The highly competitive environment in which hydro-electric utilities find themselves places increased emphasis on the need for reduction of both capital investments for equipment and parts replacement, as well as outage time for equipment repair and maintenance.

Return on investment will be protected and enhanced in part by supply side efficiency improvements such as:

• the refurbishment of old, inefficient units resulting in new high efficiency turbines and generators
• the improvement of intake, flow passage and tailrace hydraulics
• the development of better tools and procedures for measuring actual improvements achieved with planned initiatives

Further reduction of capital outlay and the production of low cost energy will require the development of improved maintenance and repair techniques. These techniques will use processes and materials that can extend the life of equipment, procedures that can speed the repair process to reduce outage times and equipment diagnostics and monitoring that can optimize "just in time" maintenance.

Topics and Issues:
• Intakes/spillways and all manner of generating facility structures and equipment
• Plant modernization guidelines and methods
• Diagnostics and monitoring of equipment and structures
• O & M cost reduction techniques and experiences
• Turbine and generator development studies
• Plant personnel policies
• Risk management