ABB has announced a special pre-conference training event focused specifically on the importance of transformers at power generation stations.

This new course will take place on Monday, Dec. 12, one day prior to the opening of the Power-Gen International 2011 conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On Dec. 12, ABB's Transformer and Components experts will host CPC 304 - Beyond the Generator: Transformer Considerations for Generating Stations. The purpose of the course is to outline considerations that best cover the needs of generation professionals from conception and design, through engineering and construction, to monitoring, service and preventative maintenance, and asset management.

This pre-conference workshop is intended for a variety of attendees, including but not limited to: general or corporate management; engineering management; engineering including design, systems and planning, operations and plant or station management; operations including maintenance, environmental or sustainability personnel, purchasing or supply chain management.

The eight-hour session will discuss considerations for transformers from planning through life-cycle management of a unit or system. Topics will include:

• Design considerations
• Construction and monitoring
• Service: Maintenance, asset management, condition understanding
• Failure: Prevention and analysis
• Spares: Why have them, what to have, and making sure they are ready to go
• Geomagnetic disturbances
• Bushings and other components
• GSU’s
• Auxiliary transformers
• Safety

Presenters for the training will be: Christoph Ploetner, ABB R&D and Technology Manager; Craig Stiegemeier, ABB Business Development and Technology Director, TRES; and Randy Williams, ABB Components Account Executive and Don Ristuccia, ABB Components Marketing Manager.

CPC 304 will conclude with a question and answer session with of all presenters. Presenters will be available for open-ended interaction on topics covered and those outside of material presented.