Accelleron supports Alaska electric utility with digitally enabled service

Accelleron has signed a Turbo SmartCare service agreement with Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) to deliver digitally enabled service and maintenance for 20 turbochargers used at the MEA power station in Eklutna, Alaska, USA. The record-breaking 17-year agreement also includes a planned upgrade to the latest turbocharger technology, further driving efficiency and reliability at the plant. 

Turbochargers play a critical role in power generation by using exhaust gases from the engines to drive a turbine that compresses air back into the engine cylinders. This process boosts engine efficiency, allowing more power to be produced while using less fuel. At MEA’s Eklutna Generation Station, upgrading to the latest turbocharger technology means the engines will operate with greater efficiency and reliability, ensuring a stable power supply even during periods of high demand or extreme weather. With enhanced performance and longer intervals between maintenance, MEA can minimize downtime and continue delivering dependable electricity to its 57,000 members across Southcentral Alaska and neighboring utilities.

Using Turbo SmartCare, 20 Accelleron turbochargers on ten medium-speed, four-stroke engines will be digitally monitored to deliver optimization insights and ensure maximum reliability. Moreover, upgrading to the latest generation of TPL76-C8x turbochargers will bring an additional four percentage points of turbocharger efficiency.

For MEA, Alaska’s oldest and second-largest energy cooperative, the key advantage of the upgrade is a 50% increase of exchange intervals for rotating components – significantly lowering operational costs by extending component lifespan.

Turbo SmartCare is available for all medium-speed engines used in power generation. With a fixed price per running hour, it offers financial predictability for power providers, while Accelleron ensures maximum uptime. The customized 17-year agreement with MEA is the longest-running Turbo SmartCare contract ever signed by Accelleron. It covers the upgrade, overhauls, spare parts, wear and tear, and both scheduled and unscheduled services.

Smart service for peace of mind in a remote region

Accelleron has previously worked with MEA under a different long-term service plan. With Turbo SmartCare, the enhanced supervision – enabled by operational data captured every ten seconds – provides greater visibility of equipment performance and supports proactive decision-making. This capability is particularly valuable in the remote, rural region where MEA operates, and skilled labor is scarce and costly. It helps to optimize maintenance planning and ensure maximum equipment reliability.

Under the new agreement, Accelleron will guarantee rapid access to authorized service engineers, spare units and components, with all turbochargers covered by a warranty across the contract period.