PE Volume 121 Issue 10

The power sector is on the cusp of unprecedented transformation, which is being driven by technological forces outside the power sector. It’s not surprising, considering the convergence of digital solutions, power plant technologies and technical advancements in automation.

The United States electric energy sector that includes utilities, independent power producers, public power authorities, renewable developers etc. has been traditionally considered a relatively safe and defensive investment due to its potential for providing a steady stream of dividend income.

Breakdowns of the electrical insulation system have been documented to cause catastrophic failure of critical equipment. Partial Discharges (PD) are measured on rotating machines in order to prevent early failures occurring in stator insulation.

Many power plant personnel are aware that chemistry upsets in a steam generator may cause severe corrosion and failure of boiler waterwall tubes and other components.

The need for fast start up and cycling of combined cycle power plants in response to the growth of renewables is well understood in the power industry.

Among generator starting professionals, it is widely accepted that the most prevalent reason for generator set (genset) failure-to-start is issues with the lead-acid battery starting system.