Owners Engineer Services
Protecting Your Interests from Concept to Commissioning
In today’s complex industrial landscape, executing large-scale projects—whether in Thermal Power, Green Hydrogen, or Sugar Distilleries—requires more than just capital. It requires strict technical vigilance. As your Owner’s Engineer, Avant-Garde Systems and Controls serves as your independent technical advocate, ensuring that your project is built to the highest quality standards, on time, and within budget.
We act as an extension of the Owner’s team, bridging the critical gap between your investment goals and the EPC Contractor’s execution. While the EPC contractor focuses on their profit margins, our sole mandate is to protect your assets, verify technical compliance, and mitigate risks before they become costly liabilities.
The Difference: Owner’s Engineer vs. Project Management Consultant (PMC)
Many clients ask, “Why do I need an Owner’s Engineer if I have a Project Manager?”
- Project Management Consultants (PMC) typically focus on schedules, logistics, and administrative coordination.
- Owner’s Engineers (OE) provide deep technical authority. We don’t just track the timeline; we validate the integrity of the engineering. We review the heat mass balance diagrams, audit the electrical single-line diagrams, and witness the hydrostatic tests. We ensure the plant will actually perform as promised for the next 25 years.
Comprehensive Scope of Services
Our Owner’s Engineering framework is designed to cover the entire project lifecycle, ensuring “Zero Surprises” at the time of handover.
Phase 1: Pre-Project Planning & Feasibility
Before the first brick is laid, we ensure the project is technically sound and commercially viable.
- Techno-Economic Feasibility Reports (TEFR): We conduct rigorous analysis of site conditions, resource availability (water/fuel), and technology options to validate ROI.
- Technology Selection: For emerging sectors like Green Hydrogen or CBG, we help you choose the right technology (e.g., Alkaline vs. PEM Electrolyzers) based on lifecycle cost analysis, not just initial price.
- Tender Preparation & Bid Evaluation: We draft tight technical specifications for the EPC tender to prevent ambiguity. We then technically evaluate bidder proposals to ensure they aren’t cutting corners to win the contract.
Phase 2: Design Review & Engineering Audit
This is the most critical phase where 70% of cost savings are realized. We continually audit the EPC contractor’s work.
- Basic & Detailed Engineering Review: We critique P&IDs, Plant Layouts, and Civil Structural drawings to ensure compliance with international codes (ASME, IBR, IEC, ISO).
- Vendor Drawing Approval: We review critical vendor documents (Turbines, Boilers, Transformers) to ensure they match the main plant design, preventing “interface clashes” during construction.
- Value Engineering: Identifying opportunities to optimize design—reducing material costs without compromising safety or performance.
Phase 3: Procurement & Manufacturing Quality
A plant is only as good as its components. We ensure you get what you paid for.
- Vendor Prequalification: Assessing the manufacturing capability and financial health of sub-vendors.
- Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT): Our engineers visit vendor factories to witness performance tests of critical equipment (e.g., Boiler Pressure Parts, Switchgear) before dispatch.
- Expediting: Proactive monitoring of manufacturing schedules to prevent delivery delays that could derail the project timeline.
Phase 4: Construction Supervision & Site Management
Our site team acts as your eyes and ears on the ground.
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): Inspecting civil works (concreting, reinforcement) and mechanical erection (welding, alignment) to ensure zero defects.
- HSE Supervision: Rigorous monitoring of Health, Safety, and Environment protocols to ensure a zero-incident site.
- Non-Conformance Management: Immediately issuing NCRs (Non-Conformance Reports) if the contractor deviates from approved drawings and ensuring corrective action is taken.
Phase 5: Commissioning & Handover
The final hurdle. We ensure the plant performs to its guaranteed parameters.
- Pre-Commissioning Checks: Line walking, loop checking, and safety interlock verification.
- Performance Guarantee (PG) Test Witnessing: We independently verify that the plant meets its guaranteed Output, Heat Rate, and Auxiliary Power Consumption figures.
- Handover Documentation: Reviewing “As-Built” drawings and O&M manuals to ensure your operations team has everything they need.
Key Deliverables You Can Expect
When you hire Avant-Garde, you receive structured, data-backed reporting:
- Design Review Reports: Detailed comments on every drawing submitted by the EPC.
- Monthly Progress Reports (MPR): Comprehensive dashboard tracking S-Curves (Planned vs. Actual), financial progress, and critical path alerts.
- Inspection Release Notes: Certification that equipment is safe to ship to site.
- Performance Test Reports: Independent validation of the plant’s efficiency.
Why Industry Leaders Trust Avant-Garde
- 34+ Years of Multi-Sector Experience: From captive Power Plants and Sugar Complexes to cutting-edge Solar and Green Ammonia facilities, we have engineered it all.
- Lender’s Trusted Partner: Banks and financial institutions often mandate our involvement because our seal of approval guarantees the technical security of their loan.
- In-House Multi-Disciplinary Team: We don’t outsource. We have dedicated in-house experts for Process, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and C&I engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Owner’s Engineer replace the EPC Contractor?
No. The EPC contractor is responsible for building the plant. The Owner’s Engineer manages the EPC contractor. We are the “Check and Balance” system that ensures the contractor delivers exactly what was promised in the contract.
At what stage should I hire an Owner’s Engineer?
Ideally, during the Pre-Feasibility or Concept stage. Involving us early allows us to define the correct technical specifications in the tender, which prevents costly “Change Orders” and claims from contractors later in the project.
Can you handle Owner’s Engineering for Green Hydrogen projects?
Yes. Avant-Garde specializes in Owner’s Engineering for renewable energy, including Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia. We assist with electrolyzer technology selection, renewable power integration, and safety audits for high-pressure hydrogen systems.
Start Your Project Journey with Us
Safeguard Your Capital Investment Today
Contact Us:
- Email: agsc@avant-garde.co.in
- Phone: +91 44 4598 1200