Você está na página 1de 6

R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R

0 1 / / G EN E SIS SOLU TIONS

Risk, Performance,
and Cost:
STRIKING A BALANCE IN THE POWER SECTOR
R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R
0 1 / / G EN E SIS SOLU TIONS

CONTENTS
02 Introduction
Risk analysis as a key to unlocking hidden value
03 Different tools to suit different environments and goals
Broad application throughout the power sector
04 Preparing for implementation
Phased approaches can bring big advantages
Conclusion
R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R
0 2 / / GEN E SIS S OLUTIONS

Introduction
To meet service obligations and financial targets, every owner and operator of
power generation assets must constantly balance three major variables: risk,
performance and cost.

In years past, the guiding principle of many generators was “reliability at any cost.”

Today’s competitive power markets demand a different approach focused on


achieving reliability and quantifiable risk at a predictable, preferably lower, cost.
When generators succeed in optimizing these trade-offs, they can achieve
a large savings in operations and maintenance costs without incurring
unacceptable risks of equipment failure and downtime.

Risk analysis as a key to unlocking hidden value


A balanced approach requires the application of modern asset management
and sophisticated risk analysis tools. Most power generation facilities use
a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to serve as a
central repository of asset and maintenance data, but most lack analysis and
tools that provide true insights into operational risks, consequences and total
maintenance costs over time.

Various analytical approaches can be applied to the data in a CMMS to


understand the impact of different maintenance scenarios as they bear on the
risk of equipment failure, including the costs and downtime of those failures
as well as the long-term cost of maintenance. These techniques center on
applying a consistent risk analysis to the assets that measures the probability of
failure under different maintenance procedures, such as extending preventive
maintenance intervals. The risk can then be quantified and compared across
an entire population of assets. If maintenance procedures are changed, the
impact to the plant’s risk of downtime is fully understood, and an informed
management decision is possible.

The results of this type of rigorous analytical approach can be powerful. Hidden
optimizations can be discovered which may allow for extended maintenance
intervals with low impact to overall risk. Revelations like these generate
significant savings. Moreover, an analytical approach can help sell a change in
internal strategy and overcome any “not invented here” resistance.
R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R
0 3 / / G EN E SIS SOLUTIONS

Different tools to suit


different environments and goals
The tools used to perform this type of analysis are available as part of an overall
Enterprise Asset Management strategy. They range from add-in software to
common CMMS platforms like IBM Maximo and Infor EAM, to analytical packages
which process asset and maintenance data outside of the CMMS, to bespoke
probabilistic risk models which can delve deeply into specific subsystems where
critical failures and consequences must be fully understood.

Each tool has characteristics that make it more or less suitable in any given
environment. Power generators should carefully study their options to make
the best choice for their situations. Fortunately, big advances have been
achieved in software that can streamline and automate sophisticated analysis
techniques, thereby lowering overall costs, optimizing schedules and
accelerating resulting savings.

Broad application throughout the power sector


Many segments of the power sector are applying these techniques. For
example, the nuclear industry has adopted a mandate called Delivering the
Nuclear Promise to reduce operations and maintenance costs by 30% as
many plants struggle to compete with low-cost gas-fired generation and ever-
cheaper renewables. These risk analysis techniques allow nuclear operators
to find that magnitude of savings without incurring unacceptable risks. The
same approach can work in any power generation environment or with any
technology, such as combined-cycle gas turbine, onshore and offshore wind
and utility-scale solar.

The highest impact of optimization will vary across these different types of plants
and asset classes, but it is highly likely that significant savings can be achieved at a
quantifiable risk threshold in all of these environments.
R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R
0 4 / / GEN E SIS SOLUTIONS

Preparing for implementation


Power generators have a number of options available as they consider how best
to apply risk analysis methods to their maintenance optimization projects. Certain
foundational work is required, which involves developing and implementing
a robust Enterprise Asset Management strategy for their organization and
performing asset criticality ranking, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA),
and other tasks. It goes without saying that asset databases, preventative
maintenance procedures, costs and all related asset data needs to be up to date,
complete and accurate in the CMMS before beginning.

By investing in these initial steps, organizations can rest assured that their risk
analysis projects will go smoothly and efficiently.
On the other hand, trying to go through a detailed risk analysis without the
databases and preliminary studies completed will likely generate frustration and
no measurable results.

Phased approaches can bring big advantages


Risk analysis efforts may seem daunting when looking at an individual facility
or portfolio of plants, but small wins and test cases are possible by examining
systems and subsystems on a pilot project basis. By taking a phased approach,
organizations can test the methodologies, tools and results from a maintenance
optimization effort. These actions can be evaluated and adjusted as needed
before scaling the program up to include additional assets under management.
In the meantime, the validated results from the pilot can be implemented through
changed maintenance procedures. The savings can commence immediately,
which helps fund future work on the overall initiative.

Another important aspect of these analysis projects is scalability. Many


power generation plants and asset portfolios have common asset types and
configurations. Once an analysis is complete on the first asset type, the modified
maintenance plan can be applied across the portfolio with modifications needed
only where specific characteristics differ from plant to plant. This can greatly
accelerate the overall implementation and corresponding results.

Conclusion
As the power generation industry continues to evolve with many current and near-
term challenges, achieving a truly optimized, risk-informed view of maintenance and
asset performance can yield tremendous value for proactive operators going forward.
R ISK , P E R FORMANC E, AND C O ST: STR I KI NG A B ALANC E I N TH E POW ER SEC TO R
0 5 / / GEN E SIS S OLUTIONS

www.genesissolutions.com

info@genesissolutions.com

100 Danbury Road


Suite 105
Ridgefield, CT 06877

203-431-0281

Você também pode gostar