getting your feet wet when trying to stay dry: an exercise in brainstorming
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TRANSCRIPT
WE 13: The Annual Conference for Women Engineers
Getting Your Feet Wet When Trying to Stay Dry:
An Exercise in Brainstorming
Presented by Natasha Jones
CIVIL
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
MINING & METALS
OIL, GAS & CHEMICALS
POWER
Contents
� Project Highlights
� The Environment
� Overview of the Challenge
� Light at the End of the Tunnel
� Turning Ideas into Innovation
� Brainstorming Tips
� Putting the Pedal to the Metal
� Conclusion: Reflection Time
Project Highlights
• Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating
System
• Located in San Bernadino County,
California
• World’s largest solar thermal power
system under construction – 392 MW
• BrightSource Energy’s Luz Power Tower
550 technology
• 600 football fields worth of mirrored
surface area
• Completion scheduled for 2013
© Bechtel | 3
The Environment
© Bechtel | 4
Overview of the Challenge
• Extremely limited water
availability
• Water quality considerations
• Key equipment temperature
limitations
• Unknown needs of supporting
solar operation
• Uncharted operational territory
© Bechtel | 5
Light at the End of the Tunnel
• Combination of dry and wet
technologies
• Materials suitable for service
and environment
• Modifications to proven
technologies to address modern
challenges
• Subcontractors with a
collaborative attitude
© Bechtel | 6
Turning Ideas
Into Innovation
© Bechtel | 7
Brainstorming Tips
• Know where to go: prep
• First agree on the problem
• Facilitation is key
• Plan your players
• Individual and group brainstorming
• Methodology
• Follow the rules
• Don’t limit to one session@
© Bechtel | 8
Putting the Pedal to the Metal
• Consider a field trip
• Deeper discussion
• Decision-makers
• Use experts
• Create and implement
© Bechtel | 9
Conclusion: Reflection Time
• Our unique experience on
Ivanpah project reminded
us of the importance of
effective and correct
brainstorming
• Tackle one issue at a time
• Input from various
disciplines
• Not always necessary to re-
invent the wheel
• Know how to implement
and follow through
© Bechtel | 10
