Onsite – Page 2 – Combined Cycle Journal

Practical fixes to steady HRSG performance

Calls to the CCJ editorial office from Tucker York, SVI Bremco’s acoustical engineering guru, are always welcome. This outage season success story comes from a combined-cycle plant with chronic maintenance issues with the “egg-crate” turning vane weldment located in the HRSG transition duct immediately downstream of its 120-MW gas turbine. Over time, vane and support modifications intended to tame aerodynamic loading led to recurring weld […]

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CCGT seminar offers practical HRSG training, case studies, tools

HRSGs / By scottschwieger

Held in Asheville, NC, in January 2025, the Vogt Power Combined Cycle Seminar delivered concentrated HRSG fundamentals, inspection how-tos, and deep technical case studies. End users compared notes with peers, and Babcock Power’s business units were on hand with design, construction, field, and product expertise. The content below highlights what attendees learned and why you should consider attending in February. Session

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In-service tank inspections slash risk, cost, and downtime at GT sites

CCUG / By scottschwieger

End users have long treated API 653 tank inspections as necessary pain from challenges associated with fuel handling, confined-space entry, outage coordination, and weeks of operational uncertainty. A recent Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Incubatenergy Labs demonstration with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) shows there’s a safer, faster path: submersible, autonomous robots that perform phased-array UT while tanks stay online. The system, developed by Square

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While new capacity waits in line, 7F upgrades deliver flexibility and output now

7F Users Group / By scottschwieger

Increasing demand from data centers and extreme weather continues to push utilities and independent producers to find dispatchable megawatts fast. New-build capacity is on order, but lead times stretch years. For owners of GE Vernova 7F units, one of the largest installed gas turbine fleets in the world, the near-term opportunity lies in upgrading the machines already in service. Two recent GE Vernova webinars outline complementary paths: a performance leap

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Automated hydrogen purge cuts outage time, boosts safety (Video)

Generators / By scottschwieger

Hydrogen remains the cooling medium of choice for large turbine generators because of its superior heat-transfer efficiency and low windage losses. Yet that same efficiency creates a narrow safety margin. During outages or emergencies, operators must replace hydrogen with carbon dioxide and, if necessary, with air before personnel can enter the generator enclosure. Each transition

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Plan for 2026: CCGT Industry Events 

501 F&G Users Group, 7EA Users Group, 7F Users Group, Advanced GTs, Aeros, Alstom Owners Group, CCUG, Controls, Frame 6, Generator Users Group, HRSGs, STUG / By scottschwieger

Upcoming events where you’ll see CCJ attendance and coverage. Hope to see you there. PROENERGY Conference January 26-28  Arizona Grand Resort, Phoenix, Ariz. Details/registration at www.proenergyservices.com. Contact: Chris Evans, cevans@proenergyservices.com.  PSM Asset Managers Conference January 26-29  | Wyndham Grande at Harbourside Place, Jupiter, Fla. Details/registration at www.psm.com. Contact: Michèle McDermott, Michele.McDermott@us.psm.com.  Vogt Combined Cycle Seminar  February 11-12  Omni

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Record participation marks banner year for CCJ Best Practices Awards

Best Practices / By scottschwieger

The COMBINED CYCLE Journal and the steering committees of the industry’s leading users groups—including 7F, 501F, 501G, 7EA, HA, Western Turbine, CCUG, STUG, GUG, PPCUG, Frame 6B, Frame 5, 501D5-D5A, AOG, and V—collaborate to expand the sharing of best practices and lessons learned among owner/operators of large frame and aeroderivative gas turbines. In a banner

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October 21 Webinar: Automating Hydrogen Purge to Maximize Power Plant Safety

Generator Users Group / By scottschwieger

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Webinar Agenda Hydrogen can pose significant challenges to owners, operators, and maintenance personnel from the standpoint of safety, risk mitigation, and demands for increased efficiency. As a result, the Generator Hydrogen Auxiliary System demands close attention, with proper maintenance,

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Eight Bells: Bob Schwieger, End of Watch

Best Practices / By scottschwieger

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of CCJ founder, known to most as “Bob” Robert G. “Bob” Schwieger, born April 30, 1943, in the Bronx, NY, passed away unexpectedly in Las Vegas, NV, on August 6, 2025, at the age of 82. For those of us fortunate enough to be dazzled by his rare

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Reliability and Cost-Saving Enhancements at Nebras Power

Best Practices / By scottschwieger

Nebras Power IPP1 Jordan Owned by Nebras Power, Mitsui, and AES Corp Operated by Nebras Power IPP1 Jordan 400 MW, gas fired with diesel-oil backup, 2 × 1 combined cycle powered by AE94.2 gas turbines, located in Al Manakher, Jordan Plant manager: Feras Hammad Removing moisture from steam-turbine lube oil Background. Lube-oil quality is a

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