Providing hydroelectric, Power across the United States!

July 18, 2014

Over the past few years, the North Little Rock Electric Department has faced some major decisions regarding the Murray Hydro Plant. The decision began with a retrofit of an old mechanical seal system to be replaced with a new rope packing system. The next phase was major turbine repairs that were needed to carry the plant through the next fiscal year all followed by a major turbine overhaul. Having two of the largest horizontal, Kaplan turbines in the world always makes decisions a bit more difficult. It has been such a relief to have a company like Hyrdo Consulting and Maintenance Services (HCMS) that has the confidence and ability to handle such major projects for our department.

Throughout each of our major projects HCMS has provided an experienced, professional staff to walk us through the process and aid in making the best decisions for our faculty. As with any project, there are obstacles along way HCMS exceeded our expectations in handling these without any delays in the projects and overhauls completion dates. In essence, they are always willing to take on any task no matter the difficulty and their desire is to leave each unit in better than new condition when they are finished.

Sometimes with the age and size of our facility it is not always beneficial to go back to the OEM personnel in order to request help or replacements. HCMS has continually shown that ability to reverse engineer or even present more effective and efficient solutions to issues that arise in our facility. They have a desire and willingness to replace all components with like new or better material.

The North Little Rock Electric Department is confident that HCMS will provide the highest quality work and insight on any project at the Murray Hydro Plant.

-Jessica Stephens, System Mechanical Engineer

July 17, 2014

During the past several years we have experienced several failures at a couple of our Hydro Plants in Alabama Power Company. These failures range from complete unit tear downs/rebuilds, turbine realignments and general troubleshooting of hydro units within our system.

Hydro Consulting and Maintenance Services Inc. (HCMS) has provided us with an avenue of expertise with these issues. They have also been able to support our needs no matter what the issues; they have provided excellent customer service, safe work environment and worked with us as a partner.

HCMS has always displayed an attitude to complete the job right, finish in time, keep cost reasonable on these projects and display a strong safe work environment for all. HCMS has access to some of the best minds in the business and keeps a well trained staff on board at all times.

I would not hesitate to use HCMS on any job in our system and would recommend them to anyone in the Hydro Business.

-Len Simmons, Alabama Power Company

July 16, 2014

We were introduced to HCMS as a result of a reference through our Project Manager. HCMS quickly mobilized and helped assess the situation and summarize its findings. Establishing our time and materials contract with HCMS was a straightforward process. They deployed a number of non-unionized millwrights to site, together with two senior foremen and, initially, one management oversight staff. The senior foremen were very experienced in the industry, having worked for other hydro OEM companies. The HCMS millwrights had been with HCMS for some time and the foremen knew them well and trusted their capabilities. Management staff with which we interacted had practical experience in the field. Other HCMS professionals were made available to the HCMS onsite team on an as-needed basis in order to leverage the knowledge of the entire organization.

HCMS spent the required time once onsite to diagnose issues with respect to the components and the previous installation using precision measurement equipment and make recommendations to Dorena and its Project Management which balanced technical requirements with cost/benefit considerations. HCMS leveraged its internal and external contacts to make outside resources available such as sub-contractor services or specialty machine shops. HCMS worked hand-in-hand with the turbine OEM staff during their mandate to utilize the OEM’s input to resolve installation challenges.

Throughout the process, HCMS consistently demonstrated its focus on good industry practice. The Project was under significant time pressures and HCMS consistently acknowledged the necessary deadlines but advocated to Dorena first and foremost the need to follow proper installation procedures to ensure the longevity of the turbines.

HCMS provided personal attention and a positive working attitude in all of our dealings. We immediately developed a very strong relationship with the main contact and foreman, Regan Lee, who consistently assured Dorena of his personal commitment to the Project. Dorena witnessed Mr. Lee making personal sacrifices beyond the call of duty to ensure that the Project met its critical deadlines. Another foreman, Ben Fox, and the rest of the millwright crew tirelessly worked long, arduous 6 or 7-day weeks to complete the Project. Regan and Rod Graybeal, an HCMS management representative, were very open with Dorena and its Project Manager when answering questions or explaining issues. Dorena staff and its Project Management team attended internal HCMS calls on various occasions to help with the understanding of installation issues encountered and proposed recommendations.

Some of the challenges in the installation seemed insurmountable, but we were amazed at some of the solutions HCMS was able to provide to overcome these hurdles.

Notably, HCMS installed and commissioned our Francis and Kaplan turbines in time to qualify for a state tax incentive which had a materially positive financial impact on our Project.

-Peter Clermont, President