Event’s Archive.

Join us for a blast from the past at the 90s Trivia Night hosted by the Arizona Section of the American Nuclear Society in collaboration with PVYGN! Immerse yourself in a night of nostalgia, fun, and friendly competition. The event is free, featuring a variety of appetizers and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. For those looking to enhance their experience, additional delicious food options and a fully stocked bar will be available for purchase.  We’re excited to reminisce and enjoy a fantastic time with you! See you there!

The ANS Arizona Local Section welcomes Rick Heath, Vice President Western Region Accounts for Framatome Inc, for our next speaker event on Wednesday September 6th.  Rick has held various roles with Framatome throughout his career, leading to a broad background in the fuel supply and reactor services functions for one of the country’s leading nuclear services company.  With the nuclear industries development of advanced reactors, small modular reactors, and accident tolerant fuel designs over the last decade, Framatome has been actively involved in each of these areas in various roles.  Join us as Rick shares his insights, experiences, and thoughts of how our industry will continue to evolve over the next decade.

Nuclear power is the primary solution to meeting CO2 reduction and climate change goals. Since most nuclear is far into the future, utilities are faced with extending the life of the existing light water reactor fleet to meet the future demand up to 80 years and beyond, while laying the groundwork for the next generation of nuclear power and fusion reactors. With the increasing pressure to be more efficicent and reliable, nuclear utilities are looking towards replacement of aging analog infrastructure and controls. These necessary upgrades are costly, so to realize the full ROI an integrated digital modernization strategy is needed (see full description on website). Come hear about key digital modernization initiatives that provide critical support for the long term sustainability or our operating fleet.

Advacements in shielding materials can overcome challenges in reactor design, spent fuel management, and plant operations. Now more than ever improved radiation shielding to reduce weight, volume and the levelized cost of electricity is critical to the commercial success of advance reactors and existing fleet. Dr. Castley explained how BECQ’s approach to shielding can achive such reduction in weight, volume, and cost with an approved ALARA design.

The Arizona Section of the American Nuclear Society offers activities to the Girls Scouts that meet the requirements to otain the “Get tot Know Nuclear Patch”. The focus is on learning about nuclear science and technology throught team work, with the flexibility of activities so scouts of all ages can Get to Know Nuclear!

Shorting the Grid, The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid is an exposé of the insider-ruled practices of the “deregulated” areas of the United States electric grid. The grid in these areas is managed by a regional transmission organization (RTO). Within these organizations, no group is responsible or accountable for grid reliability. The RTO areas have higher retail electricity prices, no way for ordinary citizens to influence decisions, and a more fragile grid. Using the rules and history of the New England grid as an example, the book shows how RTO areas are moving steadily to a future of “rolling blackouts” where the grid operator deliberately cuts power to one section of the grid after another.

Steve Nesbit founded LMNT Consulting in 2019 following a distinguished career with Duke Energy Corporation. LMNT Consulting supports clients on matters related to the nuclear fuel cycle, advanced nuclear energy systems, and nuclear nonproliferation.

Between 1996 and 2005, he led Duke Energy’s efforts related to the use of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel in its nuclear power reactors as a part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project to dispose of surplus plutonium from nuclear weapons. He also managed used nuclear fuel activities for Duke Energy. In addition to nuclear utility activities, during his career Steve worked on several DOE projects including the New Production Reactor Project, the Yucca Mountain Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal Project, and the Centralized Interim Storage Facility Project. He supported the U.S. Department of State on outreach to countries with developing nuclear power programs.

The development of nuclear power plants began in the 1940s. Since then, thousands of reactor options have been studied, dozens have been prototyped, and several have been successfully commercialized. This talk will provide a fast-paced overview of how the commercial reactors got where they are, how some reactors flopped, and why some of the most interesting concepts are enjoying a resurgence of interest today.