Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Grid
Natural Science/Math | Available (Membership Required)
How does Palo Verde generate electricity? How is PVNGS storing used fuel? What is the current state of nuclear power in the world? How does Palo Verde interact with the electric grid? The electricity grid is a complex and incredibly important system, and one of the most impressive engineering feats of the modern era. However, the addition of renewable energy requires the grid to handle these new, intermittent power sources. Can renewables alone provide the energy we need? How do operators reliably coordinate all the different sources of energy? Come find out how the grid works and why it sometimes does not work. Join us and find out more about these two engineering marvels.
Ken recently retired in 2020 after a 42-year Nuclear Power Plant Operation career. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ken joined the US Navy in 1976 and was an instructor at a unique nuclear prototype facility in upstate New York. He ended his tour as an electrician on a San Diego, California submarine. He worked at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo, California, for 36 years as an Electrician, Electrical Engineer, Senior Reactor Operator, and finally, instructor. He has a BS in Nuclear Technology from Excelsior College.