Management and operational expertise in fossil and nuclear utility power plants, including the construction, start up commissioning , maintenance, and on line operational procedure writing, check out, acceptance testing, and start up of power plant equipment. Experienced in the operation of fuel handling and fuel burning equipment, including pulverizers, fans, sulfur dioxide/particulate control scrubbers, precipitators, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) equipment, water treatment, gas/steam turbines, and ash handling systems. Experienced in the calibration and design of utility boiler turbine control systems. Expertise in power plant water treatment, feedwater treatment, oxygen control measures and boiler water control measures used to prevent deposition and corrosion damage to power plant equipment.
Work experience includes design and implementation of heat rate and efficiency monitoring programs for oil and gas fired boilers; thermodynamic analysis and efficiency calculations of power plant components, such as boilers, turbines, gas turbines, air heaters, pulverizers, and feedwater heaters; analysis of coal slagging and fouling in utility boilers; and oil, gas, and coal burner design and optimization.
Management and analysis of a major utility nuclear power plant turbine generator failure investigation and PUC case of the plants completion, initial operation, substantial completion issues and acceptance. Technical analysis preformed on water chemistry contaminants of the condensate system, steam generator, water, steam purity, turbine blade/disk failures, and electrical generator failure analysis.
Past utility fossil power plant related work includes the project management of investigations into the performance of fossil power plant boilers, heat recovery steam generators, turbines, gas turbines, electrical generators, and pulverizers; failure analysis of boiler tubes; analysis to predict the remaining useful service life of boilers, superheaters, reheaters, headers, turbine blading, and tubing; and design and modification of utility power boilers to eliminate tube failures.
Recent work includes project management and expert testimony/litigation support in large utility power plant legal cases. These cases involved construction and testing issues on boilers, heat recovery steam generators, gas turbines, pulverizers, plant auxiliaries, fires, explosions, availability/reliability modeling, plant life assessment, plant life extension, and the analysis of plant logs to calculate power production costs for revenue requirements based on calculations of damages and production costs. Currently involved in Power plant cost analysis associated with cycling fossil and combined cycle power plants in the USA and internationally.
LEGAL, INSURANCE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, AND LITIGATION RELATED WORK
Watt Tieder Hoffar & Fitzgerald L.L.P. — Retained as an expert for the UCSF power plant investigation that will be tried in San Francisco Superior court. Provided expert testimony on the NOEL Inc and Deltek cases by Watt et all involving combined cycle power plants, gas compressors and deaerator systems in California, reference Keith Phillips and Bob Watt.
Sempra Energy — Retained as an expert for in-house counsel Mr. R .Smith Esquire, as an expert in a case involving a defective electric generator for a 500MW combined cycle plant TEM. This case involves the analysis and testing of generator vibration and modal response. The case involved analysis of the purchase specification, codes and standards for the equipment and testing to meet these standards. The manufacturer has agreed to replace the generator.
Gibson Robb and Lindh LLP — Retained and used as a power plant equipment expert in cases involving the S.S. Matsonia, Sea Crystobal and Tramper/ NEM. I provided expert testimony and expert reports in these cases involving ship propulsion systems including Boilers/ turbines/heat exchangers, plant water chemistry that used DEHA, and HRSG equipment that was damaged in sea shipment. Reference Jeff Robb and Joshua E. Kirsch Esquire
Nevada Power in house counsel Ms Rice — Retained as an expert to testify in 4 court cases involving electric power rates for gas turbines and combined cycle power plants.
Noce & Buckley L.L.C. in Missouri — Retained as an expert involving the case Ameren vs. Superbolt, Inc. This case involved expert failure analysis of high strength turbine bolting manufactured by Superbolt Inc in utility service at numerous power plants.
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority — Analysis of eight GE Stag units, Frame 7000 gas turbines, including the following: blade failures; blade coatings; fuel oil trace elements; pumps; combustion cans; combustion controls; and heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) tube/design defects. This included an industry-wide survey of blade defects, blade coatings, HRSG defects, and corrective measures. Provided testimony and litigation support to inhouse and outside counsel.
Landfill Gas Company — Analysis of failures of selected gas turbine components in Mitsui gas turbines. This included an analysis of cost impacts on the plant.
Hawaii Electric Light Company — Analysis of blades, blade coatings, combustion liners, transition pieces, combustion systems, design defects on a Solar gas turbine manufactured by ABB and Solar Turbines. This included a review of all industry available blade coatings and fuel oil treatment options available to increase blade life. Provided testimony to the state of Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on gas turbine reliability in Docket 94-0140.
