This summer, ENTRUST has been busy contributing high level and technical articles to a range of prominent industry publications. These articles not only give us a chance to highlight the expertise of our team on a global platform, they also provide us with an opportunity to disseminate actionable technical insights, advice on best practice and spotlights on innovation that deliver real value throughout the industries we serve. Here is a summary of highlights so far this year in case you missed them:
‘Connecting the Dots’ by Jim Francis
Safety management systems (SMS) are comprehensive, systematic and deliberate approaches to managing the safety of the workforce, assets, and the public, focused on proactively identifying and reducing risk. In ‘Connecting the Dots,’ which ran in the May issue of World Pipelines, Jim Francis explained how ENTRUST’s SMS reduce risk before an incident occurs.
Jim Francis is Vice President of SMS Consulting, an ENTRUST Solutions Group company. Mr. Francis has over 30 years of utility experience working primarily in engineering, operations, and various operational support roles. Over the last 3 decades at ENTRUST Solutions Group, CenterPoint Energy, Vectren and Dayton Power & Light, Mr. Francis demonstrated his leadership by building relationships and advancing the strengths and talents of others to drive organizational quality and excellence. His vision, strategic development of programs and business units, and ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences has led to continued success throughout the evolution of the utility industry.
Mr. Francis’ extensive experience in the development and implementation of programs and processes advanced pipeline safety and compliance in his organizations and now those of his clients. His work often became an example for industry, positioning Mr. Francis as an industry expert. His direct experience leading projects, engineering and operations teams, technology implementations, safety teams, and others have provided him with a deep understanding of utility operations and the demands needed to support safe and reliable utility systems.
‘How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation in Hot Weather’ by David Butz and Jason Neville
Record-setting high temperatures significantly strain electrical infrastructure and can cause inoperable utility equipment and power outages. Since hot weather events can be expected to continue to occur at an increased frequency, preparation and planning are critical for power plants to remain operational. In July, David Butz and Jason Neville explained ‘How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation in Hot Weather’ to Power magazine.
Cold Weather: How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation” by David Butz and Jason Neville
The December 2022 Christmas freeze in the southeast U.S. saw many areas experiencing single-digit temperatures. The February 2021 Texas freeze saw temperatures in Dallas reach as low as –2F. Meanwhile, the January–February 2019 Midwest Arctic Polar Vortex saw temperatures plunge as low as –30F. Each of these events significantly strained electric infrastructure causing inoperable utility equipment and power outages. In October, David Butz and Jason Neville wrote an article for POWER magazine, in which they detailed “How to Maintain Power Plant Readiness and Reliable Operation in Cold Weather.”
David Butz is a senior consulting engineer with TG Advisors, an ENTRUST Solutions Group company. Mr. Butz has two decades in the power generation industry. He began his career at General Electric as a F-class rotor designer. During his time with GE he worked as a designer for both static and rotating hardware primarily in the hot section including blades, nozzles, shrouds, casings, and rotors. His last role with GE was the Technical Leader for the HA Turbine Rotor, GE’s most technologically advanced unit. In this role he had experience leading complex projects in both the 50hz and 60hz configurations.
At GE he developed and refined the fundamentals in design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and failure modes and his experience spans the E, F, and HA-class technology. He developed deep expertise working complex RCAs for safety critical components. He has a strong background in materials science; part of his time at GE was spent developing material models used in the design of turbine hardware with a focus on creep. Mr. Butz has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech and a BS in Materials Science from Georgia Tech.
‘The Future of Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel’ by Jason Neville
Many technologies exist or are under development that will make hydrogen prevalent in the future energy economy. Running traditional natural gas turbines with hydrogen will play a particularly important role in reducing CO2 emissions in power generation. In the July/August issue of Turbomachinery International, Jason Neville discussed ‘The Future of Hydrogen as a Gas Turbine Fuel.’
Jason Neville is an Engineering Manager and Consultant with TG Advisors, an ENTRUST Solutions Group company. Mr. Neville has over a decade experience in the power generation industry. He began his career at General Electric as a gas turbine designer, post graduating from GE’s Edison Engineering Development Program. During his ten plus year tenure at GE he took on various turbine design and repair roles, as well as team lead responsibilities. He is the owner of seven patents that apply to turbine design and repair. At GE, Jason gained deep domain expertise in gas turbine hot gas path blade, nozzle, and shroud design and repair. He has in depth knowledge of part design, analysis, manufacturing, failure modes, and refurbishment. His experience spans across multiple frames in operation worldwide including E, F, and HA class engines.
Mr. Neville holds the position of Senior Consulting Engineer at TG Advisers where he works to meet clients’ power turbine needs that include equipment evaluation, root cause analysis, and emerging technologies. He has completed various gas turbine health assessments, blade failure analyses, and shop surveillance reviews for TGA clients. He has been the lead focal in building out TGA’s weather readiness assessment programs. Mr. Neville has both a BS and ME in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and owns an MBA from Clemson University.
‘Where Energy Challenges Meet Innovation’ by Tracy Thorleifson
Transformation of data into actionable knowledge can be used to better understand and maximize the remaining life of pipeline assets. In the August issue of World Pipelines, Tracy Thorleifson examined the area ‘Where Energy Challenges Meet Innovation,’ and looked at the role that integrating inline inspection data into a pipeline digital twin can play in optimizing asset performance and risk management in the pipeline industry lifecycle.
Tracy Thorleifson is Vice President of Software Development.
Power & Fiber: Combining Power Utility Communications with Profitability for the Future” by Steve Maederer
The transition to fiber is inevitable. Low latency and high-capacity data communications are essential for grid modernization and low-cost Passive Optical Networks (PONs) are a suitable solution to reach the growing number of devices across the distribution grid needed for efficient control. In November, Steve Maederer wrote an article for T&D World on how Power & Fiber are “Combining Power Utility Communications with Profitability for the Future.”
Steve Maederer is vice president of Sales for FiberRise – an ENTRUST Solutions Company, supporting power utilities to build fiber optic networks for grid modernization and broadband revenue opportunities. Steve has a wealth of experience and expertise in the power utility industry. He leads FiberRise’s sales efforts to the power utility market for power cooperatives, municipalities, and investor-owned utilities. He specifically focuses on the development of fiber optic network solutions for Fiber To The Home (FTTH), grid modernization, and various telecommunications revenue opportunities.
Stay tuned for more articles coming soon! Want to see more now? Check out this article by Bernando Cuervo, a Pipeline Integrity Consultant at ENTRUST!
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