A 12,000-hour inspection and maintenance of the Wartsila generators at the Randolph Harley Power Plant was recently completed. Each of the three reciprocating internal combustion or RICE engines, were taken offline, one at a time, to perform the scheduled maintenance and ensure continued reliable and efficient operations.

Under the guidance of Wartsila Engineering, WAPA Production Maintenance personnel worked around the clock to inspect and maintain various components on each of the power generating engines.

The work was carried out in 12-hour shifts for approximately ten days on the first engine following which a “lessons learned” meeting determined methods by which work on the two remaining generators could be carried out more efficiently and over a shorter period. The work on the second and third generators was subsequently reduced to four days.

In each instance, the engine’s turbo chargers, which provide for the efficient operation of the units, were replaced. Cooling and lubrications systems were also inspected and the vocsidizers (equipment that ensure clean air emissions) were opened, serviced, and repaired.

The Wartsila engines provide 21 megawatts of power to the St. Thomas St. John district utilizing 100% LPG as its fuel source. These more efficient engines provide approximately the same power generating capability as the older gas turbines, while using half the volume of fuel. Since coming online in April of 2019, the three engines, which comprise the Wartsila power plant at Harley, have generated more than 222,000 megawatt hours of electricity.

Several WAPA employees worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the critical equipment outages required for the unit’s scheduled maintenance and inspection.

Through the leadership of Maintenance Manager Gabriel Dore, Maintenance Mechanical / Welding Supervisors Dana Joseph and Darryl Allen and Acting Electrical Maintenance Supervisor Trevor Liburd, all work was completed safely and on a timely basis.

The following employees contributed immensely to the success of the Wartsila overhaul and we salute them all!

Mechanics

Dana Joseph, Mechanic Supervisor – The main lead on the three overhauls; also supervised the day shift.

Eigel Lenhardt, Mechanic 1st Class

Keven Morton, Mechanic 1st Class

Sylvester Stout, Mechanic 1st Class – The primary mechanical leader for the overhauls.

Electrical

Trevor Liburd, Acting Electrical Supervisor

Francis Crawford, Electrician 1st Class - Instrumental leader on the electrical side.

Noel Hughes, Electrician 1st Class

Raul Rivera, Jr. Electrician 2nd Class

Piping and Welding

Darryl Allen, Piping & Welding Supervisor - Supervised the night shift and the repairs to vocidizers (VOCs) 2 and 3.

Marlon Wilton, Welder 1st Class – Instrumental leader on the mechanical side.

Louis Danet, III, Machinist 1st Class

Patrick Bridgemohan, Pipefitter 1st Class

Robert Collins, Welder 1st Class - Instrumental in addressing issues with VOCs 2 and 3

Carlos Echevarria, Welder 1st Class

Instrument

Nilltan John-Pierre, Instrument Technician 1st Class

Building and Grounds

Adonis Grosvenor, Maintenance Repairman 2nd Class – Instrumental in the cleaning of parts for repair and inspection and the facility during the overhaul.

Charles Daniel, Laborer

Anthony Peets, Laborer

Wellington James, Maintenance Repairman 2nd Class

Other Departments (Automation / Garage) Whose Employee Made Significant Contributions to the Project’s Success

Alfredo Josiah, Jr., Electronic Technician I

Vicente Donastorg, Instrument Engineer I

Glenis Weekes, Auto Mechanic 1st Class - A great help to the team during the three overhauls