Illinois Power Company — Analysis and expert testimony regarding Illinois Power Company fossil-fired power plants and gas turbine engines to determine their maximum rated capacity and future plant reliability. This resulted in testimony to the Illinois Commerce Commission on the megawatt rating of the 18 coal-fired power plants and 10 gas turbines.
Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. — Wray Robinson Karcht LLP Baton Rouge Louisiana retained as an expert for analysis and AAA (American Arbitration Association) testimony in 1984 relating to two 550 MW coal-fired boilers, turbines, and ball tube pulverizers. This includes the impact of the failures on the plant’s reliability, damages incurred, and plant production costs.
Florida Power Corporation — Testimony to the Florida Public Utilities Commission on utility power plant cycling costs and curtailment of cogeneration plant output (Docket 941101-EQ).
Insurance Firm — Investigation of steam turbine failure at Lawrence Station of Kansas Power & Light Company.
Kansas Gas & Electric Company — Investigation and analysis of a boiler explosion at KCP&L’s LaCygne Power Plant.
Insurance Firm — Investigation of boiler chemical-cleaning-related condenser tube failures at San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s South Bay Power Plant.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company — Testimony in San Jose Federal court on a steam attemperator failure, resulting pipe rupture and asbestos release. This included an industry-wide survey of utility power plant valve, attemperator, and piping failures.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company — Investigation and review of testimony regarding the failure of the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant turbines, generator, water treatment/analysis system, and condensate polisher systems.
Insurance Firm — Investigation of turbine failure at a manufacturing plant involving loss of lubrication.
Nevada Power Company — Analysis of the cost of cycling of coal-fired and gas turbine/combined cycle power plants. Testimony in three arbitration hearings involving cycling, negative avoided costs, and impacts resulting from qualified generating facilities.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- B.S. (Chemical Engineering), Kansas University (1969)
- Pre Engineering (Kansas State College of Pittsburgh)
- Bailey Meter School for Instrument Engineers (1972)
- Past Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Finance Chairman, and Public Information Chairman for American Nuclear Society, Northern California Section (1978 1988)
- Analysis of German Utility Power Plants to Explore European Methods of Coal Combustion and Power Plant Auxiliaries, such as Pulverizers, Fans, Ash Systems, etc.
- Startup Engineer for a Brazilian Boiler Turbine Cogeneration Plant
- Startup Engineer on Approximately 20 Boilers and Boiler Control Systems, as well as Procedures Preparation, Operator Training, Water Treatment Requirements, and Chemical Cleaning of These Units
Pulp and Paper Experience
- Construction, Startup, and Performance Testing of a 1100 Ton and a 1000 Ton Per Day Black Liquor Recovery Boiler
- Service Engineer and Trouble Analysis of More Than 20 U.S. and Canadian Pulp and Paper Mills
- Startup of Low Odor Black Liquor Boiler and Bark Fired Boilers
- Testing of Emergency Boiler Blowdown Systems
- Analysis of Power Boilers Burning Bark and Waste wood
- Investigations of Smelt Water Explosions
SELECTED REPORTS, PUBLICATIONS, AND INVITED LECTURES
The Cost of Cycling Coal Fired Power Plants, with S. Lefton, Power Plant O&M and Asset Optimization, Coal Power Magazine (Winter 2006).
Cost of Cycling, with P. Besuner and D. Agan, APTECH Report AES 05035709-2-3 (April 2006).
Cost of Cycling Analysis, with P. Besuner and D. Agan, APTECH Report AES 05115975-2-1 (March 2006).
Temperature Ramp Rate Effect on Rotor Life and Maintenance Costs, with P. Besuner, EPRI Report Chapter (February 2006).
Temperature Ramp Rate Effect on Rotor Life and Maintenance Costs, with P. Besuner, EPRI Report Chapter (February 2006).
Cost of Cycling Analysis, with P. Besuner and D. Agan, APTECH Report AES 05025685-2-1 (August 2005).
Using Real-Time Temperature, Stress, and Flow Readings to Determine Equipment Damage, Maintenance Costs, and Operational Strategy in Power Plants, with P. Besuner and D. Agan, APTECH TP151 (August 2005).
Cost of Cycling Analysis, with P. Besuner and D. Agan, APTECH Report AES 04125599-2-1 (August 2005).
