ASME’S POSITION STATEMENT ON TECHNOLOGY AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND GOALS FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR

Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased steadily since the beginning of the industrial revolution and these levels are projected to increase even more rapidly as the global economy grows. Significant climate changes are very likely associated with increased atmospheric concentrations of certain gases, most significantly CO2. The human and ecological cost of climate changes forecast in the absence of mitigation measures is sufficiently large, and the time scales of both intervention and resultant climate change response are sufficiently long, that prudent action is warranted now.

ASME recommends that CO2 emissions be reduced to achieve a sustainable atmospheric concentration. This paper provides a technology and engineering perspective, with policy and technology goals. Given the complexity of a carbon-constrained energy portfolio and its associated economic issues, integrated governmental, industrial, technological, and societal approaches are required to control and reduce CO2 emissions. The technical and economic means for significantly reducing CO2 emissions are within reach. Substantial additional research, development, and deployment investments are required to demonstrate technology viability, ensure enabling infrastructures, and minimise cost. Given the time constraints for technology deployment and associated climate responses, prudent action addressing CO2 emissions in the near term will have less negative economic impact than deferring action, which necessitates more draconian emissions reductions in the future.

Additionally, ASME acknowledges that adaptation to climate change will be an important and necessary climate response strategy. We therefore recommend that the likely consequences of climate change be determined with more clarity, and that effective measures to adapt to such consequences be identified, prioritised, and incorporated into governmental policies as soon as reasonably practicable.

For more information click here for the full report.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR ENGINEERING: THE OUTCOME

Brussels was the host to the 17th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 17).  ICONE is the premier conference for nuclear professionals who want to stay technically current and on top of industry trends.  The conference was held 12 – 16 July at the Sheraton Brussels Hotel. The event was a great success, being attended by almost 800 participants from all over the world. The conference boasted well over 600 technical presentations, covering a wide range of topics including:

• Plant operations and maintenance
• Component reliability and materials issues
• Structural integrity
• Advanced applications of nuclear technology
• Next generation systems
• Safety and security
• Codes, standards, licensing and regulatory issues
• Fuel cycle
• Waste management and decommissioning
• Balance of plant
• Thermal hydraulics
• Computational fluid dynamics, neutronics methods and coupled codes
• Plant design and construction
• Workforce issues
• Instrumentation and controls

A highlight of the technical programme is the Nuclear Industry Forum. The Forum is a series of panel sessions with leaders from the global nuclear industry addressing important topics the industry is facing.  This year’s Nuclear Industry Forum included nine panels addressing topics such as global supply chain management, new plant construction lessons learned, the European nuclear programme, nuclear engineering education, and many other topics.

ICONE is also a major supporter of early career engineers who will be entering the nuclear industry.  ICONE has a student sponsorship programme where students from around the globe have their registration fees waived and their lodging and other expenses covered by the conference.  The goal is to get early career engineers interacting with the experienced participants in ICONE.  This year ICONE supported over 50 students in the sponsorship programme.

To be eligible for the sponsorship programme, students submit technical papers which are reviewed by a committee.  The best papers are selected to receive the sponsorship.  Students present their papers both orally and in poster form at the conference.

ICONE is sponsored by ASME, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Chinese Nuclear Society.  Participating organisations for ICONE 17 included the Belgian Nuclear Society, European Nuclear Society, FORATOM and the Royal Flemish Society of Engineers.

ICONE is held in key nuclear markets around the globe.  ICONE 18 will take place 17 – 21 May, 2010 in Xi’an, China. Please join us in this ancient city, with over 3,000 years of history, which was the capital of China for 13 dynasties.  For additional information visit:  www.icone18.org

Contribution from: John Bendo, ASME Nuclear Energy Business Manager, bendoj@asme.org

ASME’S PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPING CONFERENCE: DR. LUC GERAETS, CONFERENCE CHAIR, REPORTS

Organised outside of North America for the first time ever since the creation of the ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Division in 1966, the PVP09 Conference took place in Prague, Czech Republic, and was an outstanding event. 732 delegates from 41 countries from all over the world gathered in Prague to participate in the event. More than 700 technical papers organised into 180 sessions (paper and panel sessions, four tutorials, and the renewed Student Paper Competition) were presented.  The first PVP Early Career Engineers forum, the NDE forum and the Software Demonstration forum were also organised as part of the technical programme. 

The PVP Senate, developer of the Student Paper Symposium and Competition, has collected 37 papers; 16 of those papers (originated from 16 different countries!) were selected for the final competition, which in turn allowed recognition of its eight laureates. The Conference technical papers have been published in the Conference proceedings in the form of a CD that can be purchased online at www.asme.org

A series of social events complemented the technical programme: a walking tour of Prague on Sunday afternoon, a bussed Prague city tour and the Conference-wide Reception on the summer terraces of the Hilton hotel overseeing the Vltava river on Monday, the Konopiste castle tour on Tuesday, and the Wednesday evening social held at the Prague Municipal House, with a private concert and a family dinner.

The hard work of our numerous volunteers and the contribution of the ASME staff have turned PVP09 into a tremendous success. On behalf of the organising committee, I want to thank all the participants who have made this success possible.

Contribution from: Dr. Luc H. Geraets, PVP09 Conference Chair.

ASME’S SUPPORT TO ITALIAN REGULATORY CHANGES FOR NUCLEAR POWER

Twenty two years after the closure of all the domestic nuclear power plants in Italy, the Italian Parliament reopened the nuclear dossier on 9 July 2009.

A new law was approved that recognises the need for nuclear power, sets up the infrastructure to address that endeavour and gives the Government and the Ministry of Economic Development the rights to provide, within the next six months, the main enacting rules for the operative start up of the legal, administrative, industrial and technical framework.

