Turbine Technology Services Introduces LODESTAR™ Turbine Parts Management

Industry-leading gas turbine technology company launches new software to increase performance

Turbine Technology Services (TTS), an industry-leading gas turbine technology company, introduces LODESTAR™ Parts Management, a new software that gathers and organizes large amounts of plant operational and unit component life data, then presents that data in actionable reports.

“Lodestar is defined as a star that shows the way,” said Dave May, Parts Group Manager for TTS. “Our new software guides the management of turbine parts. LODESTAR is an easy-to-use, cloud-based software empowering users to make informed decisions and accurately plan.”

LODESTAR tracks the full maintenance history and calculates remaining component useful life using online operational data, inspection data, TILs, and component life standards and experience. The software provides tools that manipulate this data to eliminate operational surprises including:

  • Simulator-based future planning (“what if” scenarios).
  • Graphical representation of maintenance timelines.
  • Cost and value reports and budget planning.

“We project that digital systems and processes like LODESTAR will generate 16 percent cost savings,” said Tony Thornton, President of TTS. “With today’s budget sensitivity, that is significant.”

Cost savings aren’t the only driver for adoption, additional benefits include:

  • Accommodates a more fluid workforce. LODESTAR is licensed by the unit and not by the seat. Train the entire maintenance team at no additional cost.
  • Provides consistent data visibility to all stakeholders.
  • Improves levels of innovation and transparency through sophisticated forecasting models.
  • Allows engagement in an ecosystem with technology partners.
  • Provides a clearer picture of parts life, minimizing unplanned downtime.

By weaving systems, data and people together, LODESTAR creates solutions that increase performance across many levels.

Accenture research indicates that nearly 90 percent of utilities anticipate that technological advances will rapidly and significantly change the industry over the next three years. The industry is now poised to take advantage of emerging technologies with LODESTAR.

TTS has the engineering expertise and over thirty years’ experience providing support and counsel to help client’s make LODESTAR an integral part of their gas turbine’s parts management platform. Follow the star to better decision making and planning.

Explore the in-depth capabilities of LODESTAR and TTS by visiting www.ttslodestar.com.


Discover the Full Capabilities of Turbine Technology Services on Expanded Website

Industry-leading gas turbine technology company launches intuitive site

turbine-technology-services-logo (1)

Orlando, Fla. (September 1, 2016) – Turbine Technology Services (TTS) recently launched a new, user-friendly website. With more than 30 years of experience in the power generation industry, TTS’ new site expands upon its innovative gas turbine technology, as well as emphasizes the company’s capabilities as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) alternative, including delivery of industry-leading aftermarket parts, gas turbine installation and modernization, and exceptional customer service, worldwide.

“The gas industry is constantly changing, and TTS is changing with it,” said Scott Muster, TTS Marketing Director. “Our customers require information needed to make complex decisions and solve power generation problems. The new site explains how we can help. More content is in the works including detailed technical data, explanation videos and valuable case studies.”

On top of featuring the company’s broad portfolio of products and services, TTS made the new website easier to access. Developed using the latest technology, the website is compatible with today’s internet browsers and mobile devices.

Pat Begley, TTS Vice President said, “TTS is and will always be a technology company; gas turbine engineering is our product. This website puts our innovative technologies and expertise in the spotlight.”

Tony Thornton, TTS President commented, “The gas industry and the turbine business is our world. We hope visitors come to the website and learn our world is much bigger than they knew.”

Explore the in-depth capabilities of TTS by visiting http://turbinetech.com/.

Check the website often for the latest industry news, trainings and seminars, and company announcements.


Stabilizing the grid has its challenges

Gas turbine generators must consider using Fast Start techniques to respond to the volatility of renewable energy output.

Power LinesThe business of power production is profoundly changing. In the not too distant future, all electricity generation, with the exception of nuclear power
and power from renewable energy sources, will need to be run on a completely flexible basis, responding rapidly to stabilize the grid. Here are some of the drivers for this paradigm:Solar Panels

  • Renewable Energy installed capacity is increasing at an exponential rate; currently >13% or 80GW of US total installed capacity.
  • Wind and solar power generation have fast changing output profiles due to the violent weather fluctuations.
  • We will need 20–50 GW of power to come on line within just a few minutes or hours.Wind Turbines
  • Up to 100% of the non-renewable fleet will require daily start-stop operation, and load ramps of about 200 MW/minute will need to be covered.
  • Thermal power generating systems typically need to be started an hour or more beforehand to reach full load.

