Geothermal Power Plant Maintenance: Evaluating Maintenance System Needs Using Quantitative Kano Analysis

• Published in: Energies
• Main Authors: Reynir S. Atlason, Gudmundur V. Oddsson, Runar Unnthorsson
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014
• Subjects: geothermal; maintenance; system; Kano analysis; Technology; T; Iceland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/en7074169; https://doaj.org/article/95a96ebbca4a47c58c96908821c9802c

A quantitative Kano model is used in this study to identify which features are preferred by top-level maintenance engineers within Icelandic geothermal power plants to be implemented in a maintenance tool or software. Visits were conducted to the largest Icelandic energy companies operating geothermal power plants. Thorough interviews with chiefs of operations and maintenance were used as a basis for a quantitative Kano analysis. Thirty seven percent of all maintenance engineers at Reykjavik Energy and Landsvirkjun, responsible for 71.5% of the total energy production from geothermal resources in Iceland, answered the Kano questionnaire. Findings show that solutions focusing on (1) planning maintenance according to condition; (2) shortening documentation times; and (3) risk analysis are sought after by the energy companies but not provided for the geothermal sector specifically.