Institution news
We spoke with Engineering and Major Projects Manager at the Electricity Supply Board Ireland, Liam Lawlor, to hear about the topics and sessions he is most looking forward to at the 2020 User Group.
Q: Please can you briefly explain your role and any involvement you have with the Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s Steam Turbine and Generator User Group?
Liam Lawlor (LL): I am the Turbine Asset Manager for the Electricity Supply Board in Ireland. The role provides operational and maintenance support of our Gas, Steam and Hydro Turbines.
I am a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineers Ireland and have attended the IMECHE Steam Turbine and Generator User Group several times.
Q: What is the number one challenge for those using or benefitting from these technologies in today’s current market?
LL: The number one challenge in today’s current market is market uncertainty. This makes it difficult to develop long term asset plans and invest in our steam turbine fleet.
Q: What would you say is the most exciting development in this field currently, either within your organisation, the in the industry in general or both?
LL: Development of flexible operation and fast response times of steam turbines is vital in order to compete in a changing electricity market.
Q: Where do you see the future of these assets going in the next 5 – 10 years?
LL: The future of thermal assets is bleak. The focus is on a low carbon electricity sector made up of Renewable Energy with gas engines as the back-up generation.
Q: What other topics are you looking forward to hearing about and discussing at the upcoming user group?
LL: How do other thermal units deal with the rapidly changing electricity market and the role of Hydrogen in electricity generation
Q: Why do you feel it is important for all engineers and professionals involved in these technologies to join the user group in 2020?
LL: Attending technical conferences is a fantastic way of keeping up to speed with the latest technology. It is also an invaluable means of networking with other power generation utilities.
Steam Turbine and Generator User Group 2020 takes place on 18-19 March 2020 in Manchester.
The Institution's annual Steam Turbine and Generator User Group offers attendees two days of high-level technical content and knowledge sharing to support all engineers involved with steam turbine and generator equipment.
With more than 100 delegates joining in 2019, this is THE event for all those involved in the design, manufacture, operation, management and maintenance of these assets to stay up to date and benefit from the shared experience of the turbine engineering community.
The full programme is now available, with organisations presenting in 2020 to include Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Viridor, World Energy Council, SSE, Doosan, GE, Siemens and many more.
Early bird ends 26 January 2020: for full event details and to book your place please visit the event website.