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Articles | 07.27.23

Middletown Power Facility

Middletown Power is situated on the western bank of the Connecticut River, in Middletown, Connecticut. The 953 MW facility includes three steam electric generating boilers, five combustion turbines, an auxiliary boiler, and two glycol boilers. The facility is owned by Generation Bridge, LLC, managed by Eastern Generation, and operated by CAMS.

Community Outreach

Middletown employees demonstrate their commitment to community outreach and service through numerous volunteer activities. One example is their long-term affiliation with the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science Technology (FIRST) program through their relationship with the Xavier High School FullMetal Robotics team, the FullMetal Merlins. The team is comprised of more than 40 students who design, build, program, and test robots to compete in FIRST tournaments. Under the leadership of Nick Mainetti, Maintenance Manager at Middletown, the students not only hone their robotics skills, but also learn project management, communication, organizational, and technical skills.

Shaping the Future

This year, under Mainetti’s guidance, the FullMetal Merlins, garnered numerous accolades, becoming finalists at four events, semifinalists at the state championship, and winners of two other events. They also secured the Motivate Award, which is given to the team that incites the most people to engage in robotics, and the prestigious Raytheon Technologies Innovate Award, which celebrates the team with the most innovative robot. Mainetti’s effective mentorship is shaping the future of these aspiring engineers and technologists while exemplifying the CAMS value to enrich the communities in which we live and work.

Articles | 12.19.22

Consolidated Asset management Services (CAMS) serves as the asset manager for Carolina Power Partners (CPP) and actively engages in community service that aligns with the ESG goals of both companies. CPP owns Kings Mountain Energy Center (KMEC), a 475-megawatt combined cycle facility located in Kings Mountain, N.C., that provides reliable, environmentally-friendly power to the Carolinas. Currently, the CPP-CAMS team was involved in two initiatives to help CPP customers in Winterville, N.C.

For the first initiative, CAMS developed an educational campaign to inform CPP customers of the causes of rising electricity costs. The flyer provides useful tips to conserve energy and save money. This information was available through a “Guide to Your Winter Electricity Bill” publication that was posted to the Town of Winterville website. The guide also provides an overview of the KMEC, which produces most of the power CPP supplies to local towns, cites and universities in North and South Carolina.

For the second initiative, CAMS organized a partnership with the Town of Winterville, Greene Lamp (a local Community Action Agency), and CPP to provide lower income families financial assistance to reduce their monthly electricity bills throughout  a 12-month period. Funds donated by CPP are expected to support approximately 265 families in the Town of Winterville.

Articles | 09.08.22

HOUSTON – Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS) corporate office in Houston and the Vandolah Power Plant, a CAMS-operated facility located in Wauchula, Florida, recently supported back-to-school supply drives in their local areas. Enriching the communities in which we live and work is a core value for CAMS.

Throughout August, corporate employees donated supplies such as paper, notebooks, binders, scissors, glue, pens, pencils, and rulers to the 2022 YMCA Greater Houston Operation Backpack drive. This initiative benefits over 20,000 children living within Houston.

Vandolah employees also packed approximately 300 backpacks with school supplies for students from kindergarten through high school. The backpacks were distributed at the community’s annual Wildcat Tailgate event sponsored by Main Street Wauchula.

“CAMS’ participation in these events helps ensure local students have what they need for a great start to the school year,” said Mona Johnson, CAMS Senior Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Regulatory. “CAMS employees are actively involved in their communities and continuously pursue opportunities like these to make a positive impact.”

CAMS manages and operates energy assets that provide reliable fuel, transportation, and power throughout the U.S. and Europe. Vandolah Power Plant, owned by Northern Star Generation and operated by CAMS, is a 680-megawatt, dual fuel, peeking plant.

In addition to employee participation in local volunteer activities, CAMS increases the impact of these efforts through financial support and its charitable matching gift program.

 

Articles | 08.22.22

New Covert designed an upgrade of its turbines and emission control systems to improve operational efficiencyThe New Covert Generating Facility (New Covert) is a natural gas fired, combined-cycle plant, consisting of three individually dispatchable combined-cycle units and state of the art emission controls. The plant, located in Covert, Van Buren County, Michigan, has operated since 2003. CAMS has operated the facility since 2015 and the facility is owned by Segreto Power Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Eastern Generation Holdings, LLC. The New Covert plant can provide electricity to over one million homes.

