EDF Energy Research Articles

Design and build of IP-2 transport packaging for AGR gas circulator

In early 1993, Nuclear Electric (now EDF Energy Nuclear Generation) required a large ISO freight based container to transfer advanced gas cooled reactor gas circulators between sites to maximise generation and enable spare circulators to be serviced and exchanged between stations. The Gas Circulator Transportation Module was manufactured and tested in 1994. It was certified as an IP-2 Package in July 1994 by Nuclear Electric, the certificate remaining valid until Safety Series 6 1985 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Transport Regulations were superseded. Onet Technologies UK Ltd was contracted in 2008 to investigate if this top loading Gas Circulator Transportation Module, Design No. (DN) 2042, could still be approved as an IP-2 Package in accordance with the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material to transport gas circulators between Hartlepool and Heysham 1 Power Stations. This investigation revealed that although the module was originally approved on the basis that it complies with ISO1496 requirements (since it is approved by Lloyds under their container certification scheme and it is leak tight), it was no longer acceptable for IP-2 approval due to UK policy changes in 2005 by the UK Competent Authority. This paper describes the specification, design and approval process and technical issues for the provision of a new 32 Te Gas Circulator Transport Package to the latest standards. It encompasses why a GC package is needed, the constraints imposed by handling and loading at the EDFE-NG AGR sites, the radiological aspects and classification as an IP-2 package, a brief description of a gas circulator, the initial concept, how risks were mitigated by trials and the results changes required post-trials, the final concept and as built module and experiences during the first move.

Eco‐schooling and sustainability citizenship: exploring issues raised by corporate sponsorship

Eco‐Schools, run by the charity Keep Britain Tidy and sponsored by the corporations ASDAN, EDF Energy, HSBC, and Homebase, are now the major vehicle for education for sustainable development in English schools. This article examines the ways in which corporations shape policy on sustainable development and education and goes on to suggest that corporate sponsorship may be limiting the potential of eco‐schooling to develop sustainability citizenship. It draws on Fielding and Moss%s advocacy of radical education, Dobson%s understanding of sustainability citizenship, and Hayward%s typology of environmental citizenship education, to recommend a more politically realistic approach to eco‐schooling. Lessons from the Eco‐Schools website and from The Pod are examined and revisions suggested to reflect this approach.

Gloves Off in British Energy Battles

Last year, the British chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, announced that a "dash for gas" was the solution to British energy needs. In late October, twenty-one activists calling themselves "No Dash for Gas" scrambled up a power station to hold a sit-in three hundred feet up in the sky. The targeted plant, West Burton, a combined cycle gas turbine under construction in Nottinghamshire, is owned by the British energy provider EDF Energy (subsidiary of the French energy giant Électricité de France, the world's largest producer of energy). It is one of the first of twenty new gas-fired power stations planned to be built in the United Kingdom by 2030. At full capacity, it will emit approximately 4.5 million tons of CO2 annually, more than the annual emissions of Paraguay. Like many new gas stations, it will be exempt from British emissions regulations.

Modelling the manufacturing history, through life creep-fatigue damage and limiting defect sizes of a pipework joint using finite element based methods

The work reported in this paper describes a simulation of the manufacture, through-life operation and limiting defect size assessment of a pipework joint in a nuclear powerplant boiler. The objective of this work is to understand the critical factors that influence the integrity of the joint in-service and support accurate predictions of service life. This work differs from typical structural integrity assessments in that advanced modelling techniques have been used throughout the assessment process and include detailed simulations of the manufacturing process, a simulation of the entire in-service operating history including predictions of creep-fatigue damage and cracked body analysis to determine limiting defect sizes.Residual stresses resulting from the manufacturing process can be a key driver for creep and creep-fatigue damage. The calculation of creep-fatigue damage for assessment purposes is typically undertaken within the framework of an appropriate assessment code, such as EDF Energy's R5. The standard assessment approach usually requires calculation of stresses using elastic finite element analysis followed by hand calculations to calculate the damage.A combination of explicit and implicit finite element methods are employed to simulate a range of manufacturing processes which influence the in-service structural integrity of a branched pipework joint. Where available, test data have been compared to the results to assess the validity of the simulation. The simulation results then feed into a finite element based structural integrity assessment. The methods follow the principles outlined in the EDF Energy R5 assessment code but use the inelastic strains calculated directly from analysis. The methods are based around the general purpose finite element code Abaqus.The residual stresses generated during manufacture may adversely affect the critical defect sizes for the pipework joint. However, the complex geometry and loading complicate the assessment of the cracked body. Therefore, a finite element analysis representing the cracked body has been carried out on the pipework joint to evaluate the J-integrals at the locations of interest and hence calculate the critical defect sizes. The analysis considers the residual stresses determined from the finite element analysis of the manufacturing processes.

