With more than 50 years of experience in the nuclear industry, Cetim, Carnot-accredited technological institute, has become a key partner of all players in the Nuclear Industry.
The Center will be showcasing its expertise throughout the entire life cycle of today’s and tomorrow’s nuclear energy at WNE, the World Nuclear Exhibition, from November 28 to 30 in Hall 7, Booth C016, Parc des Expositions – Paris Nord Villepinte, France.
As France’s leading source of energy and third-largest industrial sector, with almost 220,000 direct and indirect jobs, nuclear power is a major industry in France. And its activity is becoming increasingly important! What are the challenges facing this industry in the years ahead? First and foremost, as part of the “Grand Carénage” programme, it will have to extend the lifetime and ensure the continuing operation of France’s existing nuclear power plants while retaining safety standards. The French nuclear industry will also have to lead new programmes, among which the EPR2, the Nuward small modular reactor, and the Cigéo project for geological disposal of French nuclear waste. Finally, to meet these challenges, it needs to further streamline its structure and ensure its transition towards the Industry of the Future, while guaranteeing the maintenance of its skills and expertise in a sector which will have to recruit more than 10,000 people every year between now and 2030!
Cetim across the entire value chain
For over 50 years, Cetim’s experts have used their multi-skilled know-how to support complex projects for major contractors as well as manufacturers who supply and integrate components into nuclear facilities. Cetim can draw on almost 60 years of expertise in materials, products and processes to meet the challenges associated with new reactors and face the issues connected with the through-life support (dependability, production capacity) and lifetime extension of power plants, and with the management of the fuel cycle.
With the support of its experts, Cetim helps the industry to manage nuclear power plants safely and efficiently throughout their life cycle, from design to decommissioning, in order to ensure a reliable supply of electricity at a competitive cost:
- Unique R&D capacity to support breakthrough innovations
- Design expertise: selection of the best technological solutions, digital twins
- Validation testing: samples, components and qualification or aging of complete equipment
- Support to industrial production: introduction of innovative manufacturing and inspection technologies
- In-service support: monitoring, residual life estimation, failure analysis and implementation of corrective actions
- Skills enhancement: Cetim Academy® training courses for qualification and certification in key technologies (welding, additive manufacturing, etc.)
Anticipating future demands
With its expertise in innovative processes, such as additive manufacturing and 4.0 technologies, Cetim also opens new avenues for players in the nuclear industry. “As part of a national programme with Gifas, Cetim has helped several hundred companies in the aviation sector move towards the industry of the future. Cetim offers the same approach to players in the nuclear industry”, notes Yann Goerger, Nuclear Market Manager at Cetim. Finally, the Cetim Carnot institute is a leader in mechanical engineering R&D. “Our close links with the nuclear sector enables us to observe and direct some of our activities to meet the future challenges of these players”.
What about training?
The Cetim Academy offer is a valuable complement to initial training in this sector. In 2022, Cetim won the contract to train nuclear safety inspectors in the field of Nuclear Pressure Equipment (NPE). On a more general level, courses focusing on “nuclear professions” are currently in preparation.
Nuclear power: a major theme for mechanical engineering!
Legislation has been put in place, first at national then at international level, establishing a strict framework to guarantee operation with maximum safety. As design, manufacturing and control operations are essential and inevitable, codes and standards have been developed. To address these issues, Cetim has launched the “New Maintenance and Nuclear Codes” Sector Strategic Project (SSP) in France, with the following objectives:
- Design, manufacture and inspection of fabricated equipment and components
- Scheduling or development of tools associated with codes and guidelines
- Maintenance and repair of piping and pressure equipment
- Collaboration on work in the nuclear sector
- Manufacture of equipment operated in hydrogen atmosphere
The formula is simple: one project, one working group made up of industrial manufacturers and Cetim experts, one manager!
Access to the working group of this SSP is reserved for Cetim members (to join the SSP, please contact sqr@cetim.fr).
To meet with our mechanical experts and trainers at WNE, please send an email to our experts.
