CONTE 2011

Returned to the CONTE (Conference on Nuclear Training and Education) 4 years after my last attendance and found much more of interest. Talks on the use of simulators were popular and more talks from universities showing how they are working with industry rather than letting the industry organise its own training in isolation. The use of technology was the subject of quite a few talks and I mange to grab a few interviews for NLTV.

Smallpeice Reception, House of Commons

The reception organised by the Smallpeice Trust showcased some of the great work that the Trust is involved in supported pupils who are considering a career in engineering or science. Several schools demonstrated their understanding of the requirement for electricity producing windmills with support from universities and industry both present. Charles Hendry MP was there to award the prizes and he forecast that engineers will be the heroes of the forthcoming years. A podcast report is available from NLTV www.nltv.co.uk

C-NET Launch Event

C-NET, the Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology, is a new centre, supported by the NWDA, at The University of Manchester that is focussed on front end nuclear cycle, apart from enrichment, activities. It’s remit is research, education and training as well as supporting the North West nuclear industrial sector. The Launch Event has been organised to showcase the wide range of research with presentations from several Professors that lead the research activities. It was very well attended by both universities and industry. Hopefully it will advertise the capabilities of the centre to industry to boost collaborative opportunities. A podcast report is also available from NLTV at www.nltv.co.uk

NIA/NI Annual Dinner 2010

Estimates varied between 1400 and 1500 attendees but even with the non-attendance of some due to the snow it was the largest ever annual dinner and this year held at The Grosvenor House Hotel. Norman Harrison was announced as the new President of the NI to succeed Paul Thomas. Michael Portillo was the after dinner speaker and he started off amusing and then ended up as informative, which was interesting but perhaps not as entertaining for the audience at that time of night.

Energy Choices 2010

The buoyant confident nature of the current state of the nuclear industry was reflected by the conference which was very assured and perhaps more dull as a result. NuGeneration was announced as the name for the Iberdrola, SSE, GDF Suez consortium so it is now in the same position as Horizon in waiting for the conclusion of the GDA to will make a decision. One of the major messages of the day was the need to educate the public about radiation and nuclear energy but some doubt was raised as to whether the vendors should be part of this process. I hope the vendors will at least support the process.

Eurosafe Forum on European Co-Operation in Education on Nuclear Safety

A one day meeting organised by Eurosafe as an outcome or our presentation to the Eurosafe Steering Committee back in February. One good thing about the meeting was that they managed to get Joseph Safieh and Anselm Schafer talking about ENEN and SNETP ETKM to the same audience. Hopefully the view expressed that there are many universities outside of ENEN that do nuclear and would benefit from networking was well received but a long time may be the only thing that tells.

Eurosafe Forum on European Co-Operation in Education on Nuclear Safety

A one day meeting organised by Eurosafe as an outcome or our presentation to the Eurosafe Steering Committee back in February. One good thing about the meeting was that they managed to get Joseph Safieh and Anselm Schafer talking about ENEN and SNETP ETKM to the same audience. Hopefully the view expressed that there are many universities outside of ENEN that do nuclear and would benefit from networking was well received but a long time may be the only thing that tells.

35th World Nuclear Association Annual Symposium

As with last years conference much of the content and exhibitors are uranium mining companies/consultants. An interesting presentation on the Cigar Lake uranium deposit calculated the amount of U in lbs! I found out that the timing of this conference is decided as the week before the IAEA Annual Congress to attract a truly international audience. The reception was held in Tate Britain which was quite impressive.

NEO 10 Calgary Canada

A very enjoyable two day conference in a very sunny Calgary, at least until 3pm on the last day when a torrential downpour occurred. The situation regarding outreach in Canada is very different to that in the UK and even more so in Alberta were coal and gas are the major fuels. Lots of very good presentations on educational programmes and outreach from various countries highlighted the differences in each country and the different methodologies. Are websites passe, will Facebook still be the information technology of choice in a year’s time and can anything replace an actual lecturer in a lecture theatre?

Marketcircle Nuclear Industry Forum

Only attended the second day but after today’s presentations I wish I had attended yesterday as well, one of the best day’s presentations for a long while. Charles Hendry, Secretary of State for Energy gave a very positive speech to kick things off and then a session by Jean Llewelyn, Andrew Sherry and Brian Murphy overflowed with information. After a good set of presentations on stakeholder relations the meeting finished with two of the most interesting presentations I have seen for many a conference. Mike Tynan of Westinghouse gave a presentation on Springfields and then Steve Cowley gave a really good review on fusion, JET and ITER.