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TABLE OF CONTENTSMESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN 5BOARD OF DIRECTORS: SHAREHOLDERS 9MANAGEMENT 11THE TECNATOM GROUP 13HISTORICAL BACKGROUND. BRIEF DESCRIPTION 15THE GROUP IN FIGURES 19SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2015 23AREAS OF PRODUCTION 31 SAFETY, OPERATION AND TRAINING INSPECTION AND TESTING SERVICES TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTACTIVITIES IN 2015 45 SECTORS MARKETS FORUMS AND CONGRESSES TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION CORPORATE MANAGEMENTSUBSIDIARIES 85 METALSCAN M2M TECNATOM DO BRASIL TECNES TECNATOM USA TECNATOM CHINA CITEC IBERCAL

report on activities2015

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As in previous years, it is a pleasure for me to address you and submit the Annual Report on Tecnatom Activities, briefly summarising the most outstanding aspects of the company’s business throughout this last financial year.

Once again, Tecnatom has carried out its business within a particularly complex and changing scenario, characterised by the high volatility of the international markets, the slowing down of the Chinese economy, doubts regarding the evolu-tion of the emerging markets and a drop in the prices of raw materials. Especially significant has been the downward spi-ral of oil prices, with economic consequences that have been contradictory in certain cases and have simply increased instability and concerns, especially in the energy sector, which looks to the future with high levels of uncertainty.

In this context, which has tested our solidness and capacities, Tecnatom has successfully met the objectives and expecta-tions mapped out for 2015, and has once again demonstrated its capacity to adapt and respond, unleashing intense com-mercial efforts and identifying new business opportunities for the future.

On dealing with the evolution of Tecnatom by market areas, mention should first be made of our activity in the national nuclear sector, where we have incorporated new technology solutions that have contributed to enhancing the efficiency of our services. In this area it should be stressed that the pro-cess of renewing Framework Agreements with the Spanish nuclear power plants for the coming years has been success-fully concluded. These multi-annual agreements provide our

clients with a high degree of competitiveness as regards costs and budgeting stability, while allowing Tecnatom to plan its activities in the long term, thereby ensuring the availability of human and technical resources.

Tecnatom has also continued to collaborate actively with Enresa in the design of the Centralised Temporary Storage (ATC) facility, bringing to the activities already performed for that project a new contract for support engineering relating to the design of the said installation. Also on the domestic nuclear market, Tecnatom was awarded the supply of an automatic inspection system for the control of the quality of nuclear fuel at the Enusa manufacturing facility at Juzbado. This system, based on a passive scanner, has been developed using in-house technology and is currently one of the most advanced nuclear fuel quality control systems in the world.

The most significant event from the corporate point of view has been the inauguration of the extension to our headquar-ters in Madrid. The new building is equipped with a large area for the manufacturing and assembly of automated inspection systems, especially for the aviation sector, and also has areas specialising in the development of new technologies such as laser-based inspection systems o systems for the automatic full-scale inspection of major components. It also houses the nuclear power plant Emergency Support Centre (ESC), man-aged by Tecnatom.

Another relevant milestone on the corporate scene, in keep-ing with our strategy of geographical diversification, has been the constitution of Tecnatom Abu Dhabi. The fundamental

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

6

objective of this subsidiary, fully owned by Tecnatom, is to strengthen our implementation on the United Arab Emirates market, promoting and supporting with local resources the technology and services of Tecnatom aimed at the power generation, aeronautical and oil & gas sectors.

The presence of our company on the international nuclear market is increasingly significant, and throughout 2015 we have continued to strengthen our position as a supplier of high-tech services, equipment and products. Important activ-ities have been undertaken in a number of countries, among them countries as important as China and the United States. Our activity in Brazil and Argentina has been especially intense. In the latter, Tecnatom will supply jointly with Enusa a passive scanner similar to the one mentioned above for the manufac-turing facility belonging to Conuar, the company in charge of manufacturing all the nuclear fuel for the Atucha and Embalse nuclear power plants.

Particularly significant in Europe has been our entry into two new countries: Slovenia and Poland, in the first leading the project for the supply of the emergency control room for the Krsko plant, operated by Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško (NEK). For this same client, Tecnatom has also performed control rod (RCCA) inspections at the aforementioned plant. Both projects were won among strong international competition.

The novelty that a country’s launching a nuclear programme implies for the European nuclear sector makes the case of Poland especially relevant. The Polish Government plans to build the country’s two first nuclear power plants with a view to overcoming the nation’s dependence on coal and the compliance of the European emission directives. Tecnatom is the company selected to train more than 80 professionals involved in the development of this programme.

Mention should be made of the fact that throughout the year services have been rendered and equipment supplied to 29 countries, within the framework of more than 80 con-tracts, this pointing clearly to the level of internationalisation achieved by the company.

The 2015 financial year has also been characterised by the important progress made in the diversification strategy undertaken by Tecnatom several years ago, with a view to adapting our know-how and technology developments to new markets, taking advantage of the synergies provided by the high quality and safety standards of the nuclear industry.