EDF Energy selects Hardide coating for nuclear plant valve application

EDF Energy selects Hardide coating for nuclear plant valve application

Water usage optimisation at Hinkley Point B nuclear power station

EDF Energy is committed to continually striving towards being as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible across its fleet of nuclear power stations. One of the key targets at Hinkley Point B (HPB) power station in Somerset is to reduce water consumption. Even though the station has been operating for 40+ years, modern technologies are continually embraced to improve the station's performance. Examples of technologies not commonly associated with older nuclear power stations are ultra-sonic flow measurements, which allow us to monitor our overall water consumption through the main HPB station inlets whilst also having the flexibility to be used in smaller applications, such as monitoring the health/performance of various plant systems and identifying losses or even leaks. Through specific sub systems detailed analysis, the station looks to continually reduce our environmental impact by reducing water consumption across the site. With the use of ultrasonic flow meters in different applications across the station, coupled with the identification of possible areas for improvement and further implementation, it is hoped to be able to significantly reduce losses for specific plant items.

Evaluating the benefits of an electrical energy storage system in a future smart grid

Interest in electrical energy storage systems is increasing as the opportunities for their application become more compelling in an industry with a back-drop of ageing assets, increasing distributed generation and a desire to transform networks into Smart Grids. A field trial of an energy storage system designed and built by ABB is taking place on a section of 11 kV distribution network operated by EDF Energy Networks in Great Britain. This paper reports on the findings from simulation software developed at Durham University that evaluates the benefits brought by operating an energy storage system in response to multiple events on multiple networks. The tool manages the allocation of a finite energy resource to achieve the most beneficial shared operation across two adjacent areas of distribution network. Simulations account for the key energy storage system parameters of capacity and power rating. Results for events requiring voltage control and power flow management show how the choice of operating strategy influences the benefits achieved. The wider implications of these results are discussed to provide an assessment of the role of electrical energy storage systems in future Smart Grids.

The Dramatic Implications of Demir and Baykara

This article discusses the significance of the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Demir and Baykara v Turkey, which reversed earlier jurisprudence to hold (i) that the right to collective bargaining is ‘an essential element’ of the right to freedom of association in Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) and (ii) embedded the jurisprudence of the International Labour Organisation and the European Social Charter into that right. The authors examine the ECtHR's extension of the Demir and Baykara principle to include collective action and review the Strasbourg court's jurisprudence generally on the right to strike. Full consideration is given to (i) the treatment of these developments by the English courts in Metrobus Ltd v UNITE the Union and EDF Energy Powerlink Ltd v RMT and (ii) their wider implications not only for British but also for European Union (EU) labour law. The authors consider the apparent collision between the trade union rights established under the ECHR in Demir and Baykara and the trade union liabilities introduced under EU law by the Viking and Laval judgments of the European Court of Justice, taking into account some significant issues that arose in the BALPA v British Airways litigation in 2008.

Green Britannia: Deconstructing ‘Team Green Britain’ and the London 2012 Olympic Games

The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics Games will be the 'greenest' games in history according to the British Government. Since the Sydney games (2000) there is increasingly a conflating between sports and environmentalism. Indeed, a key factor in London's securing of the 2012 games was sustainable development and a green legacy; as it promises to addressing climate change, waste, biodiversity, inclusion and healthy living (LOCO website). This sports/environmental discourse also extends to key corporate partnership of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics games. Today sponsors are reconstructing – or at least representing themselves as ecological. Major sponsors EDF Energy have combined sports and environmentalism to create 'Team Green Britain'. EDF Energy aims to raise awareness of climate change through sports and music events. 'Team Green Britain' applies a sports narrative to environmental discourse. Their logo, a 'green' union jack flag implies both the sense of nationalism associated with mega-events such as the Olympics, and adds an environmental vernacular to its' image. Yet, the green union jack is also the logo of 'Ecotricity' an energy company which invests in renewable sources. Indeed, Ecotricity have two wind turbines close to the Olympic site in Stratford. This form of 'green washing' has been leveled at the Sydney games (Beder 2000) and potentially could impact on London 2012. This paper will deconstruct how sports narratives, such as nationalism, patriotism, social and cultural success, combined with environmental rhetoric represent 'Green Britannia'; and ask if 2012 can truly be the 'greenest games in history'.

