Ahead of the marcus evans Power Plant Management & Generation Summit Fall 2016, David Orme discusses strategies for power plant maintenance

1. Interview with: David Orme, VP
Operations, Ranger Steel Inc.
“Power plant managers should always
try to maintain a good balance between
fixed labor costs and variable labor
costs at their facilities. That balance is
key for successful plant maintenance,”
advises David Orme, VP Operations,
Ranger Steel Inc.
Ranger Steel Inc. is a solution provider
at the marcus evans Power Plant
Management & Generation Summit
Fall 2016.
What are the biggest operational
problems in power plants today?
Ageing infrastructure and lack of capital
funds to invest due to market
constraints. The Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission needs to either
deregulate the entire industry or to
reregulate it. The playing field is
uneven, so de-regulated utilities are
competing with regulated utilities in the
open wholesale market creating price
suppression.
What strategies would improve
power plant performance and
safety?
It is important to focus on training in
the realm of safety. Regulations are
becoming more stringent, expectations
are higher and costs related to injuries
are soaring, so they must focus on the
upfront and ongoing training of all
employees, not just new employees.
That is key for success.
What do plant maintenance services
usually lack? What costs and issues
does insufficient maintenance result
in?
Predictive and preventive technologies.
I see many facilities in the fire-fighting
mode. There should be operation
monitoring, oil sampling analysis and
vibration analysis routes established –
those three items must be monitored
and tracked continuously.
Power plant managers need to know
where the problems are before failure.
Sharing information with other utilities
about boilers and turbines, which we do
not see in the competitive environment,
would be valuable. Many plants are
ageing or going into new markets, so
there is less involvement/cooperation in
data collecting and sharing across their
fleet.
Higher forced outages lead to increased
costs and unreliability, which leads to
cycle fatigue and further equipment
failures.
Can power plant managers better
anticipate potential challenges?
How?
Increase ownership and accountability
on the front lines at the plant. The
people who are operating and
maintaining the equipment need to have
a larger role in the analysis of the
equipment and reporting the condition/
status. That has to be factored into the
daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly
maintenance strategy.
What are the typical scenarios
Ranger Steel Inc. addresses?
We experience a few different scenarios.
We provide base maintenance
supplementation, supplying manpower
resources of an existing plant. Other
times it is reactionary and we do not get
the opportunity to work with the plant
until they call as after a breakdown
when they want equipment repaired or
replaced immediately to get their
system back in service.
Power plant managers should always try
to maintain a good balance between
fixed labor costs and variable labor
costs at their facilities. Contractors can
provide higher productivity rates at
lower costs than internal staff, which
leads to quicker service return times
and lower life cycle costs on equipment.
There should
be operation
monitoring,
oil sampling
analysis and
vibration
analysis routes
established –
those three
items must be
monitored
and tracked
continuously
Improving Power Plant
Performance & Safety

2. The Energy Network - marcus
evans Summits group delivers
peer-to-peer information on
strategic matters, professional
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innovations.
Please note that the Summit is a
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limited.
About the Power Plant Management & Generation Summit
Fall 2016
The Power Plant Management & Generation Summit is the premium forum bringing
senior power generation executives, plant managers and solution providers
together. Taking place at the Omni Galleria, Houston, Texas, October 23-25, the
Summit includes presentations on the challenges and opportunities for fossil-fired
generation, power plant performance, application of new technologies and how to
operate efficiently, effectively and safely.
www.ppmgsummit.com
About Ranger Steel Inc.
Ranger is a family-owned industrial construction company with more than 20 years of experience. We own two custom steel
fabrication shops, provide mechanical, electrical, pressure pipe and boiler repair, and are a leader in plant maintenance services.
Our dedication to safety and to delivering the highest quality work put us at the top of our field. With Ranger, you can count on
reliable, senior-level expertise on every project. Enlist us for safe, innovative solutions that precisely fit your needs and exceed
your expectations.
www.rangeris.com
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, case studies, roundtables and one-on-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
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http://events.marcusevans-events.com/ppmg2016-david-orme
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