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| William O'Brien, Vice President, Engineering & Operations, Entegra Power Group, a speaker at the marcus evans Power Plant Management Summit 2012, on power plant efficiency and optimizing aging assets. |
NEW YORK, N.Y., July 31, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - "Many power plants are challenged with aging equipment and workforces that were built and staffed 10, 20 or more years ago," according to William O'Brien, Vice President, Engineering & Operations, Entegra Power Group. Utilizing effective staffing concepts combined with a comprehensive maintenance program should allow the plants to continue operating efficiently well beyond their designed life cycle, he adds.
A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans Power Plant Management Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, October 15-17, O'Brien shares his views on effectively developing and implementing multi-skill work teams to help meet the industry challenges and to preserve and enhance power plant performance.
- How can plant managers improve efficiency and optimize aging plants?
Many power plants are challenged with aging equipment that was installed decades ago combined with a very high percentage of maturing workforces that are set to retire within the next 10 years. Plant managers must continue creative maintenance efforts while developing and implementing long-term maintenance plans to allow equipment to operate reliably into and beyond their golden years. This will require a significant planning process to maintain the integrity of operational assets, as well as maintaining the effectiveness of the workforce operating and maintaining the plants.
- What are the latest regulations and mandates that will have an impact on the industry?
Current regulatory developments designed to protect the bulk electric system relative to safety and reliability are important to the integrity of the system. Unfortunately, there has been some over reaction to incidents and the result is over-regulation in many sectors of the industry. Meeting and then maintaining compliance with these regulations takes considerable planning and costs a significant amount of money. All plants are obligated to comply with these regulations but often do not have the capability to pass those costs on to the customer. Therefore, the costs must be consumed in their bottom line.
- Do you believe plant safety needs to be improved?
Safety of employees and operating equipment is always regarded with the highest priority and the compliance process is continuous. Owners and operators of power plants must always be held accountable for their actions.
To continuously maintain safety standards, all organizations must place a major emphasis on making sure that all employees are well trained, are aware of the hazards and are capable of working in the environments they are placed in. This often requires retraining the same employees again and again as things change.
- The industry is currently challenged with an aging workforce. What should power plant managers do?
The most powerful tool that any organization has is its workers. In the next 10 years, the experience base in the industry will suffer significantly, as a very large percentage of the workforce will reach retirement age. Companies must design and implement programs now to be prepared to replenish the experience base from within their ranks whenever possible so that they are positioned to be successful going forward. Companies and plant managers should work hand in hand with the various educational systems, especially in their local areas, to develop supporting curriculums and encourage students to take career paths that will help the industry stay ahead of the game. Being successful does not have to mean you are a Doctor, lawyer or engineer and it is time we communicate the fact that being an operator, technician or mechanic can be a very attractive and prosperous career.
About the Power Plant Management Summit 2012
This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, October 15-17, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on moving towards optimization, supplying power in a reliable manner, and minimizing risks. For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.ppm-summit.com/WilliamOBrienInterview
marcus evans group - environment/utilities/ energy - http://bit.ly/GRwSTl
The Energy Network - marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
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Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
Contact:
Stacey Melvin
Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
Topic: Research / Industry Report
Source: marcus evans Summits
Sectors: Daily Finance, Daily News
https://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
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