Cycling Analysis Trip Report, APTECH Report AES 05035709-2-1 (May 2005).
Investigation of the Row “0” Compressor Blade Failures of the Moss Landing Gas Turbines, with T. Kuntz and P. Besuner, APTECH Report AES 04115567-2-1 (December 2004).
Root Cause Analysis of the S. S. Matsonia's Boiler Tube Failures, with B. Stroman, APTECH Report AES 04065451-2-1 (November 2004).
Laboratory Examination of a Waterwall Tube from Matsonia, with R. Moser, APTECH Report AES 04065451-2-2 (November 2004).
Estimate of the Maintenance Costs and Service Life for the Oakland Plant, with D. Agan, P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, APTECH Report AES 04085491-2-1 (November 2004).
Cost of Cycling Analysis, with P. Besuner, D. Agan, and P. Grimsrud, APTECH Report AES 04015258-2-1 (September 2004).
Technology Corridor: A Case Study: How to Reduce the Cycling Costs of Conventional Generation, Public Utilities Fortnightly (September 2004).
First Estimates of the Cost to Cycle HRSGs, with P. Besuner, D. Agan, and J. Yavelak, APTECH Report AES 04075479-2-1 (August 2004).
Outage Handbook, Identifying Damage Mechanisms in Combined-Cycle Steam Systems, Combined Cycle Journal, (Summer 2004), OH-Pp. 33-37.
True Cost of Cycling Power Plants Enhances the Value of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Systems, with G. Grimsrud and P. Besuner, APTECH TP148 (June 2004).
Energy Storage Systems (ESS) Provide Significant Added Value by Reducing the Cycling Costs of Conventional Generation, with G. Grimsrud and P. Besuner in consultation with J. Iannucci and J. Eyer, Distributed Utility Associates, APTECH TP147 (June 2004).
Review of Generator Vibration at the Termoelectrica de Mexicali Power Plant, with J. Grover, D. Bosko, and M. Cronin, APTECH Report AES 03125249-2-1 (June 2004).
Waste Pipe Analysis Unit 11F, APTECH Report AES 04045402-2-1 (April 2004).
Profitable Operation Requires Knowing How Much it Costs to Cycle Your Unit, Combined Cycle Journal, Second Quarter (2004) p49-52.
Cost of Cycling Analysis, with P. Besuner, J. Yavelak, T. Kuntz, and D. Agan, APTECH Report AES 02104897-2-1 (June 2003).
Cost of Cycling System-Wide Report, with P. Besuner, P. Grimsrud, and T. Kuntz, APTECH Report AES 02064810-2-10 (May 2003).
Cost of Cycling Phase I Analysis, with P. Besuner, P. Grimsrud, T. Burnett, K. Hara, O. Nye, and R. Dail, APTECH Report AES 03024983-2-1 (May 2003).
True Cost of Cycling Power Plants Enhances the Value of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Systems Electrical Energy Storage, Applications and Technology, Conference (2003).
The Real Cost of Cycling Powerplants: What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You, with P. Besuner and G. Grimsrud, Electric Light & Power Magazine (November/December 2002).
Duke Energy North America Moss Landing Power Plant Units 6 & 7 Reliability Upgrades and Unit Cycling Analysis, with K. Speer of Duke Power California, APTECH TP141 (September 2002).
Survey Investigation and Repair Cost Report on Tubes and Frames from Motor Vessel Tramper, with R. Moser, APTECH Report AES 02024665-2-1 (July 2002).
Power Plant Operations and Cost Optimization Using Real Time Cost Analysis Tools, with P. Besuner and T. Kuntz, Presented at the International Conference on Advances in Life Assessment and Optimization of Fossil Power Plants, APTECH TP136 (January 2002).
Power Plant Cycling Operations and Unbundling Their Effect on Plant Heat Rate, with P. Besuner, APTECH TP134 (October 2001).
Experience in Cycling Cost Analysis of Thermal Power Plants in North America and Europe, with T. Kuntz, APTECH TP133 (June 2001).
Cost of Cycling Analysis at Union Fenosa’s Meirama Unit 1, with P. Besuner, T. Kuntz, and G. Grimsrud, APTECH Report AES 00043998-2-1 (February 2001).
Cost of Cycling for IIIinova Corporation Power Plants, with P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, and T. Kuntz, APTECH Report AES 99083766-2-1 (March 2000).
Power Plant Asset Market Evaluations: Forecasting the Cost of Power Production, with G. Grimsrud, APTECH TP128 (July 1998).
