GSE Supports the Largest Producer of Carbon-free Energy with Expert Training Since the 1990s

OVERVIEW

This utility currently runs 13 nuclear power plants and is the largest producer of carbon-free energy in the United States. Over the years, the utility has changed many names, but GSE has been there. GSE built and implemented high-fidelity simulators for three of their generating stations in the 1990s and provided engineering services for the fleet of stations. GSE’s Engineering, Programs and Performance team has been a Specialty Engineer of Choice (SEOC) since 2017.

CHALLENGE

Like other utilities, this utility has struggled to keep up with the market conditions and use partners to increase growth and stay ahead of the competition. Since the beginning, GSE has been there to lean on for expertise. The customer currently outsources experts to train staff or tackle larger projects such as a main control room modernization project.

SOLUTIONS

Procedure Staffing and Support – This utility recently awarded $15 million to GSE to support the digital transformation of four major safety systems requiring operations, maintenance procedures, and station training revisions for the modernization project requirements over the next three years.

• GSE will review and update all the procedures and training programs for one of their generating station’s two nuclear reactors.
• GSE was tasked with writing and modifying over 5,400 procedures and revising and creating approximately 2,800 lesson plans and test materials, including simulation training for the plant’s Operations and Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs).

Programs Engineering – GSE supports this customer by providing their team with a full range of In-Service Inspection (ISI) and In-Service Testing (IST) programmatic training and services to ensure they remain compliant with the latest approved edition addenda of the ASME OM and ASME Section XI Codes and associated regulatory requirements.

GSE is performing the regulatory required 10-year ISI and IST Updates for three stations. GSE is also providing additional support in ISI and IST staff augmenting, which plays a significant part in the integration with the program’s teams across the fleet and the value GSE provides.

Thermal Performance and DVR License & Maintenance – GSE has implemented and continues to support the entire Data Validation and Reconciliation (DVR) process for monitoring the thermal performance of the stations. This process has allowed the utility to recover more than 20 megawatts of carbon-free electrical output across the fleet of plants through power recovery. In addition, implementing the uprate process to increase the output of the plants greater than current license limits is underway, providing a lower-cost alternative for increasing the stations’ output while providing a significant return on investment.

Balance of Plant (BOP) Services – GSE’s BOP programs include a team of industry experts focused 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 Steam/Feedwater, Corrosion, and Low-Pressure Heater Assessments.