William O’Brien, a speaker at the marcus evans Power Plant Management Summit 2012, on power plant efficiency and optimizing aging assets. Interview with: William O’Brien, Vice President, Engineering & Operations, Entegra Power Group

1. Enhancing
Power Plant Performance
years. Plant managers must continue employees again and again as things
creative maintenance efforts while change.
developing and implementing long-term
maintenance plans to allow equipment to The industry is currently challenged
operate reliably into and beyond their with an aging workforce. What
golden years. This will require a should power plant managers do?
significant planning process to maintain
the integrity of operational assets, as The most powerful tool that any
well as maintaining the effectiveness of organization has is its workers. In the
the workforce operating and maintaining next 10 years, the experience base in
the plants. the industry will suffer significantly, as a
very large percentage of the workforce
What are the latest regulations and will reach retirement age. Companies
Interview with: William O’Brien, mandates that will have an impact must design and implement programs
Vice President, Engineering & on the industry? now to be prepared to replenish the
Operations, Entegra Power Group experience base from within their ranks
Current regulatory developments whenever possible so that they are
designed to protect the bulk electric positioned to be successful going
“Many power plants are challenged system relative to safety and reliability forward. Companies and plant managers
with aging equipment and workforces are important to the integrity of the should work hand in hand with the
that were built and staffed 10, 20 or system. Unfortunately, there has been various educational systems, especially
more years ago,” according to William some over reaction to incidents and the in their local areas, to develop
O’Brien, Vice President, Engineering & result is over-regulation in many sectors supporting curriculums and encourage
Operations, Entegra Power Group. of the industry. Meeting and then students to take career paths that will
Utilizing effective staffing concepts maintaining compliance with these help the industry stay ahead of the
combined with a comprehensive regulations takes considerable planning game. Being successful does not have to
maintenance program should allow the and costs a significant amount of money. mean you are a Doctor, lawyer or
plants to continue operating efficiently All plants are obligated to comply with engineer and it is time we communicate
well beyond their designed life cycle, he these regulations but often do not have the fact that being an operator,
adds. the capability to pass those costs on to technician or mechanic can be a very
the customer. Therefore, the costs must attractive and prosperous career.
A speaker at the upcoming marcus be consumed in their bottom line.
evans Power Plant Management
Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, Do you believe plant safety needs to
October 15-17, O’Brien shares his views be improved?
on effectively developing and
implementing multi-skill work teams to Safety of employees and operating
Safety of employees
help meet the industry challenges and to
preserve and enhance power plant
equipment is always regarded with the
highest priority and the compliance
and operating
performance. process is continuous. Owners and
operators of power plants must always
equipment is a high
How can plant managers improve
efficiency and optimize aging
be held accountable for their actions.
priority and should
plants? To continuously maintain safety
standards, all organizations must place a
always be at the
Many power plants are challenged with
aging equipment that was installed
major emphasis on making sure that all
employees are well trained, are aware of
forefront
decades ago combined with a very high the hazards and are capable of working
percentage of maturing workforces that in the environments they are placed in.
are set to retire within the next 10 This often requires retraining the same

2. About the Power Plant Management Summit 2012
The Energy Network - marcus
evans Summits group delivers
This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling,
peer-to-peer information on
Illinois, October 15-17, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition
strategic matters, professional
or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought
trends and breakthrough
leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event.
innovations.
The Summit includes presentations on moving towards optimization, supplying
power in a reliable manner, and minimizing risks.
www.ppm-summit.com
Contact
Please note that the Summit is a
closed business event and the Stacey Melvin, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division
number of participants strictly
limited. Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com
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About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
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To view the web version of this interview, please click here: www.ppm-summit.com/WilliamOBrien