Nuclear energy

The generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam which can power a steam turbine to generate electricity.

atomic energy
energy from nuclear reactions
atomic power
nuclear power
nuclear reactor energy
energy from atoms

knowledge

cross-sector

Nuclear energy is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Nuclear technician: Nuclear technicians function as aids to physicists and engineers in nuclear laboratories and power plants. They monitor the procedures to ensure safety and quality control, and maintain equipment. They also handle and control radioactive equipment and measure radiation levels to ensure safety.
Nuclear reactor operator: Nuclear reactor operators directly control nuclear reactors in power plants from control panels, and are solely responsible for the alterations in reactor reactivity. They start up operations and react to changes in status such as casualties and critical events. They monitor parameters and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Radiation protection officer: Radiation protection officers are responsible for the protection from harmful effects caused by exposure to ionising radiation. They ensure compliance with legislation and regulations by enforcing safety measures. Furthermore they develop radiation protection plans in particular for nuclear plants and facilities.
Power plant manager: Power plant managers supervise operations in power plants which produce and transport energy. They coordinate the production of energy in the plant, and supervise the construction, operation and maintenance of energy transmission and distribution networks and systems.
Nuclear engineer: Nuclear engineers plan and design engineering equipment and processes in nuclear plants and sites. They engage in engineering activities pertaining to nuclear power plants, and develop risk solutions.

Nuclear energy is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Dismantling engineer: Dismantling engineers research and plan the optimal way to dismantle industrial equipment, machinery and buildings that reached the end-of-life phase. They analyse the required work and schedule the various operations. They give team leaders instructions and supervise their work.

Chemical production manager: Chemical production managers are responsible for the technical coordination and control of the chemical production processes. They steer one or more manufacturing units and oversee the implementation of technical and human means, within the framework of objectives of volume, quality and planning. Chemical production managers design and ensure that the production plans and schedules are met. They are responsible for implementation of the processes designed to ensure quality of the manufactured product, good working conditions and environmental practices, and safety of the workplace.
Chemist: Chemists perform laboratory research by testing and analysing the chemical structure of substances.They translate the research results into industrial production processes which are further used in the development or improvement of products. Chemists are also testing the quality of the manufactured products and their environmental impact.
Construction general supervisor: Construction general supervisors keep track of the proceedings of all stages in the building process. They coordinate the different teams, assign tasks, and resolve problems.
Waste management supervisor: Waste management supervisors coordinate waste collection, recycling, and disposal facilities. They supervise waste management operations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards, and oversee staff. They aid in the development of waste management methods, aiming for increased waste reduction, and aid in the prevention of violations of waste treatment legislation.
Geological engineer: Geological engineers apply geological knowledge for the assessment of sites, soils, slope stability, sediments and other observable characteristics in the Earth. They integrate this information in the planning and development of projects in those places. They assess and answer questions concerning the geological characteristics of soils by performing research and experiments of the sites aimed to be intervened.
Instrumentation engineering technician: Instrumentation engineering technicians assist instrumentation engineers in the development of control equipment, such as valves, relays, and regulators, which can be used to monitor and control processes. Instrumentation engineering technicians are responsible for building, testing, monitoring, and maintaining of equipment. They use wrenches, beam cutters, grind saws, and overhead cranes to build and repair equipment.
Chemical engineering technician: Chemical engineering technicians transform raw materials in order to develop and test chemical products. They also work on improving chemical plant operations and processes.
Electricity and energy vocational teacher: Electricity and energy vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, electricity and energy, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a electricity and energy-related profession. Electricity and energy vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of electricity and energy through assignments, tests and examinations.
Dismantling supervisor: Dismantling supervisors monitor the operations involved in dismantling activities such as removing and possibly recycling industrial equipment and machinery or decommissioning of plants. The distribute the task among workers and supervise if everything is done according to safety regulations. If problems arise they consult with engineers and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Maintenance and repair engineer: Maintenance and repair engineers focus on the optimization of equipment, procedures, machineries and infrastructure. They ensure their maximum availability at minimum costs.
Manufacturing manager: Manufacturing managers plan, oversee and direct the manufacturing process in an organisation. They ensure products and services are efficiently produced within the timeframe and budget given.
Power production plant operator: Power production plant operators maintain and operate the equipment in power stations and other energy production plants. They repair faults, operate machinery directly or from a control room, and handle materials related to electricity production in compliance with safety and environmental procedures. They facilitate interaction between electrical energy facilities, ensuring that distribution occurs safely.
Commissioning engineer: Commissioning engineers supervise the final stages of a project when systems are installed and tested. They inspect the correct functioning of the equipment, facilities and plants to make sure they meet the requirements and specifications. They perform the necessary verifications and give approval to finalise the project.
Chemistry technician: Chemistry technicians monitor chemical processes and conduct tests to analyse chemical substances for manufacturing or scientific purposes. They work in laboratories or production facilities where they assist chemists in their work. Chemistry technicians perform laboratory activities, test chemical substances, analyse data and report about their work.
Waste management officer: Waste management officers advise and enforce regulations on facilities managing waste disposal, collection and recycling. They develop and implement rules and evaluate the compliance with existsing legislation.
Electrical engineering technician: Electrical engineering technicians work together with electrical engineers in electrical engineering research. They perform technical tasks and aid in the designing, testing, manufacturing and operation of electrical devices and facilities.

