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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Análisis de Tareas del Inspector de Control de Calidad [Quality Control Inspector Job Task Analysis (Spanish Translation)]

El Laboratorio Nacional de Energía Renovable (NREL) ha sido contratado por el Programa de Asistencia para la Climatización (WAP) del Departamento de Energía de EE.UU. (DOE) para desarrollar y mantener los recursos en el marco del proyecto de Directrices para Profesionales de la Energía Doméstica (GHEP). El objetivo del proyecto GHEP es aumentar la calidad del trabajo realizado para la remodelación energética residencial en Estados Unidos a través de WAP y otros programas de remodelación residencial. Para cumplir el objetivo de “Establecer certificaciones nacionales de la mano de obra y normas de formación”, el DOE encargó al NREL el desarrollo de recursos GHEP, incluido un conjunto de certificaciones avanzadas, basadas en aptitud, para el personal de los profesionales de la energía doméstica (HEP). Desde 2010, el NREL ha reclutado voluntarios expertos en la materia de WAP y de la industria del mantenimiento del hogar para que formen parte de comités que desarrollen y actualicen programas de certificación y sus análisis de tareas (JTA) necesarios como base de programas de certificación y formación estandarizados. Las certificaciones HEP apoyan al WAP y al sector del mantenimiento de viviendas residenciales en general mediante el proceso de acreditación y el desarrollo de JTA definidos para auditores energéticos (EA) e inspectores de control de calidad (QCI). Este informe es un resumen de las actualizaciones más recientes (2022) del JTA del QCI. [The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is contracted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to develop and maintain the resources under the Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals (GHEP) project. The purpose of the GHEP project is to increase the quality of work conducted for residential energy retrofits in the United States through the WAP network and other residential retrofit programs. This is the Spanish translation of NREL/TP-7A40-85789.]

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2019

The CNSC's Inspector Training and Qualification Program and its Importance to the Nuclear Industry - 19370

Trained, qualified, and designated staff at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) conduct inspections of licensed nuclear sites as a method of compliance verification. This paper will describe the unique and comprehensive qualification process for CNSC inspectors, known as the Inspector Training and Qualification Program (ITQP). The ITQP includes service-line-specific training that is unique to each inspection group within the CNSC, dependent on the facility/industry type. The training requirements specific to staff in the Wastes and Decommissioning Division and its impact on safety at waste management sites across Canada will be discussed. This paper will specifically identify the importance of CNSC inspector training and detail how the unique training program requirements enable the CNSC to better identify and encourage compliance among nuclear waste and decommissioning sites in Canada. CNSC inspectors are designated under section 29 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), and the powers of inspectors are outlined in section 32 of the NSCA. Having trained, qualified, and designated inspectors is paramount for both the CNSC and the nuclear industry. For the CNSC, this ensures that staff in the field are aware of potential hazards and how to mitigate such hazards (if applicable), that staff understand the regulatory framework and how to measure compliance against it, and that staff consistently apply CNSC values across the nuclear industry. For the industry, this ensures that staff present at nuclear facilities are knowledgeable and professional, that inspections are conducted in a consistent manner, and that any compliance actions issued are measurable and defendable against the regulatory framework. The CNSC's ITQP incorporates both theoretical (in-class and online) and practical training, and is broken down into six categories: mandatory training for all new employees; core training; service-line-specific training; on-the-job training; CNSC regulations training; and, recommended additional training. This paper will discuss in detail the specific aspects of each of these categories, the importance of each category including the difference between knowledge and skills acquired in theoretical versus hands-on training, and how CNSC staff in designated inspector positions (inspectors-in-training) progress through the program. The complete list of core training and service-line-specific training for inspectors in the Wastes and Decommissioning Division, including re-qualification requirements, will be explored throughout the paper. It is further important that CNSC designated inspectors undergo continuous learning to ensure that their skills remain up to date, as well as to ensure that inspectors requalify at defined intervals to enable the maintenance of the core knowledge and skills with which the determination of the person's qualification was based. The steps involved in this requalification process, as well as the importance of continuous learning and the maintenance of skills and knowledge will be further discussed. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Use of sustainability appraisal by English planning inspectors and judges

