GTTSi’s Post

Did you know that I LOVE NUCLEAR ENERGY signs have been popping up all over...COLLEGE FOOTBALL TAILGATE Parties? Or were you wondering whatever happened with Yucca Mountain, once designated to be the United States ' primary storage for long-term nuclear waste disposal? To read about that and more, check out the October GTTSi Industry Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gq7m2uYb #energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables #netzero #zerocarbon #hydrogenfuel 

THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY-October 2024, by Sid Crouch, GTTSi Chief Technical Consultant FORCED OUTAGES ARE ON THE RISE? Have you noticed the increase in “forced outages”? According to the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) the Weighted Equivalent Forced Outages Rate (WEFOR) for conventional generation resources - coal, hydro, natural gas, wind, solar, and IBR (Inverter-Based Resources) is well above the 10.2% long-term average. Nuclear is the only generation resource below the long-term WEFOR. NERC believes the higher level of forced outages for coal-fired power plants could be linked to reduced and deferred maintenance, the increase in cycling of these plants to accommodate variable energy resources, and one unexpected result – that WEFOR increased dramatically when the coal-fired plant’s capacity factor fell below 60%. Hydro and Natural Gas units also experienced a higher WEFOR. This too, could be linked to reduced and deferred maintenance and the increase in cycling of these plants to accommodate variable energy resources. Wind and solar also saw an increase in their WEFOR; however, it’s difficult to calculate because they are such a variable resource. NERC plans to do more in-depth analysis as data for these generation resources is limited. Although WEFOR for IBRs improved by 40%, they are still above the long-term WEFOR of 10.2%. IBRs quickly disconnect from the system due to over-current, over-voltage, or frequency instability, where other types of conventional generation use the inertia in the spinning turbine blades to stay connected to the system and ride out the disturbance. Utilities continue to work with the IBR manufacturers to improve their ride out or ride-through capabilities. #energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables #netzero #zerocarbon #hydrogenfuel

We at GTTSi are sending thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the devastation of Helene. The photo below shows that nothing remains of a main road in Chimney Rock, NC where several businesses once stood, and this situation exists in so many places and states hit by the hurricane. We know that many of our team members have experienced heartbreaking loss. We are thinking of all of you. #helene #hurricanehelene #disaster #flood #americanredcross

HUMAN PERFORMANCE...and we don't mean steroids When we hear the phrase "human performance", some may think of performance-enhancing drugs such as those taken by athletes to boost their strength and add muscle. But when we say "Human Performance", we are talking about human performance safety. Human performance safety refers to the study and management of how human factors, such as behavior, decision-making, physical abilities, and limitations, impact safety within various environments, particularly in industries like construction, manufacturing, aviation, healthcare, and energy. The focus is on understanding and improving human performance to prevent accidents, reduce errors, and promote a safer working environment. Key concepts in human performance safety include: Human error: Understanding that errors are often systemic and can be mitigated by designing safer processes, better training, and improving environmental factors. Situational awareness: Helping individuals recognize and respond to changes in their environment, which can affect their ability to make safe decisions. Workload and fatigue management: Ensuring individuals are not overloaded and are adequately rested, as fatigue can impair judgment and reaction times. Safety culture: Promoting a workplace culture where safety is prioritized, and employees feel empowered to report unsafe conditions or behaviors. Ergonomics: Designing tools, equipment, and processes that fit the physical capabilities and limitations of workers to reduce strain, injury, and errors.  By addressing these human factors, organizations can create environments that promote safety, reduce risk, and ensure workers can perform their tasks effectively and efficiently. Industries are starting to realize that to have and sustain a good safety program, you have to focus on Human Performance to change and sustain the culture change. The biggest challenge is getting Human Performance down to the working level (craft) without all the theory and convoluted concepts that in many cases do not actually prevent errors. GTTSi provides Human Performance services through assessment, consultation, lecture, and training with classroom and field interaction – tailored to the customer needs. Focused on both management and the worker, and the importance of the interdependence between PREVENTION, DETECTION, and CORRECTION of Human Errors within the workplace, provides a cohesive solution for the customer.  If you would like to know about how Human Performance will benefit your company’s safety, please contact us at ginfo@gttsi.com #humanperformance #safety ##energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables 