In 2018, the facility designed an upgrade of all three Mitsubishi 501G combustion turbines to improve the facility performance to a gross nominal output of 1,230 megawatts (MW). The gross nominal output of the combustion turbines increased from 245 MW each pre-project to 260 MW each post -project, and the heat recovery steam generators increased from 125 MW each pre-project to 150 MW each post-project.

The upgrade involved replacing several rows of turbine blades and vanes on each turbine and resulted in the need for less cooling air and a corresponding increase in fuel consumption, exhaust flow rate and temperature, turbine efficiency, and electricity production. In parallel, the plant upgraded its emission control systems for both NOx and CO. Upgrades to the NOx control system involved the ammonia injection grid and the aqueous ammonia system to ensure an emission concentration of 2 ppmvd at 15% O2 could be achieved.

As part of these upgrades, over the last three years New Covert developed and implemented a new ammonia distribution system for NOx control. The improved system includes new pumps, control systems, distribution headers and nozzles, and a reformulated Selective Catalytic Reduction catalyst. As a result of these investments, New Covert reduced ammonia consumption by 7.5%.  The relative cost for ammonia was $240,000 less in 2021 than in 2018, while increasing electricity output and producing lower concentrations of NOx. Overall, the project was beneficial to the environment while improving operational efficiency.

Learn more about our sustainability efforts, operations and maintenance services and more.

Articles | 11.01.21

HOUSTON – Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS), an industry leading asset management and operations and maintenance (O&M) services provider, recently announced the Laredo Energy Center (LEC), which is operated by CAMS, recently celebrated 15 years without a lost time accident or recordable injury.

LEC is a two-unit, simple-cycle natural gas fired power plant located in Laredo, Texas, and owned by Talen Energy. The plant consists of nine full-time employees who, to date, have safely operated 5,502 days incident free. As a token of appreciation to the employees, they were awarded a celebratory lunch and provided backpacks with gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs, and other safety related items to utilize both at home and work.

Congratulations to the Laredo Energy Center team on its huge achievement and continue the wonderful work!

About CAMS

CAMS is a privately held company providing a full range of services in the energy sector. These services include lifecycle management of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues for all facility and industry types. Our founding principle is to add value through superior management and operation of our clients’ energy infrastructure assets. To this end, we empower our employees to pursue creative and sustainable business practices in the field and at our corporate office that contribute to operational excellence, financial performance, a safe workplace, and a better community and environment.  We do not take this responsibility lightly: We treat the assets with which we are entrusted as our own. For additional information, visit www.camstex.com.

About Talen Energy

Talen Energy is one of the largest competitive power generation and infrastructure companies in North America. TES owns and/or controls approximately 13,000 megawatts of generating capacity in wholesale U.S. power markets, principally in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas and Montana.

Through its subsidiary, Cumulus Growth, Talen is developing a large-scale portfolio of renewable energy, battery storage, and digital infrastructure assets across its expansive footprint. For more information, visit www.talenenergy.com/esg-focused-future.

Articles | 08.26.21

Hamakua Energy (Hamakua), a 60-MW combined-cycle power generation facility located on the island of Hawai’i in Honoka’a, Hawaii, provides 22 percent of Hawai’i Island’s generating capacity. CAMS has managed and operated the plant since 2011.

The facility’s primary fuel is naphtha. Prior to October 2019, low sulfur and ultra-low sulfur diesel were used for start-ups and to supplement the naphtha. Naphtha is a cost-effective fuel but is typically procured as either a byproduct of other refining operations in Hawai’i or is procured from the naphtha markets in Asia.

In 2019, CAMS supported the owner, Hamakua Energy, LLC, a Pacific Current company, in securing a biodiesel supply contract with Pacific Biodiesel Technologies (Pacific Biodiesel). Pacific Biodiesel owns a refinery at the Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau that utilizes state-of-the art distillation technology to produce the nation’s highest quality biodiesel. Much of the fuel is manufactured through the recycling of waste cooking oils from restaurants statewide.

The use of the Pacific Biodiesel fuel represents a sustainable business practice for Hamakua. The consumption of the locally-sourced renewable fuel that is transported to the facility via biodiesel-fueled trucks supports a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This is done through a decreased reliance on imported fossil fuels both at the plant and in the supply chain, while upholding the State’s energy independence and energy security initiatives.

At CAMS, our founding principle is to add value through superior management and operation of our clients’ energy infrastructure assets. We know what it takes to run a sustainable business. Since 2007, CAMS has managed energy assets that provide reliable fuel, transportation, and power to grids throughout the U.S. and Europe. Whether you’re seeking a partner to develop a full Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) management program, or looking for guidance on how to achieve a sustainable, value-driven work culture, our experienced team can help you achieve your goals. Connect with one of our experts today.

