Integrated tool for maintenance and refurbishment planning of hydropower plants

Optimal investment in maintenance and refurbishment of hydropower plants is very complicated. This paper describes a new model currently under development. The model consists of several modules, each solving separate tasks and passing on necessary information to the other modules. There is a module for computation of losses from disrupted production caused by forced outages, a module for computation of production losses during maintenance, a module for specification of unit (i.e. turbine, generator and control system) failure probabilities as functions of time, a module for presentation and evaluation of qualitative criteria and finally a module for optimal timing of projects. The whole concept is adapted to decision makers who own many production units, although parts of the system may also be useful for smaller utilities.