ABB to offer special Transformer training at Power-Gen 2011 in Las Vegas

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announces a special pre-conference training event focused specifically on the importance of transformers at power generation stations. This new course, part of the Power-Gen Competitive Power College (CPC) program put together by Pennwell, will take place on Monday, December 12, one day prior to the opening of the Power-Gen International 2011 conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. Power-Gen will run from December 13-15, 2011. ABB will be exhibiting in booth #4416 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. These CPC pre-conference workshops are designed to maximize the Power-Gen International experience. These courses are designed to be relevant, topical, issue-concentrated classes taught by recognized experts in their respective fields. On December 12, ABB's Transformer and Components experts will host "CPC 304 - Beyond the Generator: Transformer Considerations for Generating Stations." The purpose of the course is to outline considerations that best cover the needs of generation professionals from conception and design, through engineering and construction, to monitoring, service and preventative maintenance, and asset management. "ABB's extensive experience with generating stations and transformers alike has exposed us to the many aspects involved in projects that need management and transformer expertise to prevent issues, minimize uncertainties and ultimately maximize efficiency," said Richard Bocim, head of Commercial Operations, Transformers, North America, ABB. "We look forward to sharing these insights with participants of this intensive and interactive course offering." This pre-conference workshop is intended for a variety of attendees, including but not limited to: general or corporate management; engineering management; engineering including design, systems and planning, operations and plant or station management; operations including maintenance, environmental or sustainability personnel, purchasing or supply chain management. The eight-hour session will discuss considerations for transformers from planning through life-cycle management of a unit or system. Topics will include:

• Design considerations
• Construction and monitoring
• Service: Maintenance, asset management, condition understanding
• Failure: Prevention and analysis
• Spares: Why have them, what to have, and making sure they are ready to go
• Geomagnetic disturbances
• Bushings and other components
• GSU's
• Auxiliary transformers
• Safety

Presenters for the training will be: Christoph Ploetner, ABB R&D and Technology Manager; Craig Stiegemeier, ABB Business Development and Technology Director, TRES; and Randy Williams, ABB Components Account Executive and Don Ristuccia, ABB Components Marketing Manager. CPC 304 will conclude with a question and answer session with of all presenters. Presenters will be available for open-ended interaction on topics covered and those outside of material presented. The cost to attend is $500. All CPC attendees receive a certificate of completion. To register for CPC 304 or any of the CPC courses, visit the POWER-GEN website www.power-gen.com/?NavId=7554&Language=Engl www.abb.com