2026 Power Users Combined Annual Conferences August 24-27, 2026
This event reminder is sponsored by: Allstream Energy Partners, leaders in Digital Marketing in Oil and Gas & Energy
The Combined Conference brings together five user groups under the Power User umbrella – Combined Cycle Users Group (CCUG), Generator Users Group (GUG), Low Carbon Peer Group (LCPG), Power Plant Controls Users Group (PPCUG), and Steam Turbine Users Group (STUG).
The program is designed for User Attendee-Only conference sessions. Registration allows users to attend and participate in sessions offered by all participating User Groups, a perfect opportunity for Users to stay in tune with their rotating equipment while keeping up to speed on important balance-of-plant topics that are critical in maintaining and operating efficient and reliable power plants.
Vendors may participate through sponsorships, presenting opportunities, and exhibiting at the Vendor Fair.
Please join us August 24-27 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk for the 2026 Power Users Combined Annual Conference.
2026 Combined Conference Agenda
All sessions are “User Only” sessions unless noted otherwise on the agendas. Presenting vendors are allowed in the room when it is their time to present.
This conference offers certificates for Professional Development Hours (PDH’s) for conference attendees. Please see the User Registration > PDH for more details.
Agenda is subject to change. Please check back often as more presentations are added.
CC226 Conference Agenda
Conference schedule for August 23–27, 2026. Sessions are organized by date and include their associated track and location.
08/23/2026
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Registration / Hospitality Desk Open
08/24/2026
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration / Hospitality Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:15 am
STUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:15 am
GUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:15 am
PPCUG – GE Vernova Training Introduction and setup by PPCUG
8:00 am – 10:00 am
CCUG – Outage Management: Observed Pitfalls and Lessons Learned
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
LCPG – No Monday Morning Sessions
8:00 am – 11:45 pm
Vendor Fair Set-up: Malone Convention Decorating
8:15 am – 8:45 am
GUG – Generator Cooling
8:15 am – 9:00 am
STUG – State of the Industry
8:15 am – 10:00 am
PPCUG – GEV Mark VIe Turbine and Plant Control Beginner 101: Introduction, Overview and Architecture
8:45 am – 10:00 am
GUG – Sweep Frequency Response Analysis
9:00 am – 10:00 am
STUG – ST 101
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break
10:15 am – 11:15 am
STUG – Key ST Issues
10:15 am – 12:00 pm
CCUG – HRSG 101: A Comprehensive Introduction
10:15 am – 12:00 pm
GUG – SEL Training – Generator Protection Relays 101
10:15 am – 12:00 pm
PPCUG – GEV Mark VIe Turbine and Plant Control Experienced 301: Fundamentals of Maintenance & Troubleshooting
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
STUG – EPRI Resources
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Prize Drawing
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm
STUG – Introductions and Conference Overview
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm
CCUG – Welcome and Introduction
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
PPCUG – Optimizing Power Plant Performance: Digital Solutions and Advanced Process Control in Modern Energy Generation
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
GUG – From Four Decades of Field Diagnostics to Continuous Asset Health Analytics
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
LCPG – Icebreaker and Introductions
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm
CCUG – Safety Moment
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
STUG – Findings in the Field – Issues Seen from the Turbine Deck
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
CCUG – Flow-Accelerated Corrosion in HRSGs: Using a Targeted Approach to a Widespread Failure Mechanism
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
PPCUG – Applying Predictive Analytics to Day to Day Operations
1:45 pm – 2:30 pm
GUG – Comprehensive Offline Diagnostic Testing and Visual Inspections for High-Voltage Turbo Generators
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
CCUG – Managing Critical Spares and Inventory
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
STUG – Altura Cogen Steam Turbine Modernization
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
GUG – Rotor Turn to Turn Testing, High Accuracy Rotor Magnetization Screening
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
CCUG – Reducing Lost Run Time: Lessons from Major Generation Events
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
PPCUG – Evolution of GE 7F Exhaust Thermocouples
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Afternoon Break
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
CCUG – Evaluation & Corrective Actions Following Waterhammer in CRH Line
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm
STUG – Importance of FME
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
LCPG – Innovation Culture
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
GUG – Case Studies of the Generator Purge Package in Operation
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm
PPCUG – Introduction to Generator Protection
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm
STUG – GE Vernova D5 ARNOLD Group Warming & Insulation System Install & Benefits
3:45 pm – 4:15 pm
CCUG – GSU Best Practices
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
PPCUG – Controls TIL Implementation (+AP4 TIP and Inventory/ Control Panel Maintenance)
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
GUG -Generator Stator Cores – Testing, Inspection, Repairs and Issues
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
STUG – Steam Turbine Valves & Actuator Maintenance
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
CCUG – Artificial Intelligence 101
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
PPCUG – Day 1 Wrap Up / Feedback, Training Recommendations, etc.
