The costs associated with unplanned outages at power plants and other industrial facilities during winter months can amount to millions of dollars in lost revenue and increased fines. For individuals who experience power outages in their homes and places of business, the "price" can be even greater.
To compound these personal and business costs, FERC’s latest cold weather reliability standards have added heightened importance to being prepared for winter weather extremes. Summer is upon us, but winter will be coming. Now is the time to prepare your power plant or industrial facility for the cold.
To establish a solid foundation for extreme cold weather preparedness, power plants must prioritize comprehensive electric heat tracing and insulation audits. These audits serve as a "single source of truth," providing detailed insights into the condition of every aspect of heat tracing and insulation system. Unfortunately, many plants still rely on fragmented isometric drawings and panel schedules that are, at best, only 60% accurate. A comprehensive audit offers a holistic overview of every heat trace panel, the power distribution system, heating cable circuits and insulation condition. By identifying areas of concern, it enables the development of tailored solutions. This empowers customers to select specific systems for improvement or develop phased schedules to manage the cost of repairs.
A comprehensive audit consists of four key components: the breaker status report, the individual line status report, the failed line report and the remediation report.
Breaker status report
The breaker status report provides an in-depth analysis of the panels and their breaker systems. By ensuring optimal amperage distribution to prevent overloading, this analysis minimizes the risk of breakers tripping. For example, if the summertime load on a line consumes 95% of a breaker’s capacity, during the cold season it can increase to a point past the 100% threshold of the breaker.
Individual line status report
The individual line status report provides a comprehensive assessment of each heat trace cable. From panel to the line on the pipe, this report offers a macro-to-micro view, including voltage tests, resistance tests, insulation evaluations and visual inspections.
Failed line report
The failed line report delves into detailed findings of any failed cables and associated insulation. Through visual documentation and repair comments, it serves as a valuable reference for targeted remedial actions.
Remediation report
The remediation report leverages the insights from the failed line report to outline specific repair recommendations and associated costs. This allows auditors, plant operations and maintenance teams to prioritize repairs based on the visual evidence and data provided.
Consequences and advantages
Unplanned outages caused by frozen lines can have severe financial consequences, including substantial revenue loss and potential fines. By addressing the concerns identified within the comprehensive audit, power plants and other industrial facilities can mitigate these risks. Not only does this save costs associated with unplanned outages and emergency repairs, but it also demonstrates a commitment to winterization readiness to governing bodies. Proactive documentation and executed work orders before the cold season showcase compliance efforts and strengthen a plant’s readiness for the winter.
Diamond Thermal Systems by Brand-Safway offers a wide array of audit services and delivers end-to-end heat tracing solutions across the U.S.
For more information, visit brandsafway.com or call (678) 285-1400.