This article considers how sustainability appraisals (SA - an English form of SEA that also considers social and economic issues) are treated at the end of the plan-making process: by planning inspectors who review plans before they are adopted, and by judges in the case of legal challenge to plans and their SAs. It briefly describes the role of inspectors and judges, and how their decisions influence SA. It presents the conclusions of 81 planning inspectors' reports about local authority development plans and their SAs, including three cases where inspectors required further SA information and reasons given by inspectors for not challenging the legal adequacy of other SAs. The three main successful English legal challenges to SA are then summarised. Planning inspectors seemed prone, until recently, to not challenge even quite poor quality SAs. This seems to be changing in the wake of recent court judgements, and in turn is affecting planners' SA practice. However it is unclear whether these changes will affect only the procedural aspects of SA or also planners' and inspectors' 'hearts and minds'. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Inspectors tend to err in favour of the submitted plan, even where its sustainability or the quality of its SA is dubious. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer In contrast to inspectors, judges seem to be taking a broad and rigorous view of SEA requirements. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Planners and inspectors are changing their behaviour to avoid legal challenge.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Using Third-Party Inspectors in Building Energy Codes Enforcement in India

India is experiencing fast income growth and urbanization, and this leads to unprecedented increases in demand for building energy services and resulting energy consumption. In response to rapid growth in building energy use, the Government of India issued the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in 2007, which is consistent with and based on the 2001 Energy Conservation Act. ECBC implementation has been voluntary since its enactment and a few states have started to make progress towards mandatory implementation. Rajasthan is the first state in India to adopt ECBC as a mandatory code. The State adopted ECBC with minor additions on March 28, 2011 through a stakeholder process; it became mandatory in Rajasthan on September 28, 2011. Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh have started to draft an implementation roadmap and build capacity for its implementation. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) plans to encourage more states to adopt ECBC in the near future, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Delhi. Since its inception, India has applied the code on a voluntary basis, but the Government of India is developing a strategy to mandate compliance. Implementing ECBC requires coordination between the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Urban Development at the national level as well as interdepartmental coordination at the state level. One challenge is that the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), the enforcement entities of building by-laws, lack capacity to implement ECBC effectively. For example, ULBs in some states might find the building permitting procedures to be too complex; in other cases, lack of awareness and technical knowledge on ECBC slows down the amendment of local building by-laws as well as ECBC implementation. The intent of this white paper is to share with Indian decision-makers code enforcement approaches: through code officials, third-party inspectors, or a hybrid approach. Given the limited capacity and human resources available in the state and local governments, involving third-party inspectors could rapidly expand the capacity for plan reviews and broad implementation. However, the procedures of involving third-parties need to be carefully designed in order to guarantee a fair process. For example, there should be multiple checks and certification requirements for third-party inspectors, and the government should have the final approval when third-party inspectors are used in a project. This paper discusses different approaches of involving third-parties in ECBC enforcement; the Indian states may choose the approaches that work best in their given circumstances.

Yu, Sha↗
DOE OSTI2022

SchedInspector: A Batch Job Scheduling Inspector Using Reinforcement Learning

Improving the performance of job executions is an important goal of HPC batch job schedulers, such as minimizing job waiting time, slowdown, or completion time. Such a goal is often accomplished using carefully designed heuristics based on job features, such as job size and job duration. However, these heuristics overlook important runtime factors (e.g., cluster availability and waiting job patterns), which may vary across time and make a previously sound scheduling decision not hold any longer. In this study, we propose a new approach to incorporate runtime factors into batch job scheduling for better job execution performance. The key idea is to add a scheduling inspector on top of the base job scheduler to scrutinize its scheduling decisions. The inspector will take the runtime factors into consideration and accordingly determine the fitness of the scheduled job. It then either accepts the scheduled job or rejects it and asks the base schedulers to try again later. We realize such an inspector, namely SchedInspector, by leveraging the intelligence of reinforcement learning. Through extensive experiments, we show SchedInspector can intelligently integrate the runtime factors into various batch job scheduling policies, including the state-of-the-art one, to gain better job execution performance, such as smaller average bounded job slowdown (up to 69% better) or average job waiting time (up to 52% better), across various real-world workloads. We also show that although rejecting scheduling decisions may leave the resources idle hence affect the system utilization, SchedInspector is able to achieve the job execution performance improvement with marginal impact on the system utilization (typically less than 1%). We consider one key advantage of SchedInspector is it automatically learns to work with and improve existing job scheduling policies without changing them, which makes it promising to serve as a generic enhancer for various batch job scheduling policies.

