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Hawkins was pleased to present at the IMechE Steam Turbine and Generator User Group 2026, with technical presentations from Ben Adams and Ben Lister addressing key challenges in generator integrity and power system resilience.
Ben Adams, Principal Associate and Head of Power & Energy, delivered a detailed technical presentation on generator Stator Core Faults, a persistent yet often under‑recognised risk to the reliability of large power generators. Drawing on decades of industry experience, Ben explored the mechanisms behind stator core degradation, including insulation breakdown, lamination damage, burrs and debris, and the effects of axial flux and over‑fluxing.
Using historical failures from the former Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) fleet, alongside recent case investigations, Ben demonstrated how similar failure modes continue to occur today. His presentation included examples of core‑end heating, slot‑bottom faults and burr‑related damage, reinforcing the ongoing relevance of established condition‑assessment techniques. Ben highlighted that Electromagnetic Core Imperfection Detection (ElCID) and flux testing remain essential tools for monitoring core integrity, and emphasised the importance of clean construction and rigorous maintenance practices in preventing long‑term degradation.
Also presenting was Ben Lister, Electrical Engineer, who contributed to the Industry Trends session. Ben delivered an analysis of several high‑profile power cuts and what they reveal about modern electricity systems. His presentation explored how major outages develop, drawing on detailed technical reports and real‑world incident data.
Ben discussed the fundamentals of grid stability, including the interaction between frequency, inertia, reactive power and voltage control, before examining lessons from events such as the 2019 UK grid disturbance, the 2025 Iberian blackout, and the Heathrow Airport outage. He highlighted how system oscillations, protection behaviour, ageing assets and maintenance challenges can rapidly escalate into widespread disruption. Ben also considered the implications for asset resilience, operational preparedness and systemic risk, particularly from an insurance and risk‑management perspective.
Together, the sessions provided complementary insights, spanning both machine‑level vulnerabilities and system‑wide challenges, reinforcing the importance of robust engineering, informed operation and proactive maintenance in an increasingly complex energy landscape.
If you would like our power and energy experts to investigate a case or present to your organisation, please contact us. Â
