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Kwinana Power Station is in for a service
Release Date: 14 August 2006
“Just like servicing your car regularly, only on a vastly bigger scale.”
That’s how Verve Energy’s General Manager Production Fred Sibenaler described the current 12-week shutdown of a big Kwinana Power Station generating unit for a scheduled overhaul. The unit can produce 200 megawatts of electricity, enough for two million 100 watt light globes.
“Regular services reduce the risk of breakdown. For our power stations, they are absolutely essential for the continued reliability of WA electricity supplies,” Mr Sibenaler said.
“This major A-Class overhaul is part of Verve Energy’s strategy to ensure that all plant is available for the forthcoming summer, when demand for electricity is highest.
“When this job is completed, upgrade work at the State’s biggest power station, Muja Power Station near Collie, will commence in September.”
More than 250 contract staff as well as Verve Energy technicians were involved in the overhaul which would result in virtually every component on the unit including the turbines, generator, 42-tonne rotor, boiler and several kilometers of boiler piping, cooling water system, coal mills and precipitators being inspected and tested.
“This major A-Class overhaul is carried out every nine years. In between times, other strategic overhauls and maintenance is done on the unit.”
This regular work is also carried out to ensure the safe operation of the power station.
There are six generating units at Kwinana Power Station which has a total installed generating capacity of 880 megawatts. This power station is unique because it can burn three fuels - coal, gas or liquids – to produce electricity.
Mr Sibenaler said this fuel flexibility meant Kwinana Power Station had a special role in WA electricity supplies. Verve Energy has 3450MW of generating capacity. While Verve Energy had the biggest generating portfolio, privately owned generators were assuming a bigger role in the new competitive electricity market.
Mr Sibenaler said that inspections during the current shutdown on Kwinana Unit 5 would find any signs of wear and tear and other abnormalities which can affect the reliability of the generating unit.
“We have arranged to replace some equipment and parts which has reached the end of its operating life; and there is a good chance we will find some unexpected damage.
“Covers have been taken off the turbines and generators and the 42 tonne rotor removed. Some of this critical equipment is being serviced in special clean condition facilities.
“We cannot allow any foreign material, no matter how small, to get into some of this equipment which has minute tolerances,” Mr Sibenaler says.
”For this project, we have adopted some slightly different techniques such as erecting scaffolding inside the boiler so that we can give the equipment a much closer and thorough inspection.”
Any queries from the media are directed to Verve Energy's Corporate Relations branch.
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