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Nuclear Industry QA Initiatives and Opportunities. ASQ Southern Jersey Section October 22, 2008 Dinner Meeting Tom Mudge URS Washington Division. Topics of Discussion. Nuclear Industry Background 1978 - Today Today’s Nuclear Industry Challenges Industry QA Initiatives
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Nuclear Industry QA Initiatives and Opportunities ASQ Southern Jersey Section October 22, 2008 Dinner Meeting Tom Mudge URS Washington Division
Topics of Discussion • Nuclear Industry Background 1978 - Today • Today’s Nuclear Industry Challenges • Industry QA Initiatives • Company Opportunities • QA Professional Opportunities
Nuclear Industry 1978 -2004 • 126 Nuclear Plants under Construction (2 Step Licensing Process) • Environmental Group Protests • 1979 - Three Mile Island Incident • Loss of Public Confidence • Changing NRC Licensing Requirements • Cost Overruns • 1986 - Chernobyl Incident • 1992 - Shoreham (built for a cost of $5.5 Billion) is sold for $1.00. Plant was fully decommissioned in 1994 never having operated. • No new plants ordered after 1980 and several under construction were cancelled.
Nuclear Industry -2004 • 104 operating plants in USA • No new nuclear plants had been ordered in past 20 years. • Industry workforce was aging and predominantly Operations based. • Limited number of nuclear experienced personnel in the design and construction • Insufficient number of qualified suppliers
Drivers for Industry Renaissance • Need for reliable economical energy source • Environmental concerns for Global warming • Change in Public’s perception of nuclear plants • Reliable performance of existing plants • Energy Act of 2005 • Loan guarantees • Incentives for first six plants to be built • 10CFR Part 52 (One step licensing process) • Standardized plant designs
10CFR Part 52 • One step licensing Process • Standard Design Certification (DCD) • Combined Operating License (COLA) • Early Site Permits (ESP) • Inspection, Test and Analysis and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC)
Standard Plant Designs • ABWR (Advanced Boiling Water Reactor) by GEH & Toshiba • AP-1000 (Advanced PWR) by Westinghouse • ESBWR (Economically Safe Boiling Water Reactor) by GEH • EPR (European Pressurized Water Reactor) by Areva • US APWR (Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor for US Deployment) by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Consortiums • ABWR - Toshiba & Fluor • AP-1000 - Westinghouse & Shaw Group • ESBWR - GEH & URS Washington Division • EPR - Unistar (Areva & Bechtel) • US APWR - MHI & URS Washington Division
Nuclear Plant Applications • 2007 - 5 COLAs • 2008 - 12 COLAs & 1 more anticipated • 2009 - 2 Anticipated • 2010 - 3 Anticipated • Total COLAs - 23 Total Units - 34
2006 - Industry Mobilizes • NEI - Nuclear Energy Institute • INPO - Institute of Nuclear Power Operations • EPRI - Electric Power Research Institute
NEI QA Initiatives • Template for QA Topical Reports • Lessons Learned Document (INPO) • Standard for PI&R Process (CAP) • Commercial Grade Dedication • Fraudulent / Counterfeit Items • Address Supplier Shortage • Develop New QA/QC Professionals • QA Role in ITAAC • SCWE
NEI Supplier Workshops • NEI conducts “pinch point” study • Three workshops conducted: • March- Columbia, SC • April - Cleveland, OH • June - Houston, TX • Approximately 200-300 suppliers attended each workshop • QA Program discussion and questions
Shortage of QA Professionals for Design and Construction • Existing workforce is predominantly Operations based • NEI study of nuclear workforce found that,of 64 work classifications, QC and QA had the highest percentage of personnel over 48 years of age, 78% and 76% respectively. • Approximately 4000 - 6000 new QA Professionals needed • 30 plants X 120 = 3600 at construction site & suppliers • 30 plants X 20 = 600 for utility oversight • 60 new suppliers = 300 for supplier QA/QC
Opportunities for QA Professionals • Consultants to assist new suppliers in developing and deploying their nuclear QA Program • Employment with nuclear companies: • Design & engineering • Construction • Suppliers of goods & services • Utilities