Megawatt increase potential in rewinding generators

As generators age and insulation deteriorates, rewinds of the rotor and stator are often needed to maintain reliability. With older generators, it is often possible to provide a significant uprating to the generator, increasing the overall generator output. Turbine driven generators typically can be uprated are on the order of 5 to 15%. In certain instances, significantly higher upratings are possible. Of course, the needed power must be available from the turbine, as well as other major equipment. However, even if the extra power is not available from the turbine, once uprated, the generator will run at a cooler temperature if it isn't operated at its peak capacity. This means a longer insulation life for the rotor and stator windings.