Our Story
Built From the Field Up
Kosonen Consulting was founded by a career Millwright who spent over two decades working across power generation — hydroelectric facilities, gas turbine plants, geothermal fields, and industrial turbomachinery — before transitioning to consulting.
Background
20+ Years Inside the Machines
Before founding Kosonen Consulting, the work was hands-on — inside turbine pits, alongside runners, working through outages and overhauls at hydroelectric facilities, gas turbine plants, and geothermal fields across California and the Pacific Northwest. Over two decades as a licensed Millwright meant learning these machines from the inside out: how they wear, how they fail, and what it actually takes to keep them running at peak efficiency.
The trade didn't start with an apprenticeship — it started at home. A 3rd generation Millwright, the craft was part of the family long before it became a career. That lineage brings a depth of intuition and respect for precision work that goes beyond what any training program can teach.
That experience spans a wide range of equipment — from Pelton and Francis hydro turbines to GE Frame 5, 6, and 7 gas turbines, ABB VAX units, Toshiba and Fuji geothermal turbines, and OEM Elliott steam turbines and centrifugal compressors. Hydroelectric is the specialty, but the breadth of that background is what sets this consulting practice apart.
The transition to consulting was a natural evolution — taking that deep technical knowledge and applying it at a strategic level for utility companies and energy operators who need a trusted advisor, not just another vendor.
Field Experience
Equipment Experience Across the Power Generation Industry
The expertise behind Kosonen Consulting spans far beyond hydroelectric. Over 20+ years, the work has covered gas turbines, geothermal generation, industrial compressors, new construction, and major overhauls — giving our clients a consultant with a uniquely broad perspective on rotating equipment.
Hydroelectric Turbines
- Pelton TurbinesHigh-head impulse turbines — bucket inspection, nozzle systems, runner balancing
- Francis TurbinesMixed-flow reaction turbines — runner rehab, wicket gate replacement, wear ring and facing plate installation
- Gilkes TurbinesNew construction of 3 units in Sitka, AK — Blue Lake Hydroelectric Expansion Project
Gas Turbines
- GE Frame 5Heavy-duty industrial gas turbine maintenance and overhaul
- GE Frame 6 (EA & FA)Both standard and advanced configurations — inspection, hot section, and major overhauls
- GE Frame 7 (EA & FA)Large-frame gas turbine service including combustion and turbine section work
- ABB VAX TurbinesUnits up to 250MW — maintenance, inspection, and overhaul support
Geothermal & Industrial
- Geothermal TurbinesField experience in the geothermal generation facilities of Northern California
- Elliott Steam TurbinesOEM factory training at Elliott's Jeannette, PA facility — certified hands-on instruction
- Elliott Centrifugal CompressorsOEM training on centrifugal compressor systems at the Elliott factory
Notable Projects
- Blue Lake Hydro Expansion — Sitka, AKNew construction of 3 Gilkes turbines for the Blue Lake Hydroelectric Expansion Project
- PG&E POE — Full Runner & Wicket Gate ChangeComplete runner replacement and wicket gate overhaul, including new wear ring and facing plate installation
- PG&E Gateway — Balance of PlantBalance of plant work supporting the Gateway generating facility
Technical Expertise
Deep Specialization in Two Turbine Types
Impulse / High-Head
Pelton Turbines
- Bucket geometry and wear pattern analysis
- Nozzle, needle valve, and deflector systems
- Runner balancing and vibration diagnostics
- Jet alignment and distribution optimization
- High-head installation performance assessment
Mixed-Flow / Medium & High-Head
Francis Turbines
- Runner condition and cavitation assessment
- Guide vane inspection and adjustment
- Draft tube evaluation and flow analysis
- Seal, labyrinth, and bearing diagnostics
- Efficiency testing and performance benchmarking
How We Work
Our Philosophy
Field First
Every recommendation comes from someone who has worked inside the machines — not just studied them. Hands-on experience shapes every assessment, every scope, every plan.
No Fluff
Utility operators and energy engineers don't need jargon or filler. You get direct, practical guidance grounded in what actually works in the field.
Long-Term Thinking
The goal isn't a one-time fix — it's building the kind of maintenance culture and asset strategy that keeps your facility running at peak efficiency for decades.
Trusted Partnership
Consulting works best when it's a genuine collaboration. Kosonen Consulting is a partner in your project, not just a vendor delivering a report.
Work With Us
Ready to Work With Someone Who's Been There?
If you need a consultant who understands your equipment at a field level — not just on paper — let's have a conversation about your facility.