Data collection and analysis for more competitive warranties

In the past two decades the necessity for improved data collection methods in the power generation industry has become increasingly important. With a growing number of new and varied technologies becoming available to the customer, it is essential that OEM´s (Original Equipment Manufacturer) have a detailed knowledge of how their products are performing in relation to the rest of the market. The ability to well present this knowledge generates customer confidence and provides the right platform for both parties to work with the common goal of project profitability in a sustainable green environment.As a global leader in power generation, Alstom Power designs, manufactures, installs and operates a variety of different power plant equipment. At the forefront of technology is the Combined Cycle Power Plant, which uses exhaust heat from the initial Gas cycle to fuel a secondary Steam cycle, resulting in a greatly improved efficiency. Inevitably, this design requires maintenance planning, corrective actions for unreliability aspects with involvement of both parties. The focus of this paper shall be to discuss how Alstom Power in Switzerland have introduced and optimized data collection procedures in its growing fleet of power plants, and developed RAMS analysis techniques such that accurate statistics can be reported. This information has become even more vital to understand with respect to how much risk can be taken and how competitive the company can be in the tendering and warranty phases of project.