Asset Management – classroom presentations

Presentations are:

Modernization of Hydro Generator Braking and Lifting Systems, presented by Daniel Nail, Southern Company

Replacement of Horizontal Francis Camelback Turbines with Vertical Bulb Turbines: A Case Study, presented by Matjaž Kovačič, Litostroj Hydro

Utilizing Decision Modeling for Asset Management to Achieve Key Reliability Metrics, presented by Chad Rissman and Eric Norland, Chelan County PUD

Details about each presentation and the speakers are below:

Modernization of Hydro Generator Braking and Lifting Systems
Presented by Daniel Nail, Southern Company

Well into the 6th year of a modernization program throughout the existing fleet(Georgia Power and Alabama Power), we will share with the audience the reasons behind modernizing the braking and lifting systems, the scope requirements, the solutions retained and the results. Here are some of the key points and takeaways.

- Replacing traditional governor speed controls by digital means because braking controls no longer supported.
- Advantages of customization throughout the fleet. Benefits of one size fits all replacement with available spare parts, engineering support, maintenance planning.
- Brake cylinder replacement instead of refurbishment. Driven by replacement parts and support. Existing legacy brakes no longer supported.
- Indication of brake position. For many units the brakes are not easily accessible, so indication is crucial.
- Scope requirements and solution to comprise of brake control panel, brake cylinders and lifting group all working as a system either remotely or locally.
- The importance to have comprehensive engineering documentation to support planning, engineering, maintenance

Replacement of Horizontal Francis Camelback Turbines with Vertical Bulb Turbines: A Case Study
Presented by Matjaž Kovačič, Litostroj Hydro

Historically, horizontal Francis turbines in the Camelback configuration have been one of the most common solutions for harnessing low-head water potential in the United States. Installed primarily in the early 20th century, many of these turbines have now reached—or even exceeded—a century of operation, bringing them close to the end of their service life. As a result, refurbishment or replacement has become an unavoidable necessity.

Plant owners must weigh several factors, including investment costs, turbine lifespan, increased power generation, and the structural limitations of existing powerhouse facilities. Identifying the optimal solution requires careful consideration of both technical and financial aspects.

This presentation explores a complete replacement strategy, replacing Camelback Francis turbines with Vertical Bulb Turbines equipped with Kaplan runners. The proposed approach minimizes civil works while utilizing the existing powerhouse infrastructure, including the machine room, cranes, and other equipment. The Vertical Bulb Turbine can be installed above the existing draft tube within the water chamber, enabling increased flow capacity and higher operational flexibility due to its double-regulation feature.

The speaker will present real-world experience from the HPP Buckingham project, where four aging Camelback units were successfully replaced with two double-regulated and two propeller-type vertical bulb turbines. Additionally, other refurbishment and replacement options for Camelback turbines will be briefly discussed.

Utilizing Decision Modeling for Asset Management to Achieve Key Reliability Metrics
Presented by Chad Rissman and Eric Norland, Chelan County PUD

Chelan County PUD is utilizing new tools to support asset management decisions. The PUD has developed a decision model to evaluate asset management and reliability data to determine the efficacy of specific investment approaches/scenarios on reliability metrics so more informed actions can be implemented – resulting in a higher likelihood of achieving key reliability metrics (e.g., SAIDI).

The decision model utilizes data available for factors known to impact reliability metrics (e.g., underground cables, vegetation, weather, wildlife) and is used to evaluate the effectiveness of potential approaches for improving reliability metrics based on different asset management strategies, i.e., how to strategically invest in areas that have the greatest impact on reliability. The model can be used to evaluate specific investment approaches or can be used to optimize the proposed budget.

The model has been developed to be flexible and scalable and can easily be configured to analyze the questions that are of the most relevant to the decision – and in this case – how Chelan PUD can most effectively manage assets and maintain top quartile performance for reliability.

This tool could be used by asset managers and owners to evaluate complex decisions utilizing historical data, to understand both the possible outcomes and the factors with the most impact on the outcome. Chelan has been able to use the tool for multiple scenarios including evaluating limited O&M resources, constraints related to crew availability, and impact to metrics.

Development of the decision model has helped to streamline decision-making around asset management by helping to easily visualize and quantify potential scenarios. It also has improved access to and the ability to ‘operationalize’ historical data, allowing for data driven decision making.

Key Takeaways:
• The presentation will focus on the application of system modeling as an integrative support tool for existing business processes like risk management, strategic planning, asset management, and budgeting.
• We will focus on how the system model can support the decisions around investment in infrastructure, monitoring, and data analysis that improve reliability performance relative to industry metrics and minimize outages for customers.
• These tools enable utility executives to explore ways to plan for change, whether within and beyond their control. Benefits include real-time, transparent evaluation of complex decisions and “what-if” scenarios and broadening awareness of decisions’ systemic impacts across functional areas.

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