Hydropower Plant Equipment

Overview

The Hydropower Plant Equipment Interest Group is a collaborative, technology-focused program designed to assist hydroelectric utilities optimize capital and O&M costs, extend equipment life, increase reliability, and minimize outage times for hydropower plant equipment repair and maintenance.

Focus areas

Hydropower Technology
Capital and Maintenance Investment
Maintenance Programming and Reliability
Work Force Productivity and Safety
Environmental Performance

This group is for

Hydro plant managers, electrical and mechanical engineers, engineering directors and managers

EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP

Technical Advisors

Charles Bach

Hydropower Operations and Planning

Charles Bach received his bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Sciences & Mathematics from SUNY Albany, and his master’s degree in Meteorology from Florida State University. He worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority 36 years. He was also the Project Manager for an environmental impact statement for a fossil plant and upgrades to TVA’s aeration equipment. Mr. Bach is currently the President of Big Red Water Management Consultants, providing water management services to national and international customers. Mr. Bach has been involved with the CEATI Hydro Program since 2004, helping to lead and direct several initiatives, such as the Hydro Operations and Planning Benchmark and the Dissolved Oxygen Working Group.

Marcel Paul Raymond

Hydropower Operations and Planning

Marcel Paul Raymond holds a master’s degree in Computer Science and Operations Research from the University of Montreal and has 32 years of experience at Hydro-Québec. He has been actively involved in planning the operations of the utility’s system of generation, transmission, and interconnection. He has gained international recognition by managing projects in Brazil, USA, Poland, and Russia. After his retirement from Hydro-Québec in 2009, Mr. Raymond became an energy consultant. His services as an expert have been used in many documents presented before the Quebec Energy Board. In addition, he has been consulted on matters related to the hydroelectric projects of Lower Churchill in Labrador and Three Gorges in China.

Top Resources

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Electrical Overhaul Guide for Hydroelectric Turbine Generators

This guide provides an actionable agenda for engineers and operations and maintenance personnel to use in all stages of condition-based analysis and refurbishment of hydro turbine generators. It proposes ways for power plant owners to better support efforts in integrated planning over the long-term, to achieve their equipment’s continued operation and improve asset-based maintenance outcomes.

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Mechanical Overhaul Guide for Hydroelectric Turbine Generators

Focusing on the mechanical refurbishment of hydroelectric turbine generators, this guide addresses units with typical service lives of 20 to 35+ years before major overhaul. While the primary focus is on vertical shaft units like Francis and Kaplan turbines, it also includes guidance on horizontal shaft units and the specific challenges they present.

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Hydro Generator - General Maintenance and Inspection Guide

This guide defines best practices for maintaining hydro generators, emphasizing actions that maximize unit reliability and availability. It concentrates on the generator's components, specifically those connected to the main shaft coupling, and promotes a maintenance philosophy to ensure long-term operational efficiency.

ASSESSMENT TOOL

hydroAMP

hydroAMP is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the condition of hydroelectric equipment, supporting effective asset and risk management. It provides a framework for assessing equipment performance and helps users develop long-term investment strategies, prioritize capital spending, and coordinate budgeting for operation and maintenance. Key resources include the hydroAMP web application, consolidated condition assessment guide, training webinars, and field inspection guides.

RESEARCH REPORT

Hydro Plant Testing of Environmentally Acceptable Oils

Through a program of formalized laboratory testing, this research project identifies lubrication oils that best meet the criteria of being environmentally acceptable, while providing similar properties to the oils currently used in the hydro industry.