Sun Spots and the Power Grid

by Bob Beresh on March 7, 2012

The electric power system is a dynamic entity that is vulnerable to many influences, such as the weather (lightning, ice, wind, heat), as well as faults / disturbances arising from mechanical and electrical failures, sabotage, and even traffic accidents. However, the sun can also play a role in impacting the power system and has in the past caused problems with power equipment and system reliability. As early as 1859, when a “super storm” occurred on the sun, it was shown that there was a direct correlation between solar activity and an impact on the transmission of telegraph signals [Telegraph operators received shocks and telegraph paper caught fire!].

How does this happen? Simply put, the sun emits a very powerful magnetic field which carries with it plasma ejected from the sun itself. This magnetic field can, under certain circumstances, negate the earth’s magnetic field allowing charged particles to enter the earth’s atmosphere, thereby creating the Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

The interaction of magnetic fields can also create currents in the earth’s atmosphere that in turn induce currents in the earth, especially at northern latitudes. These “induced” currents may then enter the power system via grounding points and disrupt, or even damage equipment. Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) as they are called,  have been known to impact transformers and generators and in some cases, cause widespread blackouts.

In 1989 most of the province of Quebec was without power for up to 9 hours as a direct result of solar activity, and a large power transformer was destroyed in the US from solar activity.

More recently, solar activity has also been shown to impact communications systems. In 1997 communications satellites were affected, which temporarily knocked out pagers and many space-based communications systems.

At intervals of approximately 11 years the sun reaches a peak of activity which can lead to the detrimental effects listed above. The sun is currently entering a new cycle of solar activity in which these effects may become more prevalent and of greater concern to our society, which is ever more dependent on reliable power systems and secure communications.

Kinectrics has been studying the impact of the sun on the power system for a number of years and has in-depth experience in the monitoring of GICs.

We have developed a system whereby utilities can monitor the potential impact of solar activity on their systems and thereby take corrective action to help avoid undesirable effects on power delivery and equipment performance. The system developed monitors the GIC currents generated by solar activity, which are often manifested in the neutrals of power transformers. This information can then be used to alarm the system operators as to pending detrimental conditions.

Kinectrics also has experience in determining suitable monitoring locations so GIC current monitors can be installed at specific locations that may be more vulnerable than others.

With an awareness of the potential effects of sunspots on their systems and effective mitigation tools in place, utilities can better prepared to address solar anomalies.

 

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Seismic Testing–A Cornerstone in North American Nuclear Safety Programs

by Garry Chapman on August 30, 2011

The 5.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred northwest of Richmond, Virginia on August 23 reminds us all that these events can occur suddenly and have an unpredictable impact.  In past years, other incidents many times more intense, that included some of the largest North American earthquakes, have also occurred in places as such Charleston, South Carolina and New Madrid, Missouri. 

While the central and eastern United States are not generally considered earthquake-prone zones, nuclear plants located in those areas—and other parts of the world—have always been designed with the potential for seismic activity in mind.

During the last ten years, seismic experts have been expanding their understanding of earthquakes occurring east of the Rocky Mountains.  Even prior to recent events such as those in Virginia and, the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan, the standards governing design of equipment for use in nuclear power plants have been undergoing intensive review to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge. Fukushima Daiichi in particular has accelerated this process. 

Kinectrics’ scientists are continuing to work diligently with other industry specialists to develop a common approach to further advance and expand nuclear seismic testing programs. They share a mutual goal to not only validate the abundant safety systems already inherent in nuclear plant design, but also incorporate the specific lessons of recent earthquake events.

Nuclear power continues to be safe, reliable and efficient.  But the industry remains ever vigilant in its ongoing technical exploration to both maintain and advance the already rigorous, robust safety measures it has in place to protect the public at large. At Kinectrics, we are extremely proud of our role in supporting this important endeavor.

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Analysis of Failed EQ Equipment and Components in the CANDU Industry – Part 2 – Failure Investigation Checklist

by David Rouison on August 30, 2011

By Christine Regan and David Rouison

The need to understand the cause of component failures is of critical importance in most industries, especially in safety-oriented businesses such as nuclear power plants and aerospace industries. The following checklist is Part 2 of a collection of helpful tips and explanations originally detailed in Part 1 of this article on key concepts to keep in mind when a component fails.