Demolition supervisor: Demolition supervisors monitor operations involved in the demolition of buildings and clean up of debris. They take quick decisions to resolve problems.
Health and safety engineer: Health and safety engineers design objects and programs by combining engineering principles and health and safety requirements. They envision the protection and well-being of the people using designed objects or performing work under designed health and safety programs. They assess facilities and the risks that they might pose (e.g. contaminant materials, ergonomics, handling of dangerous substances, etc.) in order to design and improve health and safety measures.
Environmental engineer: Environmental engineers integrate environmental and sustainable measures in the development of projects of various natures. They seek to preserve natural resources and natural sites. They work together with engineers from other fields to envision all the implications that projects might have in order to design ways to conserve natural reserves, prevent pollution, and deploy sanitary measures.
Mechanical engineering technician: Mechanical engineering technicians provide technical support to mechanical engineers in producing and manufacturing mechanical machinery. They help make designs and adjustments, and perform tests. They also develop layouts and drawings, collate and interpret data and write reports.
Test engineer: Test engineers plan and perform detailed quality tests during various phases of the design process to make sure that the systems are properly installed and function correctly. They analyse the data collected during tests and produce reports. They are also responsible for the safety of the test operations.
Civil engineer: Civil engineers design, plan, and develop technical and engineering specifications for infrastructure and construction projects. They apply engineering knowledge in a vast array of projects, from the construction of infrastructure for transportation, housing projects, and luxury buildings, to the construction of natural sites. They design plans that seek to optimise materials and integrate specifications and resource allocation within the time constraints.
Instrumentation engineer: Instrumentation engineers envision and design equipment used in manufacturing processes for controlling and monitoring various engineering processes remotely. They design equipment for the monitoring of production sites such as manufacturing systems, machinery uses and production processes.
Power plant control room operator: Power plant control room operators are responsible for the safe and proper operation of power plants, switchyards and associated control structures. They repair and maintain the involved machinery and equipment to ensure the plant’s efficient operation and to tackle emergency situations such as blackouts.
Chemical processing supervisor: Chemical processing supervisors coordinate the activities and the staff involved in the chemical production process, ensuring the production goals and deadlines are met. They control quality and optimize chemicals processing by ensuring defined tests, analysis and quality control procedures are performed.
Construction manager: Construction managers are responsible for the planning and coordination of the construction projects. They provide expertise in the design phase of construction projects by facilitating a better estimate of the costs and the functional implications. They participate on bid processes for construction projects and handle subcontractors to deliver the different stages of the construction process from beginning to completion. They strive to enhance the value of the projects both improving efficiency and creating value for customers.

References

1. Nuclear energy – ESCO