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Combined Cycle Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

July 21, 2026 Online :: Central Time

“EUCI courses have three fundamental characteristics: substance, substance, and substance. Time and money well spent.”

Assistant GM-Power Supply, Burbank Water and Power

“EUCI’s courses have proved to be very beneficial not only because the speakers are experts in their areas, but also because the attendees bring a host of different perspectives, heightening the learning experience.”

Assistant General Counsel, E-ON

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Project Engineer, Vanderpool Pipeline Engineers, Inc.

Combined cycle power plants play a critical role in today’s electricity markets, providing flexible and efficient generation that supports both baseload power and the needs of a rapidly changing grid. These plants operate under increasingly complex conditions, requiring operators and maintenance teams to manage intricate interactions between gas turbines (GT), heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines (ST), and balance-of-plant systems to ensure effective plant performance.

This course provides a practical overview of how combined cycle power plants operate, where failures originate, and which O&M procedures most influence reliability. Emphasis is placed on the interactions between major plant systems and operational decisions that can help teams avoid trips, failed starts, and equipment stress. Key operational and maintenance topics will be explored, including:

  • Thermal transients
  • Water chemistry management
  • High-risk components
  • Preservation strategies for cycling units
  • Valve troubleshooting
  • Steam trap systems
  • HRSG inspections
  • Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

By the end of the course, attendees will be able to evaluate how operating practices, plant systems, and maintenance strategies work together to support reliable, long-term combined cycle power plant operations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the fundamental components of combined cycle power plants, including how gas turbines (GT), heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines (ST), and electrical systems interact to influence plant performance
  • Analyze standard combined cycle operating modes and identify operator decision points that affect reliability and plant efficiency
  • Assess the impact of thermal transients and operational behaviors on component fatigue and apply techniques that reduce system damage
  • Describe the role of water treatment and cycle chemistry in maintaining safe and reliable combined cycle plants
  • Identify high-risk components and failure mechanisms within combined cycle plants and apply practices that reduce failure risk
  • Evaluate preservation and layup strategies that minimize corrosion, contamination, and startup issues during outages or infrequent operation
  • Analyze the role of plant controls and operational coordination in improving plant startup reliability and heat rate performance
  • Explain how Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) support maintenance planning and modern reliability strategies
  • Recognize common steam trap types and failure modes, and identify maintenance challenges that impact system efficiency and reliability
  • Identify common valve failure indicators and maintenance practices to reduce the risk of valve-related outages
  • Assess key HRSG inspection practices and common findings that can impact long-term reliability

Register

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Individual attendee(s)$ 995.00 each(early bird rate)
(price after July 10, 2026 is $ 1,095.00)
Volume pricing also available

Individual attendee tickets can be mixed with ticket packs for complete flexibility

Pack of 5 attendees$ 4,230.00 (15% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after July 10, 2026 is $ 4,655.00)
Pack of 10 attendees$ 7,960.00 (20% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after July 10, 2026 is $ 8,760.00)
Pack of 20 attendees$ 14,925.00 (25% discount)(early bird rate)
(price after July 10, 2026 is $ 16,425.00)

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before June 19, 2026 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Agenda

Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Central Time

Online

Log In

8:45 AM

Lunch Break

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Adjourn for the day

4:30 PM

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Log In

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Part 1: Combined Cycle Operations

Module 1: Fundamentals of Combined Cycle Systems

  • Overview of Combined Cycle Components
  • High-Level Interactions Between GT, HRSG, ST, and Electrical Systems

Module 2: Operating Modes and Standard Practices & Procedures

  • How GT/HRSG/ST Sequences Interact During Starts, Transitions, and Shutdowns
  • Typical Challenges During Startup and Transition
  • Typical Operator Decision Points During Part-Load and Off-Peak Operation
  • Key Balance-of-Plant Considerations
  • What Cycling, Fuel Changes, and Varying Load Profiles Mean for Plant Performance
  • Avoiding Trips, Mis-Operations, and Failed Starts            

Module 3: Managing Thermal Transients

  • Drivers of Harmful Thermal Gradients and Fatigue
  • Operational Behaviors That Increase Risk
  • Use of Drains/Vents and Warm-Up Techniques to Minimize Damage

Module 4: Water Treatment and Cycle Chemistry

  • Chemistry Basics for Cycling Units
  • Iron Transport, Deposition, and Corrosion
  • Monitoring Systems and Compliance Considerations

Module 5: High-Risk Components

  • Attemperators, Drains, and Condensate System Vulnerabilities
  • Water Induction and Overspray Issues
  • Monitoring, Alignment, and Troubleshooting Considerations

Module 6: Preservation and Layup Strategies

  • Cycling vs. Baseload Preservation Needs
  • Short and Long-Term Layup Considerations
  • Managing Moisture, Corrosion, and Contamination

Module 7: Controls and Performance Optimization

  • Strategies for Faster, Reliable Plant Starts
  • Coordination Across GT/HRSG/ST Systems
  • Improving Heat Rate, Output, Alarms, and Trending Practices
12:00 - 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 - 4:00 PM

Part 2: Combined Cycle Plant Maintenance

Module 8: Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

  • Overview of a Typical CMMS
  • Overview of Current CMMS Platforms
  • AI and CMMS

Module 9: Steam Trap Systems

  • Styles of Traps
  • Common Failures of Each Style
  • Maintenance Challenges

Module 10: Critical Valve Troubleshooting and Maintenance

  • Common Failure Indicators and Failure Modes
  • Actuation, Position Feedback, and Stroke Issues
  • Planning Inspections and Maintenance Intervals

Module 11: HRSG Inspections

  • Programs for Inspection of HRSGs
  • Common Problems Found in Inspections
  • Pipe Hangers and Support
4:00 - 4:30 PM

Closing Discussion and Q&A

Instructor

John acted as the City of Riverside’s Generation Plant Manager for over 12 years and was the O&M Manager at Calpine for 11 years prior. Over his 20+ year career, John has become skilled in all things inspection, maintenance management, preventative maintenance, project planning and management, workplace safety, troubleshooting, engineering, and more. He is involved in the SCPPA Generation Group, Combined Cycle Users Group, and Western Turbine Users, Inc. John studied at the Universal Technical Institute and is a Certified Utility Safety Professional.

John Baker

Retired Plant Manager

Continuing Education Credits

IACET

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EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.7 CEUs for this event

Verify our IACET accreditation

 

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the course

 

Instructional Methods

PowerPoint presentations and open discussion will be used

CPE

Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 7.5
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

CpeEUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

CLE

Only registered attendees can request CLE credits for an EUCI course/event. Please email [email protected] prior to the course start date and list the state where you are licensed and your bar# as well as the name and date of your course/event in your request, and someone will be in contact.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for professionals involved in the operation, maintenance, and reliability of combined cycle plants who need practical guidance based on real plant behavior and failure mechanisms, including:

  • Plant Managers
  • Operations Managers
  • Control Room Operators and Shift Supervisors
  • Maintenance Teams
  • Plant, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers
  • Reliability and Asset Management Engineers
  • HRSG and Water Chemistry Specialists
  • Consultants and Service Providers
  • Equipment Vendors