Public officials and representatives of AREVA were on hand today to cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the official opening of the AREVA U.S. Technical Center in Lynchburg, Va. The U.S. Technical Center is a major component of the AREVA Solutions Complex, comprised of eight service centers designed to help utility clients and equipment manufacturers meet the ever-increasing requirements for safe nuclear electricity production. With the addition of this new Technical Center, the AREVA Solutions Complex is now home to the most comprehensive and innovative nuclear testing capabilities in North America.
“I am pleased to welcome new jobs and economic development to Lynchburg,” said Rep. Robert Hurt (VA-5). “AREVA has long played an important role in job creation in the 5th District and I join in congratulating them on the opening of this facility, which ensures a continued commitment to supporting our community.”
“The opening of the U.S. Technical Center will provide the nuclear industry with the tools and information they need to continue operating their plants safely and efficiently,” said Rep. Bob Goodlatte. “This investment will be beneficial for economic and job growth in our region and represents AREVA’s continued commitment to the Lynchburg community.”
The U.S. Technical Center will be a key resource for AREVA’s Integrated Solutions, and is a welcome addition to AREVA’s world-wide testing capabilities. The solutions will enable utilities to address plant life extension, simplify procurement and inventory management of equipment and components and streamline their qualification, and develop performance improvement capabilities.
“We are very excited to open our doors today to the U.S. Technical Center,” said Michael Rencheck, president and CEO of AREVA Inc. “AREVA’s expertise and resources give us the unique ability to package engineering and services that can extend plant life and improve plant operations by providing high-quality, reliable and innovative solutions for our customers.”
The U.S. Technical Center offers full-service nuclear safety testing capabilities, including: a seismic analysis laboratory with a multi-axial shake table capable of testing items weighing up to 10 tons, environmental chambers to test the performance of components and products in harsh conditions, metallurgical and chemistry labs to evaluate material properties including a scanning electron microscope, and industrial ovens for thermal aging to support commercial grade dedication testing of safety-related components. The U.S. Technical Center testing capabilities are supported by AREVA’s Appendix B Quality Assurance Program, mechanical design engineering, specialty machining and fabrication activities also located at the AREVA Solutions Complex.
The project has added millions of dollars in procurement and facility modifications to repurpose this valuable facility following an earlier consolidation of the fuel line. Procurement will continue through 2015 in the Lynchburg area, leading to the creation of additional jobs. The expansion required for the development of the U.S. Technical Center began in February 2012.
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