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
STUG – Day 1 Wrap Up / Feedback, Q&A
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
CCUG – Day 1 Wrap Up / Feedback, Training Recommendations, Etc.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Optional Evening Event hosted by GE Vernova and ARNOLD Group at Cafe Ole on the Riverwalk
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Evening and Dinner on Your Own
08/25/2026
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast
7:00 am – 6:30 pm
Registration / Hospitality Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:00 am
Prize Drawing
8:00 am – 8:15 am
GUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:30 am
CCUG – Opening Remarks, Safety Moment and Bob Schwieger Individual Achievement Award
8:00 am – 8:30 am
STUG – Siemens Energy Steam Turbine Fleet Insights
8:00 am – 8:30 am
PPCUG – Intro and Kickoff: State of the Business (CIMPLICITY and Proficy Sale) & New Products
8:00 am – 9:15 am
LCPG – Speed to Power
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Vendor Fair Set-up: Exhibitors set-up
8:15 am – 8:45 am
GUG – Generator Failures Stator and Field
8:30 am – 9:00 am
STUG – What to Consider for End of Design Life Component Requalification
8:30 am – 9:00 am
PPCUG – Data Centers from a Controls Perspective
8:30 am – 9:30 am
CCUG – Catalyst Replacement Planning in the Age of Data Centers and Supply Chain Bottlenecks
8:45 am – 9:30 am
GUG – Case Study on GE LM6000 Partial Rewind
9:00 am – 9:30 am
STUG – Steam Turbine Modernization Applications on CCPPs including Replacement in Kind and Fleet Experience
9:00 am – 10:00 am
PPCUG – Overview of Heavy Duty Turbine Control – MBC, OpFlex
9:15 am – 10:00 am
LCPG – Mainspring Linear Generators Vendor Presentation
9:30 am – 10:00 am
STUG – Varnish in Circulating Oil Systems: Causes, Warning Signs, and Practical Mitigation Strategies
9:30 am – 10:00 am
CCUG – Reformulation of Fyrewash F2
9:30 am – 10:00 am
GUG – Generator Maintenance and Inspection Program
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break
10:15 am – 11:00 am
CCUG – Closing the Gaps Between Operational Knowledge, Processes, Training, and Qualification Through an Integrated Digital Platform
10:15 am – 11:00 am
STUG – Steam Turbine Casing Cracking Deep Dive
10:15 am – 11:15 am
PPCUG – Overview of Steam Turbine Controls – Capabilities You May not be Aware of
10:15 am – 11:15 am
GUG – Generator Stator Core Challenges and Considerations
10:15 am – 11:15 am
LCPG – Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
11:00 am – 11:30 am
STUG – Steam Turbine Rotor Life Assessment Fundamentals
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
CCUG – Navigating SCR Catalyst Issues & Replacement in a Long Lead Time Market
11:15 am – 11:45 am
GUG – High Voltage Bushings – Inspection, Testing, Manufacturing, & Failure Examples
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
LCPG – sCO2 Power Conversion for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Gas Turbine Bottoming Cycles
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
PPCUG – Considerations for Managing the Lifecycle of your Plant Control System
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
STUG – Steam Turbine Blading Damage, Repair, Replacement Case Studies
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
GUG – Q & A for Morning Session Presentations
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch / Vendor Fair
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
PPCUG – An Update on GE Vernova Fleet Controls Issues Since Last Year – TIL / ETC / PSB
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
STUG – Planning Best Practices for Steam Turbine Section Replacements and Uprate Projects
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
GUG – Closing the Gaps Between Operational Knowledge, Processes, Training, and Qualification Through an Integrated Digital Platform
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
CCUG – Valve and Seal Solutions for Combined Cycle Steam Turbines
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
LCPG – Nuclear Part I – Nuclear Lift Off: From Momentum to Deployment
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm
STUG – Operating with Abnormal Conditions in Steam Turbine
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
PPCUG – Advance Analytics: Smart Signal and Asset Performance Management
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
CCUG – High Voltage Bushings – Inspection, Testing, Manufacturing, & Failure Examples
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
GUG – Developing an Asset Management Program for Generators
3:00 pm – 3:15 pm
STUG – Users Roundtable
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Afternoon Break
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
CCUG – Serious Injury & Fatality Prevention – Utilizing Energy-Based Safety Principles
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
STUG – Valve and Seal Solutions for Combined Cycle Steam Turbines
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
GUG – GE 324 End-Winding Block Modifications and Siemens Stator Bar Insulation Cracking
