Increased Revenue Generation of Existing Assets Through a Systematic Approach to Improve Availability

Owners of existing generating units can increase revenue generation through the utilization of a systematic approach to improve availability, reduce unplanned outages and maintenance costs as well as improve system design. This approach yields a reduced unit cost of operation through higher dispatch rates and capacity factors. It is beneficial to generating units in both regulated and competitive markets. An underpinning of this approach includes benchmarking, which identifies whether maintenance spend and unit availability tracks that of similar populations. Benchmarking also uncovers unbalanced application of maintenance resources based upon historical and projected future equipment failure rates and their impact on EFOR and economic availability. This data is enhanced through a detailed FMECA, which pinpoints areas of focused investment based upon an equipment’s impact due to failure. Knowledge gained through benchmarking, FMECA and best practices is applied in adjusting maintenance strategies. The design of the generating unit is evaluated to determine if there are single points of failure or other similar constraints that contribute to increased outages or derates. Additionally, operating history is reviewed against original design criteria and then overlaid onto failure rates and equipment histories to identify operational changes that can improve availability. This paper discusses the process successfully utilized recently at generating facilities in the US.