Operations Management & Technology - Program 108
Operations Management & Technology - Program 108
Operations Management & Technology - Program 108
Program Overview
Program Description
Operations performance in today’s fossil generation plants is the key to achieving highly reliable, safe,
economic, and environmentally compliant plant performance. The operations staff and management provide
the human performance that controls the operation, directs and performs equipment condition monitoring, and
performs predictive and corrective maintenance activities. Work processes, clear goals and objectives,
personnel development, communication, support facilities, and plant design also play a significant role in the
overall plant performance. Effective integration of wide-ranging skills and knowledge, work processes, and
design — along with strong leadership by the management team — are critical to plant success.
The Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) Operations Management & Technology program (Program
108) provides a forum for the development and evaluation of new and improved fossil plant operations
technologies, work policies, and practices that raise standards of operational performance.
Research Value
EPRI's Fossil Operations Program develops advanced processes and related technology that support
improved plant reliability and reduced costs. The programs address the key tactical challenges facing fossil
plant owners relating to the management, conduct of operations, workforce performance, equipment
monitoring, and risk. These programs are highly collaborative in nature, providing forums for EPRI members
to jointly resolve issues, improve processes, and identify research gaps. Members of the Operations
Management & Technology program receive:
Approach
This program helps operating crews apply industry best practices and understand new technologies, and the
ways both can be applied to plant operations to identify vulnerabilities, manage risk, and exchange
information with peers.
R&D for plant operations fundamentals and new developments provides guidance to plant operators and
their managers on best practices in fossil plants through exchanges of ideas and shared lessons on
improved operational performance and new technologies.
Accomplishments
EPRI’s Operation Management and Technology has helped members through implementation of products to
assess operations performance, improve operations processes, learn from industry experiences, and
exchange ideas with industry peers. Products have included:
Updated Operations Assessment Guideline, which helps members understand their strengths and areas
for improvement in operations. The guideline is updated based on members’ experiences.
Annual operations conferences, which allow industry peers from shift operations to share experiences,
problems, and solutions
Lessons learned from industry events, which provide information about prevention of similar events at
other facilities
Guideline on managing emergency events
Program Manager
Wayne Crawford, 704-595-2233, [email protected]
Summary of Projects
P108.001 Plant Operations This project provides guidance on industry best practices for plant
Fundamentals and New operations, evaluates technology applications, and supports
Developments information exchange among members to foster continuous
improvement of fossil plant operations.
Approach
This project provides the ability to exchange information among members and develops guidance to improve
plant operations activities. Information exchange is facilitated through an annual conference. EPRI staff
provides hot-line support, which often includes input from other members. A full set of Conduct of Operations
Guidance is being developed to capture the best operational performance practices and provide detailed
information on the conduct of operations, based on member rankings of importance. Reports on new
technology developments offer insight into application successes and problems. Supplemental projects assist
members with product applications when required.
Impact
Improved plant operations result in lower cost and increased generation.
Plants can avoid negative events by studying industry experiences and taking preemptive corrective
action.
Savings and performance improvements are gained by learning from others’ experiences to effectively
implement new technologies.
Fewer operator errors and improved response to events reduce impact on plant equipment, prevent
outages, and result in increased production.
2010 Products
Planned
Product Title & Description Product Type
Completion Date
Planned
Product Title & Description Product Type
Completion Date