tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033288879708780106.post6297107080472627052..comments2023-04-07T05:19:44.951-04:00Comments on Yes Vermont Yankee: About the Deepwater Horizon WellMeredith Angwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02737538041807740424noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3033288879708780106.post-60606439046340595892010-06-02T16:08:10.178-04:002010-06-02T16:08:10.178-04:00There may have been another factor operating. I e...There may have been another factor operating. I experienced it at the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant. I call it the "VIP Effect." At Ludington we had tested the first machine at low and mid levels of the upper reservoir. There was every expectation of success at the top level. VIPs from the utility and equipment manufacturer were scheduled to arrive for the final tests, and triumphant celebration. The Startup Engineer for the water wheel - the pump/turbine and governor, made a tiny change in the controls so the movement of the gates that control the water would operate smoothly and look perfect for the VIPs. <br /> <br />You know the rest. The tiny change had an unintended effect and caused damage to the machine which took a month or more to repair. A wiped Kingsbury Thrust bearing for a 1000 ton vertical shaft machine!<br /> <br />Sound like BP's oil rig? The VIPs were there. Was a decision made to impress them?Howard Shaffernoreply@blogger.com