2015 - 2016 Winter/Spring Lecture Series
OCTOBER 2015
“Renewable Energy Initiatives and the Workings of Bristol Port”
Presented by John Chaplin about the workings of Bristol port. This includes both the Avonmouth and Royal Portbury docks which are operated by the Bristol Port Company. It described the development of the docks and outlined the types of cargoes that are handled on an annual basis. It also focused on the renewable energy initiatives taken by the company to reduce their carbon footprint and help lower their operating costs.
NOVEMBER 2015
“Chernobyl – What Happened Then and What is Happening Now?”
The presentation about the Chernobyl event in 1986. It gave a detailed description of the accident sequence and the after effects of the accident. The talk focussed on the human factor failings of the organisation and how this has influenced nuclear safety culture since the event. The event was held at the University of Gloucester and was presented by Tom Hughes from Horizon Nuclear Power.
“Uranium Enrichment”
The evening lecture was held in Bristol and was presented by Geoff Owens from Urenco. Geoff gave a detailed description of the history of the Capenhurst site and the evolution of Uranium enrichment in the UK. He described the development and use of gas centrifuges and described the operational and safety aspects of the process.
(Written by Stuart Jelliss)
JANUARY 2016
“The Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR)”
Sam Billington, of Horizon Nuclear Power, presented to one of the largest and diverse attendances the Western Branch has had for one of its evening lectures.
Hosted by Atkins at Bristol's Aztec West Business Park, Sam delivered a comprehensive technical overview of the ABWR design and Horizon's plans for developing the site at Wylfa Newydd. This included the benefits and challenges faced due to ONR's familiarity with ABWR technology and the site's location, including the environmental impacts on blooms of jellyfish in the Menai Strait. Sam faced many questions from the audience comprising the optioneering of Reserve Ultimate Heat Sinks; REACH limitations on chemicals use; operations manning; and radiological protection measures in the plant's containment and turbine buildings.
Prior to the event, members of the Western Branch committee ran a membership workshop, advising attendees of the new membership grades and application process introduced in January.
(Written by Simon Briggs)