Institution news
Ahead of the user group, we spoke with Roy Beardshaw, Head of Engineering at Brush Electrical Machines and a long-time contributor to the knowledge share at the User Group, who will be discussing the challenges involved when designing non-speaking generators for operation in explosive environments and sharing best practice for other OEMs.
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?
Roy Beardshaw (RB): I am the Head of Engineering for a generator manufacturer called Brush, responsible for generator engineering, including the development and service engineering teams. This is my second year as a ST&GUG committee member following many years of attending and presenting.
Q: What is the number one challenge for those using or benefitting from these technologies in today’s current market?
RB: Aside from the environmental impact of these power plants, the main challenge relates to adapting the equipment to match the operational requirements of national grids as demand increases and there is an increased reliance on renewable energy. This means that existing equipment needs to be modified to or operated differently, such as using a generator as a synchronous condenser.
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?
RB: For BRUSH it is the continued development to increase the power to weight ratio for mobile power plant units and that BRUSH has developed and certified a non-sparking stator winding for use in hazardous areas.
Q: Where do you see the future of these assets going in the next 5 – 10 years?
RB: Large power plants will either be mothballed or converted to be powered by an alternative fuel or converted for grid stability purposes.
Q: What other topics are you looking forward to hearing about and discussing at the upcoming user group?
RB: Plant operational flexibility.
Q: Why do you feel it is important for all engineers and professionals involved in these technologies to join the user group in 2020?
RB: The industry needs to respond to the market needs and this user group is the best place to formulate how to do this.
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.