Equipment Management Practices and Control with Special Reference to Power Plants

Abstract

The consistent performance of equipment is of crucial importance to manufacturing, and public utility companies such as those in power generation, to maintain their product supplies and an un-interrupted flow of services to their customers. This research study analyzes the equipment management practices in manufacturing and service industries with special reference to thermal power plants. The major emphasis of the study therefore is on maintenance management. The research takes into account two case studies involving first, a multinational company, which is a power generation equipment manufacturer, and power control systems provider at global level, besides the maintenance technology and information technology (IT) solutions provider, and second, an electric utility—a public sector power production and distribution company in India. The role of ISO 55000 has also been studied in detail to highlight its importance in assets management in thermal power plants.

Keywords: assets, breakdown, components, downtime, equipment, hazards, machinery failure, ISO 55000, maintainability, monitoring, Preventive maintenance, reliability, replacement, setup, technology, thermal power plants