and has worked in operations and maintenance for 15 years. Tony–s facility maintains hydro plants within a 150 mile radius. Idaho Power, Hagerman has 22 mechanics, 6 technicians, 2 maintenance leaders, technician leader, and 3 office personnel to maintain 14 hydro plants with 31 turbine generators.
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For more information please contact
Tyler Kelch
Marketing/PR Coordinator
marcus evans
312-540-3000 ext. 6680