Overview
The Hydropower Plant Equipment Interest Group is a collaborative, technology-focused program designed to assist hydroelectric utilities optimize capital and O&M costs, extend equipment life, increase reliability, and minimize outage times for hydropower plant equipment repair and maintenance.

Focus areas

  • Benefit-arrowimg
    Hydropower Technology
  • Benefit-arrowimg
    Capital and Maintenance Investment
  • Benefit-arrowimg
    Maintenance Programming and Reliability
  • Benefit-arrowimg
    Work Force Productivity and Safety
  • Benefit-arrowimg
    Environmental Performance
  • Benefit-arrowimg

This group is for

Hydro plant managers, electrical and mechanical engineers, engineering directors and managers
EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP
Technical Advisor Support
Jean C. Pellerin
Jean C. Pellerin
Hydropower Plant Equipment

Jean C. Pellerin graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He has over 36 years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and development of renewable energies, with a focus in hydro generation. During his career with Brookfield Renewable Energy, he was Director of areas such as Technical Services, Asset Optimization, and Engineering Development, and contributed to the company’s growth through acquisitions and greenfield developments. He currently provides technical and strategic advice to several engineering firms.

+
Steve Wenke
Steve Wenke
Hydropower Plant Equipment and Thermal Generation

Steve Wenke is recently retired as Senior Manager of Generation Strategy and Planning for Avista. His 40 year career has involved design, management, and operation of generating assets. This has included new plant developments, major overhauls and upgrades, structural remediation projects, dam safety projects, and plant control and automation programs. He has also worked on numerous business initiatives including NERC Compliance Programs, labor management and negotiations, corporate merger teams, product development, and Asset Management and planning. He has led a team to develop a corporate Human Performance safety strategy and implementation plan and has worked with an internal group on Distributed Generating Resources. For 15 years he served as a mentor for Avista’s Aspiring Leader Program, charged with helping develop the next generation of utility leaders. He currently is President of the Hydropower Foundation. Prior to his retirement he served as Secretary for the DHS Dam Sector Coordinating Council, served as Vice Chair of the NERC GADS Work Group and NERC’s Performance Analysis Subcommittee and Electric Gas Work Group and a member of several other industry groups. He served three terms on the Board of Directors for the National Hydropower Association and continues to stay active in the organization. He has been active in R&D including serving as peer review for US DOE programs, industry advisory boards, and other efforts.

+
Top Resources
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Electrical Overhaul Guide for Hydroelectric Turbine Generators
This guide provides an actionable agenda for engineers and operations and maintenance personnel to use in all stages of condition-based analysis and refurbishment of hydro turbine generators. It proposes ways for power plant owners to better support efforts in integrated planning over the long-term, to achieve their equipment’s continued operation and improve asset-based maintenance outcomes.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Mechanical Overhaul Guide for Hydroelectric Turbine Generators
Focusing on the mechanical refurbishment of hydroelectric turbine generators, this guide addresses units with typical service lives of 20 to 35+ years before major overhaul. While the primary focus is on vertical shaft units like Francis and Kaplan turbines, it also includes guidance on horizontal shaft units and the specific challenges they present.
GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Hydro Generator - General Maintenance and Inspection Guide
This guide defines best practices for maintaining hydro generators, emphasizing actions that maximize unit reliability and availability. It concentrates on the generator's components, specifically those connected to the main shaft coupling, and promotes a maintenance philosophy to ensure long-term operational efficiency.
ASSESSMENT TOOL
hydroAMP
hydroAMP is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the condition of hydroelectric equipment, supporting effective asset and risk management. It provides a framework for assessing equipment performance and helps users develop long-term investment strategies, prioritize capital spending, and coordinate budgeting for operation and maintenance. Key resources include the hydroAMP web application, consolidated condition assessment guide, training webinars, and field inspection guides.
RESEARCH REPORT
Hydro Plant Testing of Environmentally Acceptable Oils
Through a program of formalized laboratory testing, this research project identifies lubrication oils that best meet the criteria of being environmentally acceptable, while providing similar properties to the oils currently used in the hydro industry.