GENERATORS, BACK-UP POWER & BATTERIES


MAINTENANCE VS REFURBISHMENT:


MAINTENANCE CHOICES FOR GENERATOR EXCITATION SYSTEMS IN THE MODERN DAY


With the average age of power stations in the UK approaching 45 years old, there is an increasing need for stations to modernise. Maintaining and refurbishing generator excitation systems in power plants is critical for reliability and availability. Here, Douglas Cope, director at excitation control specialist Excitation Engineering Services, explores the use of proactive maintenance and refurbishment strategies and how plant operators can navigate this decision.


M aintenance and


refurbishment are two different approaches for ensuring generator excitation systems remain operational. Maintenance focuses on preserving the system’s current


state by addressing wear and tear through routine inspections, minor repairs and the replacement of consumables like brushes and capacitors. It ensures that the system runs smoothly without necessarily enhancing its performance or lifespan.


Refurbishment, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive strategy. It focuses on the replacement or upgrade of key components to restore the system’s functionality and improve its reliability. While maintenance is about sustaining day-to-day operations, refurbishment targets medium- to long-term reliability by addressing age-related issues and enhancing 


COMPARING STRATEGIES A brushless static exciter illustrates the contrast between strategies. Refurbishment costing upwards of £1,000,000 with a four- to eight-year payback period, focuses on targeted upgrades like digital controls and solid- state devices. These upgrades replace older mechanical systems for improved voltage regulation and reliability.


However, older components like electrolytic capacitors and motorised potentiometers may


30 NOVEMBER 2024 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS


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