Gas Turbine Peaking Plants are being challenged to provide the necessary fast response to maintain grid stability. Advanced power plant solutions can reach full load for power generation in just a few minutes.

Legacy gas turbines, which make up a significant portion of non-renewable power generation, were not originally designed for this kind of operation. However, that is not to say they can’t be more flexible. The complex architecture of a gas turbine, particularly combined cycle plants, presents formidable challenges to engineers and operators to handle major operational transitions like Fast Start without a negative impact on safety, reliability, availability and maintainability.

Fast Start can be achieved primarily through advanced control schemes. To achieve increased flexibility and reduce start time, there are several key points to consider:

  • Test & Implement existing Fast Start capability.
  • Improve starting reliability.
  • Establish Purge Credit if required.
  • Implement techniques from Advanced Class units such as “Fire-on-the-Fly” and Fast Sync.

In summary, Fast Start already exists in some form or other for Legacy Peaking Units. And, there are options to improve Flexibility that include: Major upgrades – Purge Credit through Fuel System redesign and Minor upgrades – Sequencing changes.

Turbine Technology Systems (TTS) has a prepared a presentation called Flexibility Enhancements for Gas Turbines that delves into some of the specific challenges and NFPA-85 standards.

View the presentation at www.TTSFastStart.com.


Outage Kits for Convenience and Cost Control

In our outage kits, you pay only for the parts you use.

Consumables are typically 10% of a gas turbine’s maintenance costs. That’s a significant number in the budget in of itself, but greater still are the associated soft and hard costs for placing multiple PO’s to multiple vendors, receiving, identifying and logging hundreds of small parts into inventory, storage costs, stocking excess inventory and inventory holding costs. … [Read More]


Turbine Technology Services Announces Formation of New Corporate Flagship, TTS Energy Services

TTS Energy Services has been launched to encompass the expertise of both Turbine Technology Services and its recent expansion into oil and gas with Reciprocating Technology Services.
Tony Thornton, President of TTS, would like to introduce the new corporate flagship, TTS Energy Services. The driver behind this formation is a corporate growth strategy in diversifying the offerings the experts at TTS and RTS can offer the industry, entering new market segments and managing this all under a single corporate entity.
… [Read More]


CyberSecurity: “The single biggest threat out there is cyber.”

7F Users Group Conference: CyberSecurity… Options for Gas Turbine Control Systems

Turbine Technology Services (TTS)  is delivering a presentation at the 7F Users Group Annual Conference being held in Orlando, FL, May 9-13 that is focused on the compliance and threat issues that gas turbine control systems face. “In the past, many owners and operators haven’t focused very much on security and staying current with their cyber assets.” Said David Donnaruma, Project Engineer, TTS. … [Read More]


TTS Enterprises Expands Industry Capabilities with Launch of Reciprocating Technology Services

Reciprocating Technology Services will provide comprehensive solutions for oil and gas reciprocating engines and compressors.

TTS Enterprises is excited to announce the launch of our new company, Reciprocating Technology Services (RTS). RTS joins Turbine Technology Services Corporation (TTS) to solidify our worldwide engineering capabilities for the power generation, oil and gas industry. … [Read More]


Establishing Cybersecurity Compliance Position to Support Power Plant Customer NERC/FERC Requirements

Turbine Technology Services adds cybersecurity compliance support to its existing suite of plant control system design and support services. 

(ORLANDO, FLORIDA) —Turbine Technology Services (TTS), a full-service turbine engineering firm based in Orlando, Florida, is solidifying its focus on supporting customer cybersecurity compliance efforts by appointing Mark Ring as its Senior Compliance Coordinator. … [Read More]


Exhibiting Turbine Monitoring System at 2015 7F Users Group Annual Conference

Turbine Technology Services will showcase their comprehensive products and services at this year’s conference in Denver, Colorado.

(Orlando, Florida) —Turbine Technology Services (TTS), a full-service gas turbine engineering services firm based in Orlando, Florida, will attend the 2015 7F Users Group Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado. The 7F Users Group Annual Conference is of key importance to the power industry, with over 2,000 7F gas turbines currently in operation worldwide in power plants and other facilities. At this conference, TTS will be able to connect with and educate users about how they can maximize the performance and reliability of GE 7F gas turbines. … [Read More]