Project Management Central

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Any one works or worked in a thermal energy plant? Jorge Escoto Director of PM/PMO| CET Professionals Services San Pedro Sula, Cortes, Honduras I was asked to analyze the operational cost of an energy plant to then prepare a management and savings project. So I would like to start connecting with someone who works or has worked in a similar organization. Regards, Saving Changes... Posted: Dec 31, 2022 3:32 PM

Sort By: Newest First Chronological Votes Abolfazl Yousefi Darestani Manager, Quality and Continuous Improvement| Hörmann-TNR Industrial Doors Newmarket, Ontario, Canada I have not yet. Saving Changes... Posted: Jan 2, 2023 8:43 AM Latha Thamma reddi Sr Product and Portfolio Management (Automation Innovation)| DXC Technology Mckinney, Tx, USA No, not aware of any one Saving Changes... Posted: May 19, 2023 2:42 PM Prasad YERRA Process Manager| Veolia Water Doha, Qatar Hello Jorge, am not a dedicated energy plant management professional, but am implementing the ISO 50001:2018 as a part of my projects, we do energy management optimizations. Yes, a savings project involves a detailed and structured approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process: Step 1: Gather Data Historical Data Collection: Collect historical financial records, including utility bills, maintenance costs, labor costs, and any other operational expenses. Obtain production data to understand the energy output over the same period. Operational Data: Gather data on fuel consumption, equipment efficiency, and operating hours. Record data on downtime and maintenance schedules. Environmental Data: Collect information on regulatory compliance costs, waste management, and emissions data. Step 2: Identify Key Cost Components Fuel Costs: Calculate the total cost of fuel (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil, or biomass). Analyze fuel efficiency and consumption patterns. Labor Costs: Break down labor costs into direct (e.g., operational staff) and indirect (e.g., administrative staff). Maintenance Costs: Include preventive maintenance, repairs, and unexpected breakdown costs. Utility Costs: Include costs for electricity, water, and any other utilities required for plant operations. Depreciation and Amortization: Account for the depreciation of plant equipment and amortization of capital investments. Other Operational Costs: Include costs such as insurance, property taxes, and administrative expenses. Step 3: Conduct a Cost Analysis Cost Allocation: Allocate costs to different operational segments or departments. Use activity-based costing (ABC) to assign costs more accurately based on activities driving those costs. Trend Analysis: Identify trends in operational costs over time. Compare costs against industry benchmarks or similar plants. Efficiency Analysis: Calculate key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost per unit of energy produced, fuel efficiency, and maintenance cost per operating hour. Use these KPIs to identify areas of inefficiency. Step 4: Identify Savings Opportunities Energy Efficiency Improvements: Evaluate opportunities for upgrading equipment to more energy-efficient models. Implement energy management systems and practices to reduce waste. Operational Improvements: Optimize production schedules and reduce downtime. Implement predictive maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns. Fuel Management: Explore alternative fuels or fuel blending to reduce costs. Negotiate better fuel supply contracts. Labor Optimization: Train staff to improve productivity and operational efficiency. Evaluate staffing levels and make adjustments as necessary. Cost Reduction Initiatives: Implement lean management practices to reduce waste. Optimize procurement processes to get better rates on materials and services. Step 5: Develop a Management and Savings Project Plan Set Objectives and Goals: Define clear, measurable goals for cost reduction and efficiency improvements. Develop Strategies and Actions: Outline specific strategies and actions to achieve your goals. Prioritize initiatives based on potential impact and feasibility. Create a Timeline: Develop a realistic timeline for implementing cost-saving measures. Include milestones and checkpoints to monitor progress. Assign Responsibilities: Assign specific tasks to team members or departments. Ensure clear accountability and communication channels. Budget and Resource Allocation: Estimate the costs of implementing savings initiatives. Allocate necessary resources, including financial and human resources. Step 6: Implement and Monitor Implementation: Execute the savings initiatives according to the project plan. Ensure all team members are aware of their roles and responsibilities. Monitoring and Reporting: Continuously monitor the impact of implemented measures on operational costs. Use KPIs and regular reporting to track progress. Adjustments and Improvements: Make necessary adjustments based on monitoring results. Continuously seek opportunities for further improvements. Step 7: Review and Document Review Results: At the end of the project period, review the results against the set goals and objectives. Identify successful strategies and areas for improvement. Documentation: Document all processes, strategies, and results for future reference. Share learning and best practices within the organization. Hope this info will help you... Saving Changes... Posted: Jun 12, 2024 1:42 AM Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, USA Jorge, I have not worked that type of project personally but I know there is a lot of literature on the construction and operating costs of plants of different sizes by energy source. I attended a lecture on solar at university a few years ago with direct comparisons including cash flow analysis. I would suggest performing a literature study since those research papers will describe the methodology for modeling costs. Then you have a basis and solid references for your own estimate. The cost models will also give you a head start on the factors you need to include in the plan and help build a high level WBS based on the non-recurring costs. Saving Changes... Posted: Jun 12, 2024 11:05 AM Yong Wang PMP, PMI-PBA, MBA, Digital Transformation with AI| Digital Transformation Consultatn Shanghai, Shanghai, China, Mainland Recent years, I have been working on digital transformation project of a group of waster to engery plants which is similar to thermal energy plant. reduce cost and improve the efficient is core parts. Though different countries has different regulation and law, but such plant, one of the most important things are environment emission compliant. Apart from that, as far as I observed bigger players such as GE digital , Amerson and others proposed different road may. GE digital keys points(overal) 1. Great efficiency 2. higher ouput 3. Reduce trips 4. No wasted Fuel Emersons key points(5 sections) 1. HRSG tube leak 2. HRSG Tube Fouling 3. Corrosion Monitoring 4. CEMS monitoring 5. Colling Towers Beside, matalb and goolge has some idea about using AI and predictive maintenace to reduce downtime cost. For my point of view, for most of power plant, use less fuel and opeation cost to generate more electricity is ultimate key. Saving Changes... Posted: Jun 27, 2024 10:42 AM

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