Plant Engineering

STEP|A
AVAILABILITY
As plants age, the reliability of the installed equipment begins to decline, increasing the risk of full or partial Forced Outages. It is important for an Owner/Operator to pinpoint the equipment at risk and to determine appropriate actions to minimise the risk of lost output. STEP|A is a technical review of plant availability and the relative impact of each specific system / equipment group.

Methodology
STEP|A has been developed to identify improvement potentials in plants suffering restrictions in Availability. STEP|A follows a structured assessment method, drawing on the experience gained during previous ECO|RAM and STEP|x projects. As with all such assessments, ALSTOM uses a co-operative approach to draw from the knowledge and experience of station staff. Comprehensive technical and operational benchmark data as well as a catalogue of potential improvement measures support the systematic analysis of a plant

Process
Due to its shorter timeline and specialised focus, STEP|A is a generally a single phase assessment. Unless otherwise requested, all areas of the plant are considered within the scope of STEP|A.

Our Experience
STEP|A offers access to the substantial know-how and experience of ALSTOM:

Worldwide network of experience in assessing power plants covering all technologies Experience in operation and maintenance of plants worldwide covering all technologies Access to historical as well as up-to-date plant equipment costs and benchmark data Experienced engineering staff with proven track record of developing solutions for existing equipment.

Historical trends in equipment reliability and availability are assessed through desktop investigation of station records. The current condition and performance of the plant is determined by a site assessment. Problem areas are pinpointed and improvement ideas are generated, then reviewed, grouped & selected as Potentials. Each Potential is investigated to determine technical feasibility and expected benefit. Phase 1 is typically executed within 6-8 weeks

Customer Benefits
Identify specific equipment Availability/Reliability issues Fast generation of Potential Solutions Analysis of Costs, Benefits and other impacts Targeted investigation of Viable solutions

GKWG903142 - ALSTOM 2011. ALSTOM, the ALSTOM logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of ALSTOM. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of their respective companies. The technical and other data contained in this document is provided for information only. Neither ALSTOM, its officers and employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) as to the accuracy or completeness of such data or the achievement of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. ALSTOM reserves the right to revise or change this data at any time without further notice.

THERMAL POWER
INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS