November 26, 2024 Reliability of Central Utility Plants: A Testament to Our Midwest Team’s Dedication
Written By Jason Hill, Regional President - Midwest
When we bring an industrial chiller or boiler online, the expectation is clear: it must run reliably, efficiently, and safely for weeks or months on end. Achieving this level of reliability requires substantial time, planning, and a rigorous commitment to maintenance and operations. Our work isn’t just about keeping machines running; it’s about aligning with our Mission and Vision statements to operate and maintain world-class facilities that consistently meet the needs of our customers.
Flawless Execution in Omaha: A Model of Reliability
Recently, our Midwest team successfully completed a scheduled outage of our main central utilities plant in Omaha. Calling it “flawless” barely captures the dedication and precision displayed by our operations and maintenance (O&M) teams throughout this complex project. From safety considerations to meticulous planning, every aspect of the outage was executed with the utmost care and attention.
Our Maintenance Manager, Jerry Coleman, led the preparation for this weeklong outage, a process that spanned months to ensure everything from contractor alignment to material sourcing and workforce allocation was in place. These scheduled outages allow us to perform essential tasks that simply aren’t feasible while equipment is operational. This includes inspecting vessels, replacing valves, cleaning towers, and completing preventive maintenance tasks that keep our equipment running smoothly for the long haul.
Sustaining Service Through Team Coordination
Before we could begin this extensive maintenance, the team had to transfer loads to other facilities, ensuring that our customers’ service remained uninterrupted. Operations Manager Jamie Whitelock and the 24/7 operations team coordinated load transfers, factoring in daily weather patterns and forecasts to maintain service reliability without a hitch. Their dedication to planning meant that by the end of the week, as our teams carefully brought the facility back online, our customers experienced no interruptions—just the seamless reliability they depend on.
Strategic Maintenance for Ongoing Resilience
Regular maintenance and thorough inspections are foundational to our resilience and reliability. As Brian Bendt, our Cordia Midwest Plant Manager, emphasized, these plant outages aren’t just for repairs; they’re opportunities to integrate new equipment and install upgrades to boost efficiency and reliability. Reflecting on the recent outage, Brian said, “I feel like we accomplished more than I envisioned during this outage.”
Executing these projects requires highly skilled contractors, from fitters and welders to electricians, who understand the critical importance of every connection, weld, and adjustment they make. Each task is completed with precision, knowing that every piece must perform flawlessly to keep our facility running 24/7, supporting our commitment to reliability.
Reflecting on Success: Our People, Our Partners, Our Commitment
Reflecting on the past week, I feel deeply grateful for the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made by our Midwest team and our valued contractors. This project demanded extended hours, a strong “can-do” spirit, and an unwavering focus on our shared goal. It’s thanks to these incredible people that we continue to provide the reliable, uninterrupted service our customers depend on.
At the end of the day, this success story is about more than just machinery and maintenance. It’s about a group of people, aligned and focused on achieving a single goal: to support our customers with the highest level of reliability, every single day.