　　Technology exchange meetings about general nuclear power plant operator training issues have been taking place between BTC and KSG/GfS (note 1) since 2006. Most recently three members from BTC visited KSG/GfS in Germany for one week from October 13th to 17th in 2008. Before that, three members of KSG/GfS visited BTC in Japan in 2007.

KSG/GfS　Facilities

[Information Exchange Meeting]
　　A presentation about simulator training and continuous practices in Germany was given by KSG/GfS at their facilities. A presentation was also given by BTC about recent training in Japan which included the new team training course and the new “Plant Diagnostic Skills Training” which is based on diagnosis of plant status after the occurrence of a large earthquake. Each party’s opinion about the trainings was then exchanged.


Simulator training in action

[Training Observation at KSG/GfS]
　　A tour of the training facilities as well as observation of simulator training at KSG/GfS also took place. BTC members reported gaining a clear understanding of actual KSG/GfS simulator training procedures through observation of operator training. The trainings observed included the procedure for dry well check during normal conditions and the procedure for mitigating a main steam line pipe leak and feedwater pump trip in the turbine building.
While some differences in training such as procedural details were acknowledged, similarities between the training practices of BTC and KSG/GfS were also realized. One notable similarity is- after operation for accident mitigation- the practice of taking 15 minutes to reflect on and discuss the event.

[Visit to Related Facilities]
　A tour of the training facilities as well as classroom training observation also took place at KWS- a related training facility (note 2). The training curriculum at KWS appeared to dedicate more time than BTC to the study of basic theory such as nuclear engineering, etc.
　BTC members also visited Grohnde Nuclear Power Plant (PWR) and inquired about plant operator organization and overall educational contents of training programs. One notable difference from that of Japan is that in Germany an extra member called “craftsman” is included in　shift teams .

(Note 1) KSG/GfS :Kraftwerks-Simulater-Gesellschaft mbH/Gesellschaft für Simulatorschulung mbH KSG/Gf located in Essen, Germany, owns 13 simulators and provides domestic nuclear power plant operator training.
(Note 2) KWS:KRAFTWERKSSCHULE E.V. : located next to KSG/GfS, provides classroom training on subjects such as nuclear engineering theory and radiation protection for nuclear power plant operators. In addition, simulator training for operators of thermal power plants is also provided using simulators designed for thermal power plants.