Articles | 08.20.21

Calhoun Power Company, LLC is a 688-MW dual-fuel simple-cycle generation facility located in Eastaboga, Ala. The plant’s four GE 7FA gas turbine engines generate enough electricity to power over 500,000 homes in the region. The plant is owned by Harbert Power Fund V, LLC and has been operated by CAMS since 2016.

Awarding College Scholarships

Calhoun Power takes community involvement seriously. Through the Anniston Community Education Foundation (ACEF), Calhoun Power offers three $2,000 scholarships annually, divided between the fall and spring semesters, to graduating seniors planning a degree in electrical, electronic or engineering related majors. In additional to demonstrated academic success, all high school senior scholarship recipients have contributed at least 20 hours to community service. The scholarships are renewable one time and returning applicants must serve at least 40 community service hours over the previous year.

Pictured above are recent recipients of ACEF scholarships, including six Calhoun Power Scholars. The Calhoun Power Scholars include are attending Jacksonville State University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Auburn University. Their academic interests include computer science, environmental science, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Vocational Education Tours

Each year, Calhoun Power sponsors local vocational education students to tour the plant to learn about careers in the power generation field.

Pictured below are Anniston High School Career and Technical Education students.

Pictured below are Cleburne County High Schools students.

Articles | 08.11.21

HOUSTON – Consolidated Asset Management Services (CAMS) supported Houston area families and students as part of the YMCA of Greater Houston’s 17th annual Operation Backpack, a drive that provides backpacks and school supplies for students in need.

CAMS employees organized a collection and filled new backpacks with the supplies to make a difference in the local community. The investment made by CAMS employees provides children the opportunity to return to learning with the tools to be successful.

“Many of us have kids of our own and know the importance of having the necessary supplies to excel in the classroom,” said Mona Johnson, CAMS Senior Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory. “This drive directly addresses the needs of our local community, and it was wonderful to see our employees take the initiative to coordinate it.”

According to the YMCA of Greater Houston, 28.8 percent of Houston students age 17 and younger live below the poverty line. By distributing necessary school supplies, YMCA Operation Backpack’s mission is to fill students with hope for a brighter future as they start the school year. The YMCA’s goal is to reach 30,000 Houston area youth.

CAMS values and aims to enrich the communities in which we live and work.

Articles | 07.14.21

By Matthew Pacobit, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs

After posting the article Cybersecurity in Power Plants – Is my facility vulnerable? we received additional questions asking how OT or Operational Technology is different from IT business networks. This article will explain some of those differences and why they are important when considering cybersecurity.

Operational vs. Business Networks

Let’s first consider the structure of business networks because that is what most people are familiar with. Business networks are typically a collection of independent systems (computers) all running software from either Windows or Linux. Each computer is able to communicate with other computers through the business network, and each computer controls who it is talking to. For example, when you browse the internet you type in a web address which instructs your computer to initiate a request for information from a server. There are some exceptions to this generalized description of the structure of business networks, but for the purpose of this analysis they are not essential (even though I know there are some IT professional pulling out their hair in frustration with this oversimplification). One of the key characteristics of this structure is that it allows for enterprise-type solutions for virus protection and patching because all the machines on the business network run the same operating system. However, what happens if all the machines are not independent systems and do not run the same operating system?

This brings us to Operational Technology, which again will be discussed very generically as there are countless types in existence. Operational networks do not just use the Windows PC that you see in the control room, but instead interface with field devices and field networks running a variety of proprietary software and/or operating systems. These could include systems from companies such as Emerson, GE, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen Bradley, and Bently Nevada to name a few. Even within these vendors there can be different systems such as Emerson’s Ovation system and Emerson’s heart communication implementation on their Rosemount transmitters. Normally, these different systems are run by a central controller. They are not designed for their own independent reliability, but for the overall reliability of the plant or system that they are operating. In practice, this means that if the central controller detects something is wrong, it will fail to the backup controller. What causes this to happen varies widely by system design and manufacturer.

Due to the differences in the way business and operational networks are setup and function, we must take different approaches to how we secure these systems. For example, you can run a network detect tool on a business network with minimal risk of causing any issues, but if you run that same tool on an operations network you could bring down the entire network and the plant with it. While this may not happen every time, there is a much greater risk on the operational networks due to the differences in structure. Another good example is patching. There are several Windows patches that cannot be loaded onto certain operational networks because they will cause significant issues to the network.