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
LCPG – Nuclear Part 2 – From Fission to Fusion
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
PPCUG – Overview of the Various Remote Support Options Available from GE Vernova
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm
PPCUG – GE Vernova’s Control System of the Future
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
CCUG – Varnish in Circulating Oil Systems: Causes, Warning Signs, and Practical Mitigation Strategies
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
GUG – AeroPac I Fiber Optic Monitoring
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
STUG – Actuator Refurbishment & Controls Considerations for Steam Turbines
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
PPCUG – Using AI to Drive Better Decisions
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
CCUG – Day 2 Wrap Up. Feedback, Training Recommendations, etc
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
GUG – Q&A for Afternoon Session and Roundtable
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Vendor Fair (Open Bar and Networking)
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Vendor Fair Participation Prize Drawing
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Vendor Fair Tear Down & Ship Out
6:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Optional Evening Event with MD&A at Texas River Bar
6:45 pm – 10:00 pm
Evening on Your Own
08/26/2026
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast
7:00 am – 6:30 pm
Registration / Hospitality Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:00 am
Prize Drawing
8:00 am – 8:15 am
STUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:15 am
CCUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:15 am
GUG – Opening Remarks
8:00 am – 8:45 am
PPCUG – Developing and Applying Machine Learning Anomaly Detection to Your Turbine
8:00 am – 10:00 am
LCPG – Roundtable
8:00 am – 11:00 am
Vendor Fair Set-up: Exhibitors set-up
8:15 am – 8:30 am
CCUG – Safety Moment
8:15 am – 8:45 am
GUG – 7F Performance Uprates: Uncovering Additional Generator Capacity
8:15 am – 9:00 am
STUG – Intro & TILs/ Top Issues
8:30 am – 9:00 am
CCUG – Protecting the Shaftline: Managing Power Demands from AI Data Centers
8:45 am – 9:15 am
GUG – Protecting Your Generator Fleet: A Multi-Technology Approach to Continuous Condition Monitoring
8:45 am – 9:30 am
PPCUG – Evolution of NERC MOD-027-1…into NERC MOD-026-2
9:00 am – 9:30 am
CCUG – Aging Combined Cycle Steam Turbine Considerations
9:00 am – 9:30 am
STUG – GE Vernova Half Joint Stud and Nut Update: Overview of GEK122083
9:15 am – 10:00 am
GUG – Deep Dive into Field Vibration and Winding Integrity: Analyzing Drivers and Pathways to Resolution
9:30 am – 10:00 am
CCUG – Using AI to Drive Better Decisions
9:30 am – 10:00 am
PPCUG – Plant Assessments: Mitigating the Impact of Gas Turbine Upgrades on the Total Balance of Plant through DCS Optimization
9:30 am – 10:00 am
STUG – Understanding How Successful My Major Outage Was – Using Operation Data to Quantify Improvements
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break
10:15 am – 10:45 am
PPCUG – An Alternative / Replacement for OEM Model Based Control (MBC) Black Box Logic for 7FA
10:15 am – 10:45 am
STUG – GE Vernova MSCV Valve Challenges: Near Term, Medium Term, and Long Term Solutions
10:15 am – 10:45 am
LCPG – Geothermal
10:15 am – 11:00 am
CCUG – Balance of Plant (BOP) Assessments for Upgrades
10:15 am – 11:15 am
GUG – Digging Deeper: Unearthing Root Causes and Top Technical Insights (RCAs/TILs/ ER) Impacting the Fleet
10:45 am – 11:15 am
STUG – ASP and NGV Experience Update
10:45 am – 11:15 am
PPCUG – From Reactive to Proactive: How Remote Monitoring Prevents Failures, Avoids Trips, and Improves Combined Cycle Output
10:45 am – 11:15 am
LCPG – Low Carbon Strategies For Natural Gas Generation: Carbon Capture
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
CCUG – Outage Planning & Execution
11:15 am – 11:45 am
STUG – Sourcing & Repair Shop Network
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
GUG – H65 Generators: Design Enhancements, Capabilities and Operation
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
PPCUG – Case Studies of the Generator Purge Package in Operation
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
LCPG – Latest Review of Carbon Capture of Ongoing and Upcoming Projects with a Deep Dive on CCS Economics
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
STUG – Morning Q&A with GE Vernova
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lunch / Vendor Fair
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
GUG – Introduction & Fleet Major Findings
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
LCPG – Low Carbon Strategies For Natural Gas Generation: Alternative Fuels
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
STUG – Legacy Alstom Outage Considerations
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
CCUG/PPCUG – Co-Optimizing Combined Cycle Power Plant Operations with the Use of Advanced Models and Artificial Intelligence
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm
GUG – Pro-active GVPI Replacement Plans?