One of the first key steps to be addressed is the set up of the national Nuclear Safety Agency. The five Commissioners will be appointed by the Ministry of Economic Development (MSE) and by the Ministry of the Environment, two each, while the President of the Agency will be designated by the Prime Minister. Other key points are the reconfiguration of the energy research agency (ENEA) and the decommissioning company (SOGIN) and the identification of the requirements and rules to select the sites for the new nuclear plants and for the waste repository.

Apart from those already active in the nuclear sector, several Italian industries are keen to participate in the new nuclear market. Some are already moving ahead with the preparation of "nuclear divisions" for that competitive and demanding business. The technical qualification will be a key step. Even if the high quality of some large enterprises and various small and medium enterprises in the areas of engineering, construction, manufacturing and service sectors appears as a positive feature.

ASME will be providing support to the Italian companies and Institutions in order to assist them in the preparation of such important steps in the Nuclear industry and market.

Contribution from Marco Ricotti, Prof., PhD, Ing.,Politecnico di Milano, Department of Energy

ASME CODES AND STANDARDS –IMPACTING INDUSTRY

CONTRIBUTE!
This section of the ASME EMEA eUpdate is open for your comments regarding the use and implementation of the ASME codes and standards in the EMEA region. Write a short paragraph or two (of a maximum of 200 words) answering the question: "How have you been implementing the ASME codes and standards? How have ASME codes and standards made a difference?"

This could be an excellent opportunity for you or your company / organisation to share your experience / success stories with over 27.000 mechanical engineering professionals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Please also enclose your photo, company logo or a company photo (jpg format, high resolution if possible). Send it to fortesc@asme.org

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Copenhagen, Denmark
14-18 September 2009
http://www.asme.org/Education/Europe/

  

Don’t miss the last days to register for the ASME Training courses in Denmark. The courses offered are:

• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section III, Division 1: Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components
• Non-Destructive Examination - Applying ASME Code Requirements (Section V)
• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section VIII, Division 1: Design & Fabrication of Pressure Vessels  
• Inspection, Repairs and Alterations of Pressure Vessels  
• Combination Course: Section VIII, Division 1: Design & Fabrication of Pressure Vessels & Inspection, Repairs and Alterations of Pressure Vessels

  

New date and location: 
Barcelona, Spain, 07-11 December 2009
http://www.asme.org/Education/Europe/

Join us in Barcelona and bring back some practical expertise that will improve your daily professional life.
Course titles include:

• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section IX: Welding & Brazing Qualifications
• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section XI: In-service Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components
• API 579: Recommended Practice for Fitness-For-Service and Continued Operation of Equipment
• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section VIII, Division 2: Pressure Vessels
• Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code: Section III, Division 1: Class 1, 2 & 3 Piping Design

Register today and benefit from a significant discount on the registrations fee!

Testimonials from previous sessions:

"The best feature about the course was the instructor's expertise, who provided some information that is not necessarily detailed in the Code itself" (Anonymous - attended Section VIII Div 2 course in Stockholm, Sweden, June 2009)

"ASME training programme in Europe has given opportunities for more engineers to participate and to increase code awareness. The course also exposed me to more information on piping and provided strong insight into piping design" (Olabulo Adewale, Engineering, Head of Department at Oando PLC, Nigeria - attended B31.1 course in Stockholm, Sweden, June 2009)

In Partnership with
ALITUR (Associazione dei Laureati in Ingegneria di Tor Vergata, Università di Roma); BSMEE (Belgian Society of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering); Coordinamento Mecanica; DMS (Danish Society of Mechanical Engineers); FABI (La Maison de l'Ingénieur); IDA (Danish Society of Engineers); SNE (Spanish Nuclear Society).

 

Upcoming Courses

Other Educational Activities
ASME organises a variety of educational activities worldwide. Check the upcoming dates and locations and further your knowledge and ensure the next steps in your professional future.

For the online educational opportunities please click here

CONFERENCE AND EVENTS

ASME EMEA Events Calendar
See all the events in EMEA and select the event you want to attend.

DISTRICT AND COMMUNITY NEWS

ASME’s District H is proud to announce the first European Student Oral Competition. This competition emphasises the value of the ability to deliver oral presentation on a technical level. One theme will be defined and the students will present their project in front of an evaluation committee formed by ASME volunteers.

Date: 24 September 2009
Local: King’s College London, United Kingdom
The competition prizes for District H:

• First: $1000 and a trip to final competition at ASME’s IMECE
• Second: $150
• Third: $100
• Fourth: $50
• Best Technical: $50

Each District H section has the task to select students to represent them on the European finals. The District H competition will be limited to two entries per student section (in the case when there is no student section, possibly three entries per Senior Section in District H).

The overall winner of District H will be able to compete at the International Finals at ASME’s 2009 IMECE in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. The prizes at this competition are:

• First: $2000
• Second: $1500
• Third: $1000
• Fourth: $500

For more information, contact: info-europe@asme.org

ASME PUBLICATIONS

Book of the month

The Unwritten Laws of Engineering: Revised and Updated, by James G. Skakoon and W.J. King

This fully revised and updated edition of the 1944 classic, serves as a crucial compilation of "house rules," or a professional code.  It addresses three areas: what the beginner needs to learn at once; "laws" relating chiefly to engineering executives; and purely personal considerations for engineers. Packed with contemporary examples, this new volume is a must for those entering the engineering field or those interested in improving their professional effectiveness.

Buy Online: http://catalog.asme.org/books/PrintBook/Unwritten_Laws_Revised.cfm

Digital Library
The express resource for academic, institutional and corporate libraries.