Six members from the STP (South Texas Project) Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) attended an ABWR Familiarization Training-Plant Operation Module at BTC Niigata Center from April 10 to April 18, 2010.  This 9 day course―carried out on the BTC No. 5 simulator― is designed to provide an understanding of the basic operation of the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor during normal, abnormal, and emergency operations. 
　Also included in the course is a half-day trip to the TEPCO Technical and Skill Training Center located at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.  This facility is where power plant personnel are trained on the handling of the fine motion control rod driving mechanism (FMCRD), nuclear reactor recirculation internal pump (RIP), and many other plant systems.  All equipment mock-ups are just like those of the reference power plants. 

     

　This training was the third time that a different group of trainees from STPNOC has experienced the ABWR Familiarization Training-Plant Operation Module at BTC. The first time was a two week course held in July/August 2008 which included a classroom session as well as a simulator session.  The second time was during an 8 day course that was held in March 2009.

　Upon completion of this recent program, BTC instructors were pleased to receive acknowledgement from the STPNOC trainees that the course provided an excellent overview of ABWR plant operation.  As always, course feedback will be implemented to improve upon future courses as BTC continues to make efforts to improve this training program.