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Beyond the grid
Craig Piercycpiercy@ans.org
In this month’s issue of Nuclear News, readers will find coverage of the “other” areas where nuclear technology is pushing into new frontiers. From marine nuclear propulsion to nuclear systems that enable planetary exploration, the articles in these pages are a reminder that the influence of applied nuclear science extends far beyond the electric grid.
When many people hear the phrase “civil nuclear technology,” they still think first of power plants—an understandable association. Nuclear power has been one of the most reliable sources of large-scale electricity for decades. It is our storefront.
But nuclear technology has always been bigger than electrons.
2020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting Plenary Session Speaker
Ken Canavan joined Westinghouse as the Chief Technology Officer in January of 2018. Westinghouse’s CTO role has strategic responsibility to drive next-generation technology and innovation solutions that align with the company’s global business strategy. Ken leads the Global Technology Organization (GTO), and is responsible for ensuring that the Westinghouse’s technology vision and business strategy are aligned.
Mr. Canavan brings 34 years of nuclear experience to the position – half utility plant experience and half research and development experience.
Having held progressively responsible leadership roles within the nuclear energy industry, Ken most recently served as Director of Engineering, for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). While at EPRI, he turned industry needs into compelling research and development plans. These plans resulted in solutions to improve the safety and performance of the global nuclear fleet.
Prior to his work at EPRI, Ken was responsible for risk and safety applications at Data Systems and Solutions and ERIN Engineering and Research. Ken’s utility experience includes work for GPU Nuclear at the Three Mile Island and Oyster Creek nuclear power plants primarily in risk and safety analysis with assignments in maintenance and operations. Ken began his career as safety analysis engineer with Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.
Ken holds a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering with a minor in nuclear engineering from Manhattan College.
Last modified October 22, 2020, 11:45am EDT
