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ENERGY INTERNATIONAL
Aug/Sept 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Successful completion of Phase 1 major overhaul at Poolbeg CCGT
Generation Operations
2011 IS A particularly important year for the staff of Poolbeg CCGT who are currently engaged on the successful delivery of the station’s Major Overhaul Programme, the most extensive in its history.
The programme comprises two very significant outages, namely Phase 1 – major inspections of Gas turbine CG14 and Steam Turbine ST16, and Phase 2 – major inspection of Gas Turbine CG15. Phase 1 was successfully completed in July, and Phase 2 is scheduled to commence later that month with completion in October.
This overhaul programme represents the most significant outage undertaken in the station to date and will set the plant up for the remainder of its life. It also represents the largest outage spend across the business this year.
Safety
As with all undertakings at the station, safety during the outage is of paramount importance.
A safety conference took place in preparation for the outage with project, station and contractor representatives contributing to proceedings. All contractor personnel were informed of ESB’s safety requirements, and a Poolbeg DVD re-emphasised site expectations regarding Health & safety.
During the outage itself, over 200 contractor inductions took place across day and night shifts. To date, in excess of 98,000 man-hours have been completed on the outage without LTI. 15 minor accidents were recorded during this period, with four near-misses (including two P1 incidents) and 50 good-catches, all reported within 30 minutes of incident.
304 task-specific Risk Assessments have been submitted to date with the majority of contractor personnel conducting their own ‘Dynamic/Point of Work’ risk assessment. Daily toolbox talks were used to good effect, as were daily safety meeting which served as a very effective safety communication/co-ordination forum. A successful safety incentive scheme was also run during the overhaul, and it is widely recognised by all that there was a very healthy and supportive attitude from everyone in relation to safety management – a very encouraging sign as we head into the CG15 outage.
Scope
All planned work was carried out and all as-founds have been resolved. The CG14 overhaul involved major inspection/LTE (lifetime extension), replacement of the HRSG LP superheater, overhaul of significant Balance of Plant and extensive NDT/integrity assessment. The ST16 HP/LP/generator module major overhaul included replacement of the LP last row blades.
Quality
All elements of outage were completed to very high standards of quality. An independent quality audit was conducted which highlighted a number of valuable lessons learned for the project.
Delivery
Notably, the CG14/ST16 major overhaul was completed within budget and the overall programme is forecast to be delivered in the same manner.
Work on the CG15 major overhaul is scheduled to commence later in July and will involve major inspection/LTE including replacement of static frequency converter/static excitation/ generator protection systems, and Balance of Plant scope.
Project, station and Head Office staff are working very closely to deliver this challenging overhaul programme. Their commitment and cooperation have been instrumental in achieving the successful outcome to date and will be a key factor in completing the CG15 outage later in the year.
Watch out for the November edition of EM when there will be an update on the full Poolbeg CCGT 2011 overhaul programme.
Shannon Estuary Oil Spill exercise
Generation Operations
MONEYPOINT STAFF recently took part in an oil-spill exercise at Limerick Docks. The exercise, which is run twice a year, trains participants in crisis management and how to effectively manage an environmental incident.
Through the SEA-PT organisation, the station is affiliated with local county councils and large installations who border the estuary or share the shoreline. Membership of SEA-PT is vital to the station’s ability to manage environmental incidents connected with shipping movements and the transport of hazardous cargos. Membership of this organisation provides the station with access to the most up-to-date oil spill response equipment, training and incident coordination support.
The most recent service provided through SEA-PT was a geographic information systems (GIS) model tracking system. Through the use of this software, any oil spill can be tracked in the estuary via detailed manipulation of data relating to tide-specific currents and weather feeds. This allows for the efficient deployment of spill containment teams and equipment that can be located to areas where there is a high probability of shoreline contamination. The oil spill response vessel Oscar was another vital piece of equipment employed. The vessel’s adjustable bow allows it to manoeuvre through an oil slick, collecting oil within its hold where further separation is carried out, allowing a high oil capture rate.
P drive competition winner congratulated via Webex
