Top Trends in Power Plant Maintenance Market

IoT Predictive Maintenance Tools

Internet of Things (IoT) technology takes power plant maintenance one step further by using sensors, meters and similar tools to monitor and collect asset data in real time. This data is then communicated over a network to software and other asset management solutions, allowing power plant companies to gain deeper insight into asset performance. IoT predictive maintenance tools often connect to solutions such as maintenance management software to run predictive maintenance analytics based on performance data and determine whether or not an asset requires maintenance, which helps companies quickly identify red flags to minimize unnecessary downtime.

Enterprise Asset Management Software

Enterprise Asset Management also known as EAM solutions help power plants to take better control of the overall asset lifecycle management process. Unlike the more specific solutions, enterprise asset management is a much broader process that allows power plants to see the bigger picture for asset use and management. EAM software typically integrates asset maintenance tools such as predictive maintenance analytics and work order automation to optimize and accelerate the equipment maintenance process. Not only can EAM solutions help improve power plant maintenance, but plants can also use such solutions to enhance the overarching asset management process from asset acquisition to disposal.

Computerised Systems

At a power plant, keeping up with maintenance is incredibly complex and challenging but also crucial for safety. There is no way that personnel onsite can keep track of the status of each component and asset the plant uses from one minute to the next. This is why power plants use computerised systems to track the real time status of their equipment, down to small details, so that nothing slips between the cracks.

Using Drones Instead of People

Drones made for flying in confined spaces can take the place of the inspector’s physical presence, allowing the inspector to collect visual data about the conditions within the asset remotely, without ever having to enter it. Drones can help improve power plant maintenance by providing safer inspections, expanding access to assets, increasing savings & ROI and prolonging asset lifespans.

SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition also known as SCADA is a complex industrial control system that uses computers and network data communications to monitor plant and machinery conditions. SCADA is used in several industrial processes, including power plant maintenance, refining, fabrication and manufacturing. This integration is also often used for sharing information about security related issues like fault detection, alarms and abnormal conditions detected within the plant.

Future Expectations

Demand of power plant maintenance is expected to increase in the near future owing to rise in globalization and urbanization. Also, demand for electricity is rising owing to an increase in population. Therefore, increase in investment in generation of hydroelectric power, renewable energy and geothermal power plant is anticipated to boost the global power plant maintenance market in the near future.