Advanced Central Energy Plant Operations and Maintenance. A Summary of Current Technologies.

Abstract : At Army central energy plants (CEPs), demands on maintenance personnel often grow faster than operation and maintenance (O&M) budgets. CEPs typically employ aging equipment, or are renewed with improved (but increasingly complex) technologies. Regardless of the age or condition of its equipment, Army installations depend on facility maintenance staffs to do highly skilled work at an efficient pace. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) has helped develop and implement a number of new tools to enhance plant efficiency and worker productivity. Information on these tools is disseminated through a number of forums (workshops, demonstrations, classes, etc.). A periodic, general overview of available new technologies can help installation personnel choose between 'the best tool for the job' to quickly and cost effectively resolve long-standing problems. This study identifies technologies for improving operation and maintenance techniques at Army CEPs that are available to the Army O&M staff, and provides a list of references, guidelines, and points of contact to help obtain and implement these new technologies.