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
LCPG – Integrated Pyrolysis Combined Cycle: De-carbonization of Power Generation with Additional Benefits
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
GUG – Maintenance Outage Testing Considerations for Inner-cooled Units
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
CCUG/PPCUG – Identifying and Managing Hydraulic System Issues
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
STUG – Rotor Bow: Causes, Diagnosis, Mitigations
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Afternoon Break
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
STUG – ST101: Key Documents in your ST O&M Manual
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
LCPG – Southwest Research Institute Information and Pre-tour
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
GUG -Collector Ring Design and Maintenance
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
PPCUG – Valve Right-Sizing and Advanced Control Logic Extend Life of Boiler Feedpump Protection Valves
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
CCUG – What to Consider for End of Design Life Component Requalification
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
GUG – Generator Operating Principles
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
STUG – Aging Unit Considerations
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LCPG – Closeout Session and Feedback
4:15 pm – 4:45 pm
GUG – Pro-active GVPI Replacement Plans – Maintenance and Testing Procedures for Rotating Excitation Systems
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
PPCUG – Achieving Reliable Level Measurement in Steam Drums
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
CCUG – Strategies to Achieve and Demonstrate Power Plant Resilience from Day 1
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
STUG – Closing Q&A with GE Vernova
4:45 pm – 5:00 pm
GUG – Siemens Energy Roundtable
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Vendor Fair (Open Bar and Networking)
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Vendor Fair Participation Prize Drawing
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Vendor Fair Tear Down & Ship Out
6:45 pm – 10:00 pm
Evening on Your Own
08/27/2026
7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast
7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Registration / Hospitality Desk Open
8:00 am – 8:00 am
Prize Drawing
8:00 am – 8:30 am
CCUG/PPCUG/STUG/GUG/LCPG – San Antonio Power Generation Market
8:30 am – 8:45 am
STUG -Transition
8:30 am – 8:45 am
CCUG/PPCUG – Transition to CCUG and PPCUG Combined Session
8:30 am – 9:00 am
GUG – Recent Issues with H2 Cooled Generator
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
LCPG – Optional Southwest Research Institute Tour
8:45 am – 9:00 am
CCUG/PPCUG – Safety Moment
8:45 am – 9:15 am
STUG – Steam Turbine Engineer Resources
9:00 am – 9:30 am
GUG – Vibration Sparking/Spark Erosion – Detectable Online?
9:00 am – 9:30 am
CCUG/PPCUG – Test First. Teach Second (Why Quizzes Build Better Plant Operators Than Lectures Ever Will)
9:15 am – 9:45 am
STUG – D11 Electrolysis
9:30 am – 10:00 am
GUG – Aeropac 1 Generator Ground Fault Investigation and Recovery
9:30 am – 10:00 am
CCUG/PPCUG – AI Use Cases in Power Plants
9:45 am – 10:00 am
STUG – Users Roundtable
10:00 am – 10:15 am
Morning Break
10:15 am – 10:45 am
GUG – Stator Rewind Due to High El-CID Readings
10:15 am – 10:45 am
CCUG – Near Miss and LOTO Lessons Learned
10:15 am – 11:00 am
PPCUG – Executing an ABB to GE Mark VIe DCS Controls Retrofit
10:15 am – 11:15 am
STUG – GE D11 HPIP Retrofit Considerations
10:45 am – 11:15 am
STUG – HPIP Bearing Vibration Issues
10:45 am – 11:15 am
GUG – Stator Ground Fault Analysis
10:45 am – 11:45 am
CCUG – Extreme Weather Lessons Learned
11:00 am – 11:45 am
PPCUG – Understanding Combustion Dynamics on GE Gas Turbines
11:15 am – 11:45 am
GUG – Case Study on Westinghouse Modular Unit Rewind
11:15 am – 11:45 am
STUG – The Bad and the Ugly – Last Stage LP
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
PPCUG – Closing Remarks
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
STUG – Q&A and Closing Remarks
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
GUG – Q&A and Closing Remarks
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
CCUG – Closing Remarks
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
MD&A – San Antonio Service Center Tour
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