Prestigious award for ESB Power Generation

ESB Power Generation was presented with a Technology Transfer Award by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recently. The award, presented to Richard Sheehan and David Willis of Asset Management and Pat Fogarty of Aghada Power Station, was for the use of EPRI's valve-packing demonstration unit (VPDU) to train station staff and the development of a valve-packing guideline for ESB's stations. The primary purpose of the VPDU was to demonstrate, with 'live' feedback to plant personnel, the effects of properly and improperly installing and consolidating packing in a valve stuffing box.

Training with the VPDU assisted plant personnel in developing proper packing assembly and loading procedures for use in the field. The use of the system at Aghada Generating Station was the first time it had been implemented outside of the nuclear industry. This use of cross-sector technologies to improve plant performance and safety is something that EPRI are keen to promote.

ESB Power Generation contributes to EPRI's research in areas such as boiler chemistry, emissions reduction and future coal generation technologies.

Mike Howard, EPRI's Senior Vice-president of Research & Development, flew in from the company's headquarters in North Carolina to discuss ESB's membership of EPRI and Kevin East, EPRI's Executive Director of Generation made the presentation at ESB's Head Office.