GSE Supports Nuclear Plants with Engineering Solutions
OVERVIEW
This leading utility has made a name as a leading producer of clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and we approach each day as a vital step in building the future of energy. We’re always looking ahead, and our innovations in the industry—from new nuclear to the deployment of electric transportation and renewables—help brighten the lives and businesses of millions of customers nationwide.
CHALLENGE
Our customer understands that to grow; it must consider alternatives to support its fleet engineering services efforts. They engage several engineering organizations to support their nuclear fleet through Engineer of Choice (EOC) contracts. These organizations are embedded at the corporate and plant levels and maintain staff qualified to work on their procedures.
SOLUTIONS
Simulators and Upgrades – GSE has a long-standing relationship with this utility and three of its core power plants—which started with building simulators in 1982. Since then, GSE has delivered and commissioned three additional full-scope simulators for their new operations training centers. It finished in 2018, the US’s largest single nuclear simulator project in the past 30 years.
GSE has been contracted to upgrade and integrate the plant models with an advanced reactor control system to reflect the final “as built” design.
Training Programs – In 2023, GSE will work with this customer to provide instructor boot camps for their employees. For instructors, this certification is a key component of the qualifications and the confidence needed to teach others. It follows ANSI-ANS 3.1 1993 selection, qualification, and personnel training for nuclear power plants. It aims to provide SRO equivalency certifications to personnel not previously licensed or certified in a reactor plant.
In 2009, GSE conducted an Operator JumpStart training course. It included Generic Fundamentals, Fundamental Sciences for Operators, Plant Systems, Integrated Operations, Exam Prep Course (for new hires), and Nuclear Power Plant Familiarization Simulation Review.
Engineering Programs and Training – GSE continues to provide this customer with a full range of Inservice Inspection (ISI), Inservice Testing (IST) programmatic training and support services to ensure they comply with the latest approved regulatory requirements
- ISI Training and Support
- IST Training and Support
- Program Element Updates
- Appendix J Containment Lead Rate Testing Support
- Independent Third-Party Reviews
- ASME/OM Code Expertise—Maintaining Code Compliance
- Air-Operated Valve (AOV) and Motor-Operated Valve (MOV)Qualification of Mechanical Equipment (QME-1) Review sor Air-Op
Balance of Plant (BOP) Services – GSE has been working with this client since 2015 to help focus on supporting the efficient and effective implementation of BOP programs. Our team has worked with this customer over the years to perform several BOP services, such as the following:
- Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) Programs
- FAC Program Updates—”Road to Excellence”
- Safety First: Validating Piping Integrity
- Maintaining Sufficient FAC Experience and Expertise
- Steam/Feedwater Analysis (SFA) Corrosion Programs
- Low-Pressure Heater Assessments
- Scope Selection and Monitoring
- CHECWORKS™ SFA Modeling and Calibration