Cost of Cycling Estimates for Coronado Generating Station, with P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, T. Kuntz, and J. Lesiuk, APTECH Report AES 97063099-2-2 (January 1998).
Cost of Cycling Estimates for Clover Bar Units 1 and 3, with G. Grimsrud, P. Besuner, T. Kuntz, and J. Lesiuk, APTECH Report AES 97053081-2-1 (December 1997).
Cycling Fossil-fired Units Proves Costly Business, with P. Besuner and G. Grimsrud, Electric Light & Power Magazine (July 1997).
Cost of Cycling Estimates for Electricity Supply Board Unit Types: Poolbeg Units 1, 2, and 3, Moneypoint Units 1, 2, and 3, and Tarbert Units 3 and 4, with P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, and T. Kuntz, APTECH Report AES 96052764-2-1 (May 1997).
Failure to Achieve Hot Section Component Service Intervals -- Why and What to Do about it, with T. Burnett, T. Kuntz, and S. Paterson, Presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Turbo Expo ‘97 - Land, Sea, and Air in Orlando, Florida (1997).
Understand What it Really Costs to Cycle Fossil-fired Units, with P. Besuner and G. Grimsrud, Power Magazine (March/April 1997).
Cost of Cycling Estimates for Amos Unit 3, with P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, T. Kuntz, and J. Yavelak, APTECH Report AES 96062789-2-1 (November 1996).
Using Fossil Power Plants in Cycling Mode: Real Costs and Management Responses, with G. Norman of Florida Power Corporation, J. Vaughn of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and A. Crawford of Public Service Company of Colorado, APTECH TP054 (September 1996).
Estimating the Total Cost of Cycling Operations at the Los Angeles Deportment of Water and Power, Haynes Generating Station, Unit 5, with P. Besuner and R. Schreiber, Presented at the 1996 EPRI Plant Maintenance Conference Baltimore, Maryland (August 1996).
Cost of Cycling Estimates for Representative Public Service Company of Colorado Fossil Generation Units, with P. Besuner, G. Grimsrud, and T. Kuntz, APTECH Report AES 95072488-2-3 (February 1996).
Economics of Cycling 101: What Do You Need to Know About Cycling Costs and Why?, with G. Grimsrud, APTECH TP098 (May 1995).
True Cost of Cycling Enhances the Value of Dispatchable Hydro, with G. Grimsrud, J. Steury, APTECH TP093 (February 1995).
Cycling Cost Assessment Project, with R. Schreiber, D. Broske, J. Vaughn, APTECH TP065 (September 1994).
Effect of Cycling and Unit Operating Limits on Fossil Plant Production Cost and Availability, with R. Schreiber, APTECH TP069 (December 1993).
Review and Improvement of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Estimates of Cycling Costs, with P. Besuner and G. Biggerstaff, APTECH Report AES 92051685-2 (September 1992).
Water Chemistry Examination and Procedures Review at Salt River Project's Navajo Generating Station, with I. Abrams, APTECH Report AES 91021411-2-1, Revision 1 (February 1992).
Review and Improvement of Florida Power and Light Company Methodology for Estimating the Cost of Cycling, with P. Besuner and G. Grimsrud, APTECH Report AES 91011380-2-1 (February 1991).
Assessment of Heat Recovery Steam Generator Tubing Life at the Aguirre Power Plant, with H.D. Vaillancourt, APTECH Report AES 90061265-2-1 (January 1991).
A Methodology to Measure the Impact of Cyclic Operations and Power Derations on Plant Life and Reliability, Presented at the Electric Power Research Institute Fossil Plant Cycling Conference, APTECH TP018 (November 1990).
Assuring Increased Reliability of Superheater and Reheater Tubing and Headers by Optimization of Steam Side and Gas Side Temperatures, with K. Clark, T. Rettig, K. Hara, C. Lee, and R. Moser, APTECH TP012 (November 1990).
Condition Assessment and Remaining Useful Life Study of High Temperature Superheater Deaerator Storage Tank and the Waterwall Tubing at Palo Seco Steam Plant, Unit 3, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, with H. Vaillancourt, et.al., APTECH Report AES 90011178-2-1 (March 1990).
A Reheat Outlet Header Inspection Methodology, with S. Bush and S. Nelson, Proceedings, Fossil Plant Inspections Conference, Electric Power Research Institute, APTECH TP067 (August 1987).
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