Zhang, Di↗
DOE OSTI2013

Multifamily Quality Control Inspector Job/Task Analysis and Report: September 2013

The development of job/task analyses (JTAs) is one of three components of the Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project and will allow industry to develop training resources, quality assurance protocols, accredited training programs, and professional certifications. The Multifamily Quality Control Inspector JTA identifies and catalogs all of the tasks performed by multifamily quality control inspectors, as well as the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform the identified tasks.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2016

Training in Tbilisi nuclear facility provides new sampling perspectives for IAEA inspectors

Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control- (NPAC-) sponsored training in a “cold” nuclear facility in Tbilisi, Georgia provides International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors with a new perspective on environmental sampling strategies. Sponsored by the Nuclear Safeguards program under the NPAC, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) experts have been conducting an annual weeklong class for IAEA inspectors in a closed nuclear facility since 2011. The Andronikashvili Institute of Physics and the Republic of Georgia collaborate with PNNL to provide the training, and the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna provide logistical support.

environmental sampling↗
DOE OSTI2018

Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector Competency Model

The Energy Auditor (EA) and Quality Control Inspector (QCI) Competency model was developed to identify the soft skills, foundational competencies and define the levels of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) required to successfully perform the tasks defined in the EA and QCI Job Task Analysis (JTAs), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) used the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Competency Model Clearinghouse resources to develop a QCI and EA Competency Model. To keep the QCI and EA competency model consistent with other construction and energy management competency models, DOE and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory used the existing 'Residential Construction Competency Model' and the 'Advanced Commercial Building Competency Model' where appropriate.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Post-Fire Safe Shutdown Capability. An Inspector's Handbook. Draft Report

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) current fire protection regulatory framework was initiated in response to a cable fire that occurred at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Station in 1975. Following the issuance of several guidance documents, in 1981 the Commission codified deterministic requirements to provide reasonable assurance that fire would not jeopardize reactor safety (10 CFR 50.48 "Fire Protection" and Appendix R to 10 CFR 50). Since then, the results of plant operating experience, NRC inspection activities and cable fire testing programs have served to clarify the application of these requirements. In 2004, the NRC amended 10 CFR Part 50.48 to add a new subsection, 10 CFR 50.48(c), that endorses, with exceptions, the National Fire Protection Association's 805, "Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants — 2001 Edition," as a voluntary alternative for demonstrating compliance with Appendix R. To date, approximately half of all operating plants have transitioned to a risk-informed approach under 10 CFR 50.48(c). Regardless of the selected approach, each operating nuclear power plant should establish a comprehensive fire protection program that includes features needed to minimize the likelihood and consequence of firesl. To achieve this objective, fire protection programs integrate the NRC's long-held safety concept of defense-in-depth (DID) by providing multiple barriers against potentially unacceptable consequences of fire. To minimize the frequency and size of fires, the first lines of defense include controls for fire prevention, such as controlling combustibles and ignition sources and fire mitigation features, such as fire detection and suppression systems. In the unlikely event that a fire should start and continue to grow in spite of these features, appropriate fire protection features, such as fire-rated barriers are provided as necessary to ensure the accomplishment of essential shutdown functions. This handbook was specifically developed for NRC inspectors that may be assigned to perform elements of Inspection Procedure (IP) 71111.05T, "Fire Protection (Triennial)," including, (a) "Protection of Safe Shutdown Capabilities," (e) "Alternative Shutdown Capability," and (f) "Circuit Analyses." Thus, the document concentrates solely on the final element of defense-in-depth— ensuring reactor safety will not be compromised in the event of a serious fire. In addition to describing how the NRC's regulatory framework has evolved since the Browns Ferry Fire, the handbook illustrates the content and scope of various analyses typically referenced in a plant's fire protection licensing basis and includes techniques and insights for assessing the plant's conformance to those criteria.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Lizard-inspired Tube Inspector (LTI) Robot

