The purpose of FRAM was to show how power companies can use a forward-looking analysis environment for decisions on maintenance and reinvestment for hydropower and wind power. The basis was world-class methods, tools and data from, among other things, earlier R&D projects. The project included large-scale testing at several companies.
Benefits
Maintenance and reinvestment decisions in power generation must be based on:
- analysis and assessment of technical condition and operating experience
- information about failures/faults
- maintenance costs (historical data and expected future development)
- risk and expected benefit of relevant measures
This requires that the companies have an established technical-economic analysis environment for decision-oriented analysis and documentation of maintenance and reinvestment needs.
Optimal maintenance and reinvestment decisions are of great importance for profitability, safety and the environment in the power industry. The project will help power companies realise the potential in the results of many years of R&D by demonstrating how a forward-looking analysis environment for maintenance and reinvestment decisions in power generation can be built on world-class methods, tools and data from, among other things, earlier projects. These are to be adapted to the decision-making process and the maintenance systems in use. Experience from testing and training in earlier projects shows that inadequate adaptation significantly limits application and benefit.
Power companies must establish analysis environments with resources, procedures, roles and competence to ensure that methods and tools are used effectively. The project offers an R&D arena where this challenge can be solved jointly by researchers, users and suppliers.
Based on the testing of methods and tools on real cases, a comparative assessment will be made of how leading companies in other industries solve similar analysis tasks within their own frameworks regarding world-class analysis environments. This can provide important impulses for the power industry.
Dissemination of results through continuing education courses with examinations and academic credits gives power companies access to the project results within a framework that emphasises analytical solution methodology, practical application and professional quality.
Participants
Agder Energi Produksjon, BKK Produksjon, E-CO Vannkraft, EB Kraftproduksjon, Eidsiva Vannkraft, E.ON Vattenkraft Sverige, Fortum, Norsk Hydro, Lyse Produksjon, NTE Energi, Otra Kraft, Skagerak Kraft, SKS Salten Kraftsamband, SN Power, Statkraft Energi, Vattenfall, Østfold Energi, ELFORSK, Energi Norge
Publications
- Maintenance making progress with FRAM Energiteknikk no. 5, 2013
- Bringing risk to the fore Energiteknikk no. 2, 2013
- The future analysis environment E. Solvang, Energiteknikk no. 8, 2011
- Brochure: Valuable maintenance - Methods for optimal maintenance of hydropower production