Your next steam turbine outage: Why it’s time for an independent service provider

If you’re an owner or operator of a steam turbine and you’re planning your next outage, you might be considering using an independent service provider (ISP) for the first time. 

Many companies find that ISPs offer unique advantages and can complement OEM services. But what persuaded them that ISPs are a safe and reliable alternative to the OEM?

In this blog post, we answer some of the common queries about the benefits of using an ISP. 
 

“Why should customers choose ISPs for steam turbine services?”

We can’t speak for everyone, but in conversation with our customers, a few benefits are frequently mentioned.

Full flexibility

An OEM will have a predetermined process when working with a customer to develop any form of agreement. Once they have proposed a scope of work there is often little room to adapt to consider any customer requirements, or once agreed to depart from original content.

By contrast, an ISP can be far more flexible with their agreements and scopes. EthosEnergy are able to listen to what their customers need and tailor our services accordingly.

A holistic view

While an OEM will have specialist knowledge of its own equipment, ISPs often have experience working with a variety of OEM equipment types and models. 

This broader perspective allows ISPs to take a holistic global view. A customer may have a problem that they haven’t encountered before. Additionally, customers may be looking for a partner that can support them with different assets across multiple OEMs. 

With the broader experience and wider audience of an established ISP, such as EthosEnergy, there’s a better chance we can find a suitable solution to suit individual project and customer requirements.

A local presence with global resources

Many ISPs operate with a global network of qualified people with their own equipment, tooling, and workshops. 

However, what regularly resonates with customers is how EthosEnergy has the local capabilities to support local requirements, providing project managers and service teams who understand regional languages and customs, which boosts communication and collaboration. 

By offering both global resources and local expertise, EthosEnergy meets customers' needs efficiently and without barriers. Utilizing a network of specialized workshops and service facilities strategically located around the world, we meet our customers' demands across various regions. Our workshops are typically equipped to handle a wide range of maintenance and repair services, with expert engineers managing everything from part inspections to complete overhauls.

“What happens if an unexpected issue arises during an outage? Will an ISP still be able to help me?”

While many ISPs can perform turbine open-and-close services, some, like EthosEnergy, have deep-rooted engineering capabilities. Not only can we perform outages to the same quality and standard as the OEM, we can also upgrade and modernize your equipment.

This added support can provide real peace of mind, as ISPs may offer alternative solutions and repairs, reducing the need to return to the OEM for unexpected issues.

For instance, if on opening up your turbine an ISP were to find some cracks on the blade root attachment, they would be able to investigate the root cause and propose an upgrade to minimize stresses and extend the life of the part.

Additionally, EthosEnergy can offer specialized solutions like seals or blade upgrades to improve equipment efficiency.

“Do ISPs offer new parts? What costs savings can I make?"

In some instances ISPs can supply a comprehensive inventory of parts, including rotors, diaphragms, blade rings, casings, valves, and seals. 

However, one of the main advantages of using an experienced ISP, such as EthosEnergy, is the potential for cost savings through repairs and field services.

Advanced repairs

Repairing rather than replacing components can drastically reduce lead times and costs – with some customers saving up to 60% of the cost of new parts. 

Let’s say it was discovered that the microstructure of your casing material was preventing further operation. Instead of recommending a replacement that can come with a long lead time, EthosEnergy may suggest advanced treatments or specialized welding techniques to revitalize the component.

Through technologies such as high-temperature treatment and advanced welding repairs, we would be able to revitalize and extend the life of these critical components. 

Global field service team

ISPs can enable customers to make savings on the cost of manpower by providing their own fitters, which allows them to keep costs down significantly. 

While some service providers might be able to supply their own technical field advisors (TFAs) and supervisors, they will often have to source fitters on the open labor market. That will always involve a certain amount of risk in terms of quality and experience.

By contrast, EthosEnergy, with its in-house team, executes an outage and can draw on its global field service resources. This means we can guarantee our team’s qualifications and capabilities. And it means everyone is fully conversant with a unified process.

Equipment and tooling

In addition to a skilled workforce, global ISPs will have their own specialized tools and equipment. With tooling stations in multiple countries, they can send fully stocked containers around the world, meeting specific outage requirements quickly. This provides greater flexibility than rental companies. 

In a flash, ISPs can provide fully tailored packages for the outage they are currently executing, and they can quickly adjust the amount and type of equipment required. 

“What performance guarantees do ISPs offer?" 

The length and type of guarantees ISPs offer tends to vary on a case-by-case basis, but EthosEnergy will offer warranties that meet, or exceed, the OEM offering.

ISPs with engineering expertise can offer enhancements, such as blading and seals optimization technology to propose new blades with better airfoils.

They may also offer customized advanced seals that will increase turbine efficiency and reliability, lower emissions, and maximize your investment. At EthosEnergy, we offer industry-leading warranties for our own goods and services to provide additional peace of mind.

When you work with EthosEnergy for your steam turbine overhauls and repairs, your unit is not just going to be as good as it was before. There will be scope to improve it.

“How can an ISP support me throughout the energy transition?”

Due to the flexible nature of ISPs, they can be a trusted partner in helping companies make the most sustainable choices for their ageing equipment. At EthosEnergy, we work with our customers to enhance their existing fleet, helping them achieve greater efficiency and extend the lifetime of their critical assets.

By offering steam turbine critical components life extension solutions, we can offer a viable pathway to reducing your carbon footprint while enhancing your corporate compliance.

By prioritizing repair and upgrade over replacement, we can minimize environmental impact, while contributing to a greener future and a more circular economy.

Extending the lifespan of critical steam turbine assets not only reduces waste, but also creates opportunities for businesses to reinvest the resulting savings into sustainable initiatives.

Capture the full potential of your critical steam assets with EthosEnergy

With over 40 years of experience with multiple OEM steam turbine fleets, we offer a broad portfolio of in-house capabilities and engineering expertise from our worldwide network of locations and workshops ranging from the UK, Poland, and the United States, to Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

Steam turbines, as well as gas turbines, generators, and compressors, may require maintenance, repair or upgrades for a variety of reasons including planned maintenance, unplanned outages, reliability issues, or the need for improved performance.

By partnering with EthosEnergy, you gain access to a trusted team that can help maximize the performance and lifespan of your critical equipment while supporting your sustainability goals.

Re-energize your steam turbines with us. Why not find out more?