This final report summarizes the research findings of the current project. This project is a collaboration between New Mexico State University (NMSU) as a lead (Recipient) and Arizona State University (ASU) as a Co-Recipient. Tubular structures are common components of boilers and heat exchangers in power plants. Over time, these components may suffer corrosion, cracks, and stress-corrosion cracks in either the body or the welded connections. A single tube leakage can cause an outage of several weeks. Regular inspection is a key safety factor when ensuring that power plants are maintained in reliable, operational condition. This inspection, however, is challenging, time-consuming, and in many cases impossible due to accessibility issues and safety concerns. Recent developments in robotic-based inspection can offer a great solution. Hard-to-reach places can be inspected without overhauling the unit, saving time and cost. Although several robots have been designed and implemented successfully for inspecting power plant components, in particular tubular structures, their mobility and flexibility are limited. Most of these robots use wheels for mobility which reduces their maneuverability of these robots. Moreover, they usually use magnets to attach to tubes which will not work on tubes with non-ferromagnetic materials. These robots usually carry measurement tools for a particular non-destructive testing (NDT) method such as ultrasound testing (UT) that requires a couplant to perform a point-by-point (scanning) inspection of the tubular structure. In this project, we developed a versatile lizard-inspired tube inspector (LTI) robot with embedded inspection sensing components for tube inspection which removes the need for point-by-point scanning of tube surface for crack and corrosion detection. Inspired by a “lizard”, the novelty of the current project is the integration of couplant-free ultrasound sensing and transmission, advanced data-driven defect detection and imaging, and friction-based mechanical mobility components in a single robot to eliminate a need for smooth surfaces and simple geometry for mobility and scanning. The LTI robot could replace the wheel-based approach with friction-based mobility to significantly increase the flexibility and maneuverability of the robot. The LTI robot can get into a power plant unit, such as a boiler, from a small area allowing it to access a component of interest for inspection (e.g., move on OD, curved and flat surfaces, non-ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic materials, and tubes with rough surfaces and complex geometries). Additionally, an advanced data-driven method using ultrasound data was pioneered to allow the robot to detect defects in the entire area between the robot’s multi-functional mobility system (grippers). Integrating a couplant-free ultrasound sensing in the robot’s grippers as well as using advanced data-driven methods allowed the LTI to detect defects in the entire cross-section of a tube using its grippers when stationary and when mobile.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quality Control Inspector Job Task Analysis

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is contracted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to develop and maintain the resources under the Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals (GHEP) project. The purpose of the GHEP project is to increase the quality of work conducted for residential energy retrofits in the United States through the WAP network and other residential retrofit programs.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Insights and Impacts of Credentials: Energy Auditor, Quality Control Inspector, and Certification Updates

Join this session to learn about recent and upcoming Home Energy Professional credential and resource updates from the National Renewable Laboratory (NREL) in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). NREL staff will provide an in-depth overview of improvements to the EA and QCI certification schemes. Be prepared to provide feedback and share new ideas in pursuit of continuous improvement within WAP. These certifications are critical to ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency within the Weatherization Assistance Program, helping to elevate the skills of professionals and drive the program's overall success.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Critical Skills at SRS Radcon Inspectors

This video series provides a first-hand look at critical skills positions at the Savannah River Site and required qualifications. Meet the people behind the jobs and learn what they do to support important SRS missions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector Certification Updates

This presentation discusses recent and future Home Energy Professional credential and resource updates at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in support to the U.S Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). It will provide an in-depth overview of planned improvements to the EA and QCI certification schemes.

certification↗
DOE OSTI2021

Statement of Work. Y-12 National Security Complex Security Infrastructure Revitalization Program Project - Combination Inspector

The Y-12 SIRP Quadrant 1, Quadrant 2, and Vehicle Barrier project involves the following summary elements. The perimeter intrusion detection and assessment system (PIDAS) is an existing system at the Y-12 National Security Complex, which is a government-owned facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and managed by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) for the Department of Energy (DOE). National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS) is the engineering design agent and construction manager (CM) for the Y-12 SIRP effort. The Quadrants 1 and 2 portion of the project involves the replacement of the PIDAS, and the vehicle barrier portion of the project involves the installation of a continuous passive vehicle barrier alongside the inner PIDAS fence.

42 ENGINEERING↗