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Services to the commercial nuclear sector

2 | Services to the commercial nuclear sector

“Engineering is an exciting way of life, always with new wheels to discover rather than invent, whether in creation or design.”Sir William Atkins

Services to the commercial nuclear sector | 3

Established in 1938, Atkins has become one of the world’s largest international design and engineering consulting firms, with offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Our experience across multiple sectors allows us to deliver the best, most up-to-date technical solutions to our clients by sharing expertise and knowledge on a worldwide scale.

At the same time, Atkins understands the importance of being local— of having deep roots in the communities in which we live and work. In the United States, our experience dates back more than half a century and our network of 300 offices spans the nation. Our understanding of local requirements, practices, and culture has allowed us to become a valued partner to our clients.

With more than 17,500 staff operating across the globe, including over 3,500 staff in North America, we plan, design, and enable some of the most challenging and time critical projects. This is why we were chosen

as architect engineer for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which is expected to be the world’s largest and most advanced experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor.

In 2014 Atkins acquired Nuclear Safety Associates, the US nuclear industry’s foremost authority for nuclear safety, regulatory compliance and licensing.

Atkins is:

• The world’s 14th largest global design firm (ENR 2013)

• Ranked as one of the top 10 firms in the United States (ENR 2013)

• The third largest engineering and architectural consultancy in Europe (Svenska Teknik & Designföretagen Sector Review 2013)

• One of the top 10 firms in the Middle East (ENR 2013)

• The UK’s largest engineering consultancy for the last 15 years (NCE Consultants File 2013).

Atkins: world-class engineering


Reacting first

Our nuclear business has been operating in the industry since the inception of nuclear energy for the production of electricity more than 50 years ago. Today, our talent-rich teams work closely with our clients, to maintain the existing nuclear infrastructure, engineer new plants and safely decommission facilities that have reached the end of their operating life.

Our experience embraces the regulatory regimes of the US and the UK, giving us an appreciation of the different regulatory approaches in those two countries. In the US, this includes Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-licensed fuel cycle and isotope production facilities and power reactors, as well as Department of Energy (DOE) reactor and non-reactor nuclear facilities.

In the new build market we have extensive knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework required to develop new nuclear. As a leading civil, structural and infrastructure design house we’re able to mobilize large multidisciplinary design teams to strengthen our retained regional expertise. Overall, we design and engineer solutions for the entire nuclear facility lifecycle across the US fleet.

Iconic projects spanning 50 years in nuclear

1954 20101970 2013Berkeley nuclear power station, UK

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), France

Ko-Ri Nuclear power station, Korea

EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Strategic Partnership, UK

Our track record

1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s

1954Atkins undertakes the detailed architectural, civil and structural design for new Berkeley nuclear power station (UK)

1958 Atkins plans and designs a complete nuclear research centre for the Italian committee for Nuclear Research

1971Atkins Structural Analysis System (ASAS) is used to check the Dounreay (UK) reactor roof

1960Atkins designs and makes recommendations for a complete line of nuclear reactor fuel element cells in Japan

1970Ko-Ri Nuclear power station, Korea: Atkins and Wimpey & Co carry out design of the auxiliary hall, turbine hall, the administration building and the foundations for the high voltage switch gear

1976Atkins collaborates with Associated Nuclear Services (ANS) in the structural support of the magnetic coils for a 2000 MW(e) Tokamak reactor

1982Atkins undertakes the complete design and specification of the BNFL recovery plant for Springfields (UK)

1985Atkins now counts virtually all nuclear power organizations in the UK as clients

1986Allot Atkins Mouchel Power Consultants Limited secures preparatory civil work for Hinkley PWR station (UK)

1959 Atkins is engaged in seven nuclear projects, including work on Merlin, a 5MW research reactor produced by AEI/John Thompson Nuclear Energy Company – the first privately owned reactor to be built by the commonwealth


1990s 2000s 2010s

1994Atkins is appointed as managing agent of the phase one decommissioning of Windscale Piles (UK)

