Control of power generation system during online maintenance using multiple maintenance modes

A program product stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for controlling a power generation system during on-line maintenance, the computer readable storage medium comprising program code for causing a computer system to perform actions including:

• modeling the power generation system in a first maintenance mode and a second maintenance mode;
• operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode,
• wherein the operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode causes a controller of the power generation system to programmatically disable an automated response to at least one operational fault of the power generation system,
• wherein modeling the power generation system determines the automated response to the at least one operational fault of the power generation system;
• calculating an elapsed time of operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode, wherein calculating the elapsed time includes accumulating time from previous instances of operating in the first maintenance mode;
• monitoring a risk parameter of the power generation system or at least one sensor within the power generation system while operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode;
• and
• operating the power generation system in the second maintenance mode in response to detecting the elapsed time in the first maintenance mode exceeding a time limit, or the monitored risk parameter exceeding a safety threshold,
• wherein operating the power generation system in the second maintenance mode causes the controller of the power generation system to programmatically enable the automated response to the at least one operational fault of the power generation system,
• wherein modeling the power generation system determines the time limit of the elapsed time and the safety threshold of the monitored risk parameter.

A system comprising:

• a power generation system configured to operate in an on-line maintenance setting;
• a system controller in communication with the power generation system, the system controller being configured to perform actions during operation of the power generation system in the on-line maintenance setting, the actions including:
• model the power generation system in a first maintenance mode and a second maintenance mode;
• operate the power generation system in the first maintenance mode,
• wherein the operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode causes a controller of the power generation system to programmatically disable an automated response to at least one operational fault of the power generation system,
• wherein modeling the power generation system determines the automated response to the at least one operational fault of the power generation system;
• calculate an elapsed time of operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode, wherein calculating the elapsed time includes accumulating time from previous instances of operating in the first maintenance mode;
• monitor a risk parameter of the power generation system or at least one sensor within the power generation system while operating the power generation system in the first maintenance mode;
• and
• operate the power generation system in the second maintenance mode in response to detecting the elapsed time in the first maintenance mode exceeding a time limit, or the monitored risk parameter exceeding a safety threshold,
• wherein operating the power generation system in the second maintenance mode causes the controller of the power generation system to programmatically enable the automated response to the at least one operational fault of the power generation system,
• wherein modeling the power generation system determines the time limit of the elapsed time and the safety threshold of the monitored risk parameter.