"The opening of this Startup Test Engineer Training Facility is an exciting step in the nuclear renaissance. This facility serves as an important opportunity for our customers, our industry and Westinghouse to provide a high-quality Startup Test Engineer training and qualification program for the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant," said Mr. Chari.
– Edited By Tom Lamar –
Westinghouse Electric Company celebrated the grand opening of a First-of-a-Kind Startup Test Engineer Training Facility at its headquarters in Cranberry Township, Pa. on August 25, 2010. The grand opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by facility tours featuring the facility's diagnostic lab room that comes complete with a flow loop.
The Westinghouse Startup Test Engineer (WeSTETM) Training Facility will be used to train Westinghouse employees, customers and industry representatives on the proper testing and safe maintenance of Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant systems, structures, and components. The Westinghouse Startup Test Engineer Training Facility is comprised of a state-of-the-art AP1000 simulator that replicates the AP1000 digital control, protection and monitoring systems for component testing and diagnostics training. In addition to the simulator, which is comprised of a digital lab room and a flow loop lab room, the facility includes two traditional training classrooms.
Deva Chari, senior vice president, Nuclear Power Plants, cut the ribbon at the entrance of the facility with the assistance of several leaders from Westinghouse Electric Company.
"The opening of this Startup Test Engineer Training Facility is an exciting step in the nuclear renaissance. This facility serves as an important opportunity for our customers, our industry and Westinghouse to provide a high-quality Startup Test Engineer training and qualification program for the Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear power plant," said Mr. Chari.
The first class of 26 students will begin training at this facility at Westinghouse headquarters on August 30. The training facility has the capacity to train approximately 100 students each year. Each group of students will complete the training within approximately four months. After the training and qualification program is complete, students will be qualified as Westinghouse Startup Test Engineers (WeSTEs). WeSTE qualification exceeds the minimum requirements for Level III Test Engineers as specified in ANSI/ASME NQA-1.