1991Acquisition of the specialist nuclear consultancy ANS (a company comprising Atkins, Ewbank Preece, Merz & Mclellan)

2000Superheater headers project for Magnox

2008Atkins is awarded a contract to continue as a Tier 1 supplier to EDF Energy under its Technical Services Alliance (TSA)

2010Atkins is appointed as architect engineer for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

2011Atkins is appointed as lender’s technical advisor to the UAE’s peaceful nuclear programme

2011Atkins supports EDF Energy to improve the resilience of UK nuclear power stations following the Japanese earthquake

2013Atkins is formally announced as part of the EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Strategic Partnership in the UK

2014Atkins is selected as Strategic partner for all of URENCO’s project and programme delivery in the UK

1995Atkins conducts seismic assessments of the Magnox and AGR reactor cores (UK)

1997Atkins carries out environmental impact study of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power station

1998TACIS Procurement Agent Contract associated with decommissioning the Chernobyl nuclear power plant


Intelligent nuclear infrastructure

Nuclear safety and specialty analysis

Project cost and

commercial management

Environment and waste

management

Nuclear infrastructure

Multidiscipline engineering

Professional security services

Readiness and startup engineering

Atkins plans, designs and enables some of the world’s greatest engineering projects. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Atlanta International Airport, USA, and the Burj Al Arab in the UAE exemplify Atkins’ ability to deliver stellar engineering solutions on time. Backed by this experience, our nuclear business focuses on six key skill areas to provide a unique combination of specialist nuclear skills and more traditional engineering and project management skills to our clients.

“We are at our best when the absence of an accepted code, standard or analogue means innovation and original thinking must come to the fore.”Martin Grant, CEO Energy, Atkins


Our nuclear skills

We take pride in the technical excellence of everything we do. Whether it’s the analysis of reactor components or the assessment of the ecological impact of new facilities, our engineers and scientists excel.

At Atkins, we believe that our people can improve lives through nuclear energy by playing a fundamental role in managing waste, using their skills to maximize lifetime output and construct new nuclear power stations around the world. Our talented engineers design and develop solutions that are groundbreaking and can improve the quality of life for us all. Ultimately, we believe that when you bring brilliant people together, they will do brilliant things.


Our nuclear skills Nuclear Safety, Licensing, Safeguards & Security Operation & Readiness

Nuclear Safety & Speciality Analysis

• Nuclear site licensing• Regulatory support• Criticality safety • Nuclear facility safety• Integrated safety analysis• Radiation protection and

shielding• Reactor safety• Probabilistic risk/safety

analysis and reliability assessment of process/equipment

• Chemical safety• Fire and industrial safety

hazard assessment• Fire protection

engineering • Risk and consequence

analysis• Health physics/radiological

protection• Human performance

assessment

Professional Security Services

• Security program development and implementation

• Personnel security• Information security• Cyber security• Classification and export

control• Security risk assessment • Security and awareness

training• Physical security feature

specification and start-up• Vulnerability assessments• Nuclear materials control

and accountability

Readiness and Startup Engineering

• Systems engineering• Readiness assist teams• Readiness reviews• Facility start-up• Procedure development

and implementation• Implementation validation

reviews• Operational readiness

reviews• Emergency planning and

response• Audits and inspections • Logistics and inventory

management

• NQA-1 quality program development and implementation

• Training design, development, and delivery

• Operating experience management

• World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) peer review support

• Operations surveillance management

• In-service inspection (ISI) and quality surveillance (QS) program management


Our nuclear skills Project, Cost & Commercial Management’

Commercial Management

• Cost management• Estimating• Cost planning• Procurement• Quantity surveying• Cost engineering• Procurement engineering• Commercial grade dedication

Cost Management

• Private finance initiative• Contracts consultancy• Dispute management• Development consultancy• Risk and value management• Capital tax allowances• Expert witness• Strategic asset management• Life-cycle costing• Sustainability

Project Management

• Project management• Employer’s agent• Scheduling• Building surveying• Health and safety• Portfolio optimization

(financial/asset/resource)• Program and project

assurance• Program and project delivery

management (delivered client-side or as a managed service)

