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Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

Some of world’s finest people doing one of world’s most important jobs

September 9, 2011 By Rod Adams 11 Comments

I’ll admit my bias – my father spent his whole career in the business of making electricity. I learned very early in life just how important that job is. Some of the unsung heroes that I have celebrated over the years include the linemen who restored our electricity nearly two weeks after Hurricane Hugo decimated our Charleston, SC neighborhood and the linemen who restored our power in Annapolis after Hurricane Isabel.

The below video of a turbine replacement at the Susquehanna nuclear power station includes shots of a number of those unsung heroes who go to work every day at the nations power plants. I hope you enjoy learning more about what kind of work they do and how carefully they do it.

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Filed Under: Reactors, Technical History Stories, Water Cooled Reactors

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About Rod Adams

Rod Adams is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience, now serving as a Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital, an emerging climate-focused fund. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial discussion and analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology and policies for several decades. He is the founder of Atomic Insights and host and producer of The Atomic Show Podcast.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJoel Riddle says

    September 9, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Annapolis and Hurricane Irene? Didn’t you move to Lynchburg, VA prior to that recent hurricane?

    Reply
  2. AvatarRod Adams says

    September 9, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Good point. It was another “I” hurricane – Isabel.

    Reply
  3. AvatarJason Kobos says

    September 9, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    So this thing they replaced is what Canada is having so much trouble shipping down the St. Lawrence?

    Doesn’t seem that dangerous to me, or the people standing next to it.

    Reply
    • AvatarDV82XL says

      September 9, 2011 at 4:25 PM

      Its the Bruce power plant steam generators that everyone is giving them grief over.

      Reply
  4. AvatarDavid Walters says

    September 9, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    This is a very valuable, albeit somewhat ‘dramitized’ (with the music and deep stern voice of the narrator) “How Things Work” documentary. I went through a lot of turbine overhauls. it takes hours to days just to set up a turbine casing ‘lift’.

    What I liked about this is that for young people, it shows that these jobs are very valuable, and rewarding. I think the way the show simply presented facts without spin, one way or another, is a service to the men and women of our industrial working class.

    Reply
  5. AvatarMichael R. Himes says

    September 9, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    The Gerneral Public takes electricity for granted without a thought to the skill levels of the people that supply it. Only now do they give thought to the out of date grid that supplies power. Most of it deliverd by wires on poles and towers with little underground. Every storm either wind rain or ice threatens long outages. Now, with climate change, the cost of this will make rates out of sight.

    Reply
  6. AvatarDaniel says

    September 9, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Yucca Mountain close out,

    I read in one newspaper that following a deadlock (2-2 vote) that Yucca is closing.

    Then on another source of news, I get this:

    The commission announced a tie vote of 2-2, therefore the ASLB’s legal decision is not overturned and the DOE’s motion to withdraw the application is not granted.

    What is going on ?

    Reply
    • AvatarDaniel says

      September 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM

      And one NRC member decided to abstain. This member should be fired.

      Reply
      • AvatarBrian Mays says

        September 9, 2011 at 10:43 PM

        Daniel – Sometimes members will abstain due to possible conflicts of interest or other compromising situations.

      • AvatarRod Adams says

        September 11, 2011 at 5:00 AM

        @Brian – I would put it differently. Ethical members will always abstain due to possible conflicts of interest. When there is an obvious conflict and no abstention, it is evidence of a lack of ethics and integrity.

  7. AvatarJonE says

    September 10, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Like this video!

    Reply

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