 FAILURE INVESTIGATION CHECKLIST

Use this checklist as a guideline for information to collect when investigating component failure.

High quality, in-focus, digital images showing: overall views of the equipment, the failed part(s), and the location(s) of the failure(s) before removal

Location and orientation of parts before removal

Minimize handling. For non-metallics in particular, avoid handling with bare hands.

Label, or otherwise identify, multiple components removed from service. Avoid using sticky tapes and markers on non-metallic parts.

Collect samples of process fluids, greases, lubricants, deposits or contaminants present at the failure site or on the failed part.

Avoid cleaning the failed part.

Avoid putting mating fracture surfaces back together.

Store samples in a cool, dry location, protected from extreme environments. If possible, use a re-sealable plastic bag. If non-metallic components require long-term storage prior to analysis, keep the sample in an opaque plastic bag to protect against UV damage.

If planning to conduct a failure analysis, provide a new sample for comparison, if available.

At a minimum, collect the following essential information on the component’s operational history:

  • How long has it been in service?
  • What temperatures was it subjected to?
  • What fluids was it in contact with?
  • Was it t subjected to radioactive fields?
  • Is this a recurring issue

Where possible, collect the following documentation associated with the failed component:

  • Component drawings
  • Manufacturer’s specifications
  • Equipment Qualification documents
  • Inspection and Test reports
  • Relevant maintenance procedures and records
  • Associated Station Condition Records

 Send failed component to an accredited laboratory (i.e., Kinectrics) for failure analysis.

 

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Analysis of Failed EQ Equipment and Components in the CANDU Industry – Part 1 – Tips for Submitting Failed Samples

by David Rouison August 19, 2011

By Christine Regan & David Rouison The need to understand the cause of component failures is of critical importance in most industries, especially in safety-oriented businesses such as nuclear power plants and aerospace industries. Determining the cause of a failure prevents the reoccurrence of potentially damaging events and ensures the continuous improvement of processes and [...]

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Gamma Scanning- A novel tool for radiation source term management

by Jeffrey Robins June 21, 2011

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulations require licensees of nuclear power plants and facilities to implement measures to keep doses received by workers and members of the public from exposure to sources of radiation “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA).  It is insufficient for a licensee to simply respect the appropriate dose limits; efforts must be [...]

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Mixed Radioactive Waste

by Sriram Suryanarayan May 14, 2011

What is Mixed Waste in this Context? The mixed waste we are discussing here is liquid waste that contains both radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous materials.  A good example of this would be radioactive PCB-contaminated oil, or a radioactive mixture of solvents and water.  This type of waste is difficult to deal with since it contains [...]

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Hard Rocks and High Frequency Shakes Up Nuclear Equipment Seismic Qualification

by Garry Chapman April 18, 2011

Hard Rock and High Frequency Effects present New Challenges to Seismic Qualification for Nuclear The process used to prove the design of important equipment to be used in nuclear power plants hasn’t changed much in the last thirty years—until now.  With the next generation of nuclear power plant design and construction underway, results of recent studies of [...]

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Important Applications of Tritium

by Jeffrey Robins April 11, 2011

Tritium in Radiochemicals Radiochemicals, as the name implies, are chemicals in which one or more of the atoms have been replaced with a radioactive isotope.   Some radiochemicals incorporate short-lived isotpes such as phosphorus-32 and iodine-125.  However, the most common are compounds tagged with the long-lived isotopes, carbon-14 and tritium.  These tracers are used for the [...]

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Controlling tritium releases to the environment and reducing public risk

by Armando Antoniazzi April 4, 2011

Tritium – What are the real concerns? Tritium, a by-product of nuclear power generation and a future power source, is frequently in the news; for example, leaking from nuclear stations,  public concerns over its use, and licensing of a tritium facility. As with most hazardous substances, (chemical or radioactive) the public becomes concerned when  substances are found [...]

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Decision Making in Nuclear Waste

by Sriram Suryanarayan March 28, 2011

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Selection between various competing options for waste and environmental management involves consideration of several factors such as design, technology, cost, safety and regulatory issues. For example, options for managing metallic waste include long-term storage, decontamination and reuse, setting up a metal melting facility, or sending the waste to an off-site facility for processing. [...]

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