• PMO (delivered client-side or as a managed service)

• Enterprise solutions including Primavera implementation


Radiological Assessments

• Aerial dispersion modeling• Aquatic dispersion • Groundwater monitoring• Screening tools• Dose assessment (humans)• Dose assessment (non-

humans)• PC CREAM software• ALARA programs and

plans

Radioactive Waste Management

• Waste disposal/screening• Integrated waste strategy• Radioactive waste

management• Waste characterization• Material performance• Material chemistry

Environmental Assessment & Permitting

• Air/noise quality management

• Archeological and architectural resource surveys and studies

• Ecological surveys• Environmental permitting

and compliance• Environmental studies and

management• Federal, state, and local

agency consultation/coordination

• Information solutions and GIS

• Water quality modeling/studies

• Water rights permitting• Hurricane storm surge

modeling• Impingement/entrainment

studies• Baseline and impact

evaluation• Biological and

construction monitoring• Cooling reservoir

modeling• Cultural resource

Our nuclear skills Environment & Waste Management

surveys and National Historic Preservation Act compliance

• Ecological risk assessment• Ecosystem and habitat

restoration• Endangered Species Act

(ESA) coordination• Federal (Clean Water Act,

Section 404) and state wetland delineation, permitting and mitigation

• Instream flow and other aquatic studies

• Mitigation planning and implementation

• NEPA compliance• Site constraints and due

diligence studies• Species surveys and

habitat assessments• Water quality monitoring• Watershed management

planning


Our nuclear skills Multidiscipline Engineering

Mechanical

• Engineering design• Mechanical design• Hydraulic design• Electromechanical design• Mechanical assessment• Design of remote handling

equipment• Specification of EOT

cranes• Reverse engineering• FOAK custom equipment

Process

• Process design (conceptual and detailed)

• Piping systems and valves• Process control and

instrumentation• Materials of construction• Equipment selection and

specification• Mechanical design vessels

and piping• Waste management• Process safety• Active HVAC design• Testing and

commissioning

Civil & Structural

• Civil structural design• Structural assessment• Structural dynamics• Structural materials• Foundations and

geotechnical engineering• Structural inspection and

appraisal• Seismic analysis and

design• Drainage• Highways and bridges• Flood assessment

Electrical Control & Instrumentation

• Power systems design, high voltage

• Power systems design, low voltage

• Field instrumentation and valves

• Programmable systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS)

• Hardwired systems (relays, solid state)

• Layer of protection analysis (LOPA)/SIL assessment and reliability

• Equipment validation• EMC/RFI grounding• Field activities

Multinational reach, local knowledge

Atkins is a global company with offices in 26 countries worldwide.The diversity of the countries in which we operate means we focus on delivery at a local level, working with local clients, but leveraging the full strength of Atkins’ skills across the globe.

Atkins offices

9,375People employed in the United Kingdom

3,500People employed in North America

1,979People employed in the Middle East

2,055People employed in Asia Pacific and Europe


Our projects: USA

From our role on one of the first generation of nuclear reactors, to our current work in exploring options for safe, limitless and environmentally responsible energy sources, our people have applied their technical expertise to some of the world’s most challenging projects.

Reactor Engineering and Licensing Support

Client: NuScale Power

Atkins is providing advanced nuclear reactor engineering, core physics design, computational simulations and related computer code validations in support of a new small modular reactor (SMR) offering. We have also given safety analysis input to the initial licensing efforts with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Our support to the initial core design effort used CASMO/SIMULATE to perform analyses including CRA Bank Withdrawal Analysis, Single CRA Withdrawal Analysis, and MSLB with Return to Power Analysis. We performed validation of the CMS Code Suite (CASMO-5, SIMULATE-5, SIMULATE3-K, and the corresponding latest versions of INTERPIN and CMSLlNK) for the SMR by making comparisons against suitable benchmark experiments and reactor critical data for operating PWR plants.


Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF)

Client: Westinghouse

Our engineers served in key positions supporting the development, implementation, and closeout of the nuclear criticality safety improvement project, a five year effort to return the CFFF criticality safety program to an industry leading position. This effort included restructuring the programmatic elements in accordance with ANSI/ANS-8 standards, and upgrading all nuclear criticality safety evaluations to clearly demonstrate double contingency as well as to meet the performance criteria of 10CFR70.61.

We delivered a related project to prove that the CFFF meets the seismic performance criteria of 10CFR70.61, developing a methodology based on the limited guidance provided in NUREG-1520. After first ruling out the potential for soil liquefaction at the facility, we performed soil structure interaction analysis and three-dimensional finite element analysis. As a result of the studies, vaporization equipment was redesigned to meet 10CFR10.61 performance criteria, and recommendations were made to anchor other equipment items. Our presentation of the methodology to the NRC, made jointly with the customer, was well received.

Ex-Vessel Steam Explosion (EVSE) Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Client: Confidential

Nuclear structures are conceived and constructed to achieve a high level of integrity but may still be susceptible to failure due to inconsistency in material properties, load environment fluctuations, design assumptions and other uncertainties. The NRC recognizes the significance of these uncertainties and requires a probabilistic approach to identify accident sequences, dominant contributors to risk and opportunities to improve safety.

Atkins conducted probabilistic risk analysis of a reactor containment building concrete cavity and reactor pressure vessel support system for EVSE events using non-linear finite element analysis.

Risk modeling addressed potential failure mechanisms of the cavity wall, steel material properties and impulsive pressure load and frequency due to steam explosion. The team successfully produced fragility curves and determined relevant failure rates, providing assurance of structural integrity.


National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Support and Regulatory Permitting, Lee Nuclear Power Plant

Client: Duke Energy

Atkins was a major contributor to the NEPA environmental report that provided data, analyses, and documentation to support the federal environmental impact statement (EIS) for Duke Energy Corporation’s proposed William States Lee III Nuclear Station.

Atkins’ support included the development of the Environmental Report-Supplement (ER-S) which addressed supplemental cooling water needs for the proposed plant. The ER-S covered all environmental resource categories required under NEPA. We also revised alternative analyses to address anticipated agency concerns regarding wetland and stream impacts, developed the Section 404 Individual Permit application and mitigation plan, and gave post-application support.

We received a letter of appreciation from the client after delivering a high-quality product ahead of a critical deadline.

Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) New Build Project Services

Client: Confidential

A client initiated the development of an Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) power generation project in the US. This multi-billion dollar project targeted a 60 month cycle comprising an 18 month design and development phase and 42 month project execution.

The client engaged with a joint venture contractor who prepared a cost estimate forming the initial business case for the project and the foundation of possible incentive contract terms. Atkins supported the client by independently carrying out estimate review and validation, strengthening the business case.

Following the initial phase, a multi-billion dollar engineer, procure, construct (EPC) contract was developed to provide cost predictability and protection via appropriate allocation of risk and incentives for performance. Atkins developed project controls processes to facilitate the integration of cost and schedule data for the required close management of contract pricing and performance.

Our projects: USA


Engineering and Licensing Support

Client: SHINE Medical Technologies

Atkins is providing a range of consultancy support to the Subcritical Hybrid Intense Neutron Emitter (SHINE) project as our client strives to design, license, and build the first plant to produce the medical isotope Molybdenum-99 in the United States in over 50 years.

Drawing on our technical and regulatory experience, our advice and work product has helped our client meet a series of novel challenges. We developed the analyses and associated documentation needed to support an NRC license application for the facility including a hazards and operability study, a preliminary hazards analysis, an integrated safety analysis, and preparation of preliminary safety analysis report chapters. We also performed an extensive shielding analysis involving multiple variance reduction techniques and used the Monte Carlo computer code MCNP to perform the neutron, primary and secondary photon transport.

“It was a pleasure working with such a dedicated, technically outstanding, group of people equally dedicated to our success.”Richard Vann Bynum, Chief operating officer, SHINE Medical Technologies


Our projects: worldwide

Lender’s Technical Advisor, UAE

Client: Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)

Atkins has been working with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation since 2011, when we were initially appointed as the lender’s technical advisor for Units 1 to 4 at the Barakah site in the UAE. Atkins provided over 60 engineers, environmental scientists and costing specialists to carry out a detailed independent review of the program on behalf of international lenders.