THE AUSTRALIA-ASIA POWERLINK The Australia-Asia PowerLink is an ambitious renewable energy project aimed at connecting Australia and Asia through a network of solar energy generation and transmission. The plan involves constructing a massive solar farm in the Northern Territory, which would harness solar energy and convert it into electricity. This electricity would then be transmitted via high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables to Singapore and potentially other Asian markets. The project is designed to support the transition to renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a reliable power source for energy-hungry regions. If successful, it could significantly enhance energy security and promote economic ties between Australia and its Asian neighbors. The initiative also underscores the growing interest in using Australia’s vast solar resources to meet the energy demands of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Now the project has been approved by the Australian government. The Australian-Asia PowerLink is set to deploy 17GW to 20GW (gigawatts) of solar capacity with 36.42GWh to 42GWh (gigawatt hours) of battery energy storage and connect Australia’s Northern Territory with Singapore via a 4,300 km long 2GW HVDC (high voltage direct current) sub-sea cable. For perspective, the distance from New York City, New York to Los Angelos, California is about 4,000 km. When completed, it will be the world's largest renewable energy and battery storage facility and capable of supplying 15% of Singapore’s total electric needs. The project aims to deliver up to 4GW of green electricity to Darwin’s green industrial customers over two stages of development. 900MW will be provided in stage one and approximately 3GW in stage two. 1.75GW will also be supplied to customers in Singapore. The project anticipates providing electricity in the early 2030s. Sun Cable said the project has been assessed and approved by Tanya Plibersek, the commonwealth’s minister for Environment and Water, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This approval follows the previous approval from the NT (Northern Territory) government and the NT Environment Protection Authority for the interconnector. Indonesia authorities approved the AA PowerLink Project 2021. Sun Cable’s Australian managing director, Cameron Garnsworthy said the approval was a landmark achievement in the projects journey. #energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables #netzero #zerocarbon #hydrogenfuel 

Johnathan Parks summarizes Nuclear Exam Writers. We hear that they may confine you in a room with no external internet access until the exam is done, just to be as secure as possible. Any exam writers out there want to comment with their experience? #nuclearexam #sro #nucleartraining #loit #gfe

TARGETING POWER SUBSTATIONS IS RUSSIA'S NEW TACTIC TO WIN THE WAR WITH UKRAINE. #energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables https://lnkd.in/er3DmPhx

ORANO USA INVESTNG BILLIONS IN TENNESSEE FOR NUCLEAR FUEL Global competition is heating up in the development of next-generation nuclear power, with countries like China and Russia advancing their own designs and seeking to use them to bolster their economic influence. Following the successful startup of Vogtle Units 3 & 4, the U.S. has seen a resurgence of interest in reasserting itself as a leader in nuclear power, aiming to regain the prominence it once held decades ago. These new nuclear plants will require specialized fuel, and currently, only two U.S. companies, Centrus and Urenco, produce it. In a significant move, Orano USA—a subsidiary of the French nuclear fuel supply leader Orano—has announced a multi-billion-dollar investment to build a centrifuge uranium enrichment facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This announcement was made at the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center, located near a 920-acre plot of land that the U.S. Department of Energy plans to donate to the city and subsequently transfer to Orano USA at no cost. Orano USA is in the process of applying for a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with production expected to start in the early 2030s. The facility is anticipated to create 305 direct jobs, focusing on producing low-enriched nuclear fuel for commercial power operations, not for weapons. Orano had previously intended to build a similar facility in Idaho but abandoned the project following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which led to a downturn in the market. #energyindustry #powergeneration #nuclearenergy #nuclearpower #renewableenergy #renewables #netzero #zerocarbon #hydrogenfuel