Therefore, it is crucial when you are looking at securing your operational networks to make sure you are using someone with knowledge and experience with OT and who understands why and how they are different from business networks.


For help and information about protecting your operational or business network and data systems, contact one of our experts.

Articles | 07.12.21

Two CAMS facilities, Calhoun Power and Lincoln Generating Station are recognized leaders in the safety arena. Both sites are Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star sites.

Calhoun Power Company, LLC is a 688-MW dual-fuel simple-cycle generation facility located in Eastaboga, Ala. The plant’s four GE 7FA gas turbine engines generate enough electricity to power over 500,000 homes in the region. The plant is owned by Harbert Power Fund V, LLC and had been operated by CAMS since 2016.
The Lincoln Generating Facility is a 656-MW natural gas‐fired simple‐cycle facility located southeast of Manhattan, Ill. The plant includes eight GE 7EA Gas Turbines, four of which have black start capability. The plant is owned by Eastern Generation, LLC and has been operated by CAMS since 2016.

As VPP sites, the Calhoun and Lincoln management teams, site staff, and OSHA work together to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. A tailored system is implemented that incorporates the key elements of the VPP program:

  • Management Leadership and Employee Involvement
  • Work Site Analysis
  • Hazard Prevention and Control
  • Health and Safety Training

To participate, a formal application to OSHA is required, followed by a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the program.

Calhoun Power

Mike Carter, Plant Manager at Calhoun Power shares his team’s safety strategies:

Management Leadership and Employee Involvement

Buy-in. All site members are involved and understand the importance of buy-in to the safety culture and expectation of safety at all levels. If anyone has an idea to improve a process, the team discusses and decides the next step as a group. If there is a way to improve a task or process, we will do it. Tasks need solid procedures in place. During site orientation, we mention our accomplishment of being a VPP Star site and enforce the need to work safely for the contractors.

Work Site Analysis

We are constantly looking to ensure no hidden hazards are in our work area. We discuss daily jobs at each morning meeting and remind each other of the safety hazards for the task to ensure the job will get done safely. We read a portion of the CAMS safety manual at every morning meeting to keep safety fresh on our minds.

Hazard Prevention and Control

We are required to conduct one safety meeting a month, instead, we do one each Wednesday. Part of this includes a Hazard Hunt, during which each individual walks the site specifically looking for any hazards and taking action to mitigate potentially unsafe conditions.

Safety and Health Training

As with all sites, we are required to conduct specific training, either computer based (GPi), or hands on. Tracking is critical to ensure all personnel receive the training required to maintain the knowledge required for proficiency at daily tasks as well as emergencies. We have emergency procedures for any critical scenario we can think of.

Lincoln Generating Facility

The Lincoln Generating Facility program fundamentals include:

Management Leadership and Employee Involvement

Management recognizes and accepts the responsibility in leading all employees in maintaining a safe culture at Lincoln Generating Facility. Responsibility for safety and health at Lincoln Generating Facility is assigned in a variety of ways.

All employees are responsible for the maintenance, housekeeping, and safety of the site. Therefore to assist in the drive of these responsibilities, the site utilizes not only the Safety Committee to lead in these efforts, but also the Safety Promotion and Recognition Program to reward employees for their efforts. Safety is as much an individual’s responsibility as it is a management or company responsibility. All Lincoln Generating Facility employees are expected to leave work in the same physical condition as when they arrived. Therefore, these same employees are responsible to assist in maintaining and improving the sites safety and health programs and are expected to set a safe example for all employees’ contractors and visitors.

Worksite Analysis

All job descriptions are developed with safety accountabilities as a primary component. Safety procedures indicate positions that are responsible for activities and/or documentation.

Job Safety Analysis (JSAs) are developed by the job experts/employees in each area to identify position responsibilities for safe practices. General employee safety responsibilities are stated in the new employee orientation and weekly/ annual safety training at the site. Safety goals and objectives are part of every employee’s performance review.

Health & Safety Performance Goals & Training

Lincoln Generating Facility annually sets safety and performance goals for the site. This allows the site to prioritize its Safety, Health, and Training issues and enhances the recognition of safety, as a long-term commitment. All employees are held accountable in reaching performance goals and objectives. These goals and objectives are measured through the employees’ annual performance review process. The annual reviews include areas of safety, quality and productivity.  Safety, Health, and Training programs and goals are communicated on a regular basis with the employees via new employee orientations, daily meetings, postings and employee evaluations.


Do you need a health and safety assessment? Safety training? Support for Management of Change processes? Learn more about our health and safety services or contact one of our experts today. contact-ancillary-services