Since then, using a combination of its nuclear base in Abu Dhabi and its existing workforce of over 2000 engineers in the Middle East region, Atkins has been providing technical and project management support to the Barakah program, and for the development of its operating company.

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), France

Client: Fusion for Energy (F4E)

ITER, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, is a large-scale scientific experiment that aims to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of fusion power. It is one of the most challenging and innovative scientific projects in the world today, involving countries who collectively represent over half the world’s population.

The architect engineer role is being delivered to an eight year program by a 200-strong integrated team at the ITER site in Cadarache, in France. When completed, the site will comprise over 40 buildings including the 50m × 200m Tokamak complex, designed to modern nuclear standards.


Technical Services Alliance (TSA), UK

Client: EDF Energy

We have provided consultancy services to EDF Energy, one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers, for more than a decade. Not only are we one of their Strategic Partners, but we are also one of their top tier partners as part of their Technical Services Alliance (TSA) and we are leading their Program Office. Under these vehicles, Atkins is supporting the existing EDF fleet with a team of nuclear, power and safety specialists. We have delivered solutions to the fleet’s most critical programs including:

• Fuel route improvements• Graphite core aging and life extension• Boiler degradation• Periodic safety review program• Key recovery projects

Capital Program Support, Canada

Client: Ontario Power Generation (OPG)

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is involved in planning a multibillion-dollar program of work to refurbish and extend the life of the existing Darlington Nuclear Generating Station in Canada, comprising four CANDU reactors. This program will involve the management of several types of projects over 10 years.

Atkins’ role is to provide project planning and control services through the project development phase, over an initial three year period. This includes a review of the project scope; processes; program budget; and schedule, including independent risk assessment, outputs such as project risk register, and contingency levels.

The study has included a review of the program management organization; development of a contracting strategy with the flexibility required for a program of this nature; development of the estimate to support the current request for a further funding review of relevant project governance processes; and interviews with key members of the project. The review was carried out in stages and identified several areas where further development was required to improve the project baseline.

“Atkins is as close as a business supplier can be to being part of our business. Our goals are their goals also.”Dave Kendall, Deputy Head of Engineering, EDF Energy


Quietly doing brilliant things

People define our culture and we are widely noted for the high caliber of our technical professionals. Our people add value to the nuclear industry by combining their specialist nuclear skills with the unrivaled breadth and depth of technical knowledge from around the company. The leverage of these ‘cross-industry’ skills sets us apart from many of the traditional nuclear specialist providers around the world.

Each year we invest heavily in the development of our people. Our dedicated Atkins Training Academy (ATA) provides professional training and is recognized in the industry through the UK New Engineering Foundation (NEF) accreditation. Our Technical Careers Framework sets out clear roles and responsibilities for all of our people, from engineers to project managers, allowing us to better support their individual professional development and help them to realize their career aspirations.


Image credits EDF sites pg 1, 4, 6, 7, 24 © EDF Energy ITER pg 3, 4, 7, 20 © ITER Organization Magnox sites pg 7, 12, 13 © Magnox Ltd Pg 6 Merlin © AEI 1959, pg 6 Springfields © Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, pg 7 Windscale © Sellafield Ltd, pg 16 © SDP, pg 17 CFFF, © Friends of the Earth, pg 19 Watts Bar, credit Wikicommons.

© Atkins Limited except where stated otherwise.

The Atkins logo, ‘Carbon Critical Design’ and the strapline ‘Plan Design Enable’ are trademarks of Atkins Limited.

Nigel Thornton Director, Energy

5200 Seventy-Seven Center Drive Suite 500 Charlotte NC 28217 USA

Office: +1 704 522 7275 Cell: +1 832 247 3330 Email: [email protected]

www.atkinsglobal.com

services to the commercial nuclear sector - snc-lavalin/media/files/s/snc... · 16 | services to...

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