This paper presents investigation on availability carried out on eight hydro-unit generators at Kainji Hydro-Power Station in Nigeria. The availability investigation was done through an exhaustive collection of data from samples of operating facilities in the power station. Data was collected from plant user maintenance log, operation records and manufacturers’ data also were necessary available sources. This investigation used the NERC/ IEEE std 762 generator performance indices amongst other calculated key operational availability indices in the evaluations and analysis of the collected data. A software program was developed, ‘Function Outage Parameters (OP)’, using the outage frameworks of data collected from the station. The program was implemented in MATLAB 11.5b which provided user-friendly Graphical User Interfaces [GUI] and corresponding output results in numerical values in tables of values and graphs. The data was used to model all the eight (8) generating units available in the station. The result was used to evaluate performance indices and a periodic availability assessment of all the installed generating units. The study has demonstrated that availability has a very major impact on power generation and plant economy. Specific guidelines for higher flexibility in operations through quality assurance procedures and maintenance for the power station was recommended from results output summaries in relation to peerpower stationunits for sustainable power availability. Result shows reduction in plant availability is caused by increased number and duration of forced and maintenance outages as well as prolonged maintenance periods. The causes and durations of forced outages and unscheduled maintenances were identified through the study of outage causes. The investigations ensured quantified comparative analysis for planned and unplanned outages by using results to estimate unit generators’ performance. Possible use of a historic failure database to identify critical components for improvement of generating unit availability is demonstrated. The availability and performances results generated by stations values for a period of seven years were: 1G5 = 89%; 1G6= 89.99%; 1G7 =85.24%; 1G8 = 87.45%; 1G9= 86.50%; 1G10 = 29.71%; 1G11 = 29.71%; 1G12 = 29.71% while the overall station units’ availability is 88.35%. Although the energy availability level in Nigeria is still abysmally low, the facts presented herein are sufficient to exhibit the importance of power availability and unit performance measurement in enhancing the country energy revolution and development.

Full text: IJEIR_1198_Final.pdf