EDF Energy harnesses the power of leadership development

PurposeThis paper aims to examine two management‐development programs at EDF Energy – the 4Is program for directors and senior and middle managers, and Turning up the Volts, for team managers in the customers' branch retention and acquisition department.Design/methodology/approachInvestigates what gave rise to the training programs, how they were delivered and the results they have achieved.FindingsReveals that the 4Is program has improved leadership behaviors across the company, measured through “before and after” 360‐degree assessments on impact, involvement, inspiration and integrity. Turning up the Volts, meanwhile, has led to more internal candidates applying for team‐management internal vacancies, an increase in staff satisfaction from 33 percent to 72 percent in six months, a decrease in staff turnover to 11 percent from 17 percent, and a fall in team‐manager turnover to 3 percent from 16 percent.Practical implicationsDemonstrates that both programs brought about real culture change and performance improvement.Originality/valueHighlights two leadership‐development programs that have had concrete results. The 4Is program, for example, cost less than £1,000 per person and achieved average savings of more than £3,300 per person, per year. A skills audit revealed that Turning up the Volts helped to bring about a 27.4 percent increase of competence for 12 competencies, after only six months.

EDF Energy sparks better performance through management development

EDF Energy sparks better performance through management development

Contrasting uses of balanced scorecards: case studies at two UK companies

Abstract This article considers two contrasting applications of the balanced scorecard, at EDF Energy and Tesco, where the scorecard is called a steering wheel. A distinction is drawn between a strategic scorecard based on vision and a performance management scorecard based on mission and values. This difference makes the associated balanced scorecards useful to management in different ways. Our model demonstrates how different balanced scorecard approaches can complement each other for effective strategic management. This conceptualization is consistent with a perceived general tendency for large multinationals to use values to strategically manage from the center organization‐wide core competences. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Performance management at EDF Energy: ambition into action

Purpose – Survey research suggests that 85 per cent of companies world‐wide have performance management systems. Of that number, many adopt such systems with the ultimate objective of increasing productivity and profitability. The purpose of this paper is to show how EDF Energy decided to adapt existing theory to create an in‐house version of the balanced scorecard, with the objective of creating and sustaining a continuous improvement culture.Design/methodology/approach – This paper outlines the integration of fundamental principles of performance management systems in the context of a large UK energy company. It highlights good practices in the design, alignment, implementation and communication of such systems.Findings – The key findings of this paper are the importance of the use of goal‐setting theories, particularly in the design and alignment of company ambitions and objectives. In doing so, value‐mapping provides the mechanism to align individual performance with company strategy. This case also h...

The influence of morphology and distribution of α phase on the properties of polycrystalline CuZnAl shape memory alloy: Liu, W.G., Zhu, M., Yang, D.S. and Wang, Z.G. Metall. Trans. A Oct. 1992 23A, (10), 2939–2941

The work reported in this paper describes a simulation of the manufacture, through-life operation and limiting defect size assessment of a pipework joint in a nuclear powerplant boiler. The objective of this work is to understand the critical factors that influence the integrity of the joint in-service and support accurate predictions of service life. This work differs from typical structural integrity assessments in that advanced modelling techniques have been used throughout the assessment process and include detailed simulations of the manufacturing process, a simulation of the entire in-service operating history including predictions of creep-fatigue damage and cracked body analysis to determine limiting defect sizes.Residual stresses resulting from the manufacturing process can be a key driver for creep and creep-fatigue damage. The calculation of creep-fatigue damage for assessment purposes is typically undertaken within the framework of an appropriate assessment code, such as EDF Energy's R5. The standard assessment approach usually requires calculation of stresses using elastic finite element analysis followed by hand calculations to calculate the damage.A combination of explicit and implicit finite element methods are employed to simulate a range of manufacturing processes which influence the in-service structural integrity of a branched pipework joint. Where available, test data have been compared to the results to assess the validity of the simulation. The simulation results then feed into a finite element based structural integrity assessment. The methods follow the principles outlined in the EDF Energy R5 assessment code but use the inelastic strains calculated directly from analysis. The methods are based around the general purpose finite element code Abaqus.The residual stresses generated during manufacture may adversely affect the critical defect sizes for the pipework joint. However, the complex geometry and loading complicate the assessment of the cracked body. Therefore, a finite element analysis representing the cracked body has been carried out on the pipework joint to evaluate the J-integrals at the locations of interest and hence calculate the critical defect sizes. The analysis considers the residual stresses determined from the finite element analysis of the manufacturing processes.