Especially relevant is Tecnatom’s presence on the aeronau-tical market, where we have become a genuine reference as regards advanced inspection engineering systems, making our technology available to the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. We undertake all activities relating to inspec-tion engineering in the aviation sector, including the design, manufacturing and supply of fully automated or portable

THE 2015 FINANCIAL YEAR HAS ALSO BEEN CHARACTERISED

BY THE IMPORTANT PROGRESS MADE IN THE DIVERSIFICATION

STRATEGY UNDERTAKEN BY TECNATOM SEVERAL

YEARS AGO

7

non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection systems for qual-ity control during manufacturing or maintenance activities. Firm orders have been placed for systems by clients such as COMAC and Harbin (China), Airbus and Stelia (France), Finmec-canica-Leonardo (Italy), Songwol (South Korea), CTRM Rotary (Malaysia), Sonaca (Rumania) and TAI (Turkey), corroborating the high degree of competitiveness of our products on a global and highly competitive market.

On the power generation market, and more specifically in rela-tion to combined cycle plants, Tecnatom was awarded a con-tract by Gas Natural Fenosa for the development of a simulator for that company’s Tuxpan combined cycle plant in Veracruz (Mexico). For its part, the Japanese company MITSUI has awarded us a contract for optimisation of the alarms systems of the Rio Bravo II, III and IV combined cycle plants in the north east of Mexico.

Mention should also be made of our progressive presence on the thermal-solar renewables market, where we offer our cli-ents an integral inspection, training and operations support service optimising the management of this type of plants. The development of simulators for thermal-solar plants in Chile and South Africa has been the most significant milestone in this area. We have also achieved an important contract in this last country for the training of the personnel of the Kusile ther-mal power plant.

I should like to mention especially the subsidiaries and partly owned companies that make up the Tecnatom Group. Their location and specialisation contribute strongly to the efficiency of the business group and to ensuring closer relationships with the client to whom we provide services across the world. Dur-ing this last year, It should be emphasised the results of M2M, Tecnatom do Brasil and Ibercal which have made a significant contribution to the Group’s results, consolidating our backing for the process of internationalisation.

Behind all these activities there is a solid corporate culture based on strong ethical principles and guided by two clear objectives, both closely linked: our desire to offer constantly improving solutions to the demands of our clients and our per-

manent backing for innovation and technology development, as the strategic vector on which to base our competitiveness.

This support for In-house R&D and the promotion of inno-vation in all our processes has also been in evidence over the course of this last year, as is reflected by the fact that the budget set aside for these activities amounted to more than 10% of turnover.

I am convinced that as regards the above we can count on the talent and enthusiasm of the magnificent professionals who make up the Tecnatom Group. I should like to thank them all for their collaboration and express my recognition of a job well done. They are the true architects of what Tecnatom is today.

I should also like to thank our national and international cli-ents for their loyalty and for the trust they place in our Group and in the technical capacity that we place at their disposal in order to offer them the best possible solutions.

Finally, I should like to thank our shareholders for the sup-port they have given our project over the years, a project that is also theirs and that constitutes our greatest incentive to continue to work with the greatest enthusiasm towards the achievement of our goals.

Mr. Jesús Ciruelos FunezMr. Jesús Sanjuán Bertet

(Replaces Mr. Víctor Sola Gutiérrez on February 2016)

MEMBERS

Mr. Francisco José López GarcíaMr. Félix Rojo Sevillano

DEPUTY CHAIRMANMr. Juan María Moreno Mellado(Replaces Mr. José María Grávalos Lasuen on February 2016)

CHAIRMAN Mr. Antonio F. Alonso Ramos

9

10%15%

30%

45%

BOARD OFDIRECTORS:

SHAREHOLDERSENDESA GENERACIÓN, S.A.U.

IBERDROLA GENERACIÓN NUCLEAR, S.A.U.GAS NATURAL SDG, S.A.

TREASURY STOCK (TECNATOM, S.A.)

45%30%15%10%

ENDESA

IBERDROLA

GAS NATURAL FENOSA

TREASURY STOCK

Mr. José Miguel Granged Bruñen

SECRETARY AND LEGAL ADVISOR Mr. Agustín Tejedor Velarde

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Mr. Juan Bros Torras(Replaces Mr. Emilio González

Álvarez on February 2016)

DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS

Mr. José Manuel Mourín Valcárcel

DIRECTOR OF INSPECTION AND TESTING SERVICES

Mr. Javier Alonso Chicote

GENERAL MANAGER Mr. Fco. Javier Guerra Saiz

MANAGEMENTDIRECTOR OF

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Mr. José Román Fernández Míguez

DIRECTOR OF SAFETY, OPERATION AND TRAINING

Mr. Francisco J. Sánchez Álvarez

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS STRATEGY

AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Juan Ortega Delgado

DIRECTOR OF ORGANISATION, SYSTEMS AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Mrs. Coral González Manteca (Replaces Mr. Javier Brime González

on September 2015)

13

THE TECNATOM GROUPParisM2M

MadridHeadquarters

SERTECTECNES

Ibercal

TarragonaTechnical support centre

Vandellós NPPTraining centre

Cofrentes NPPTraining centre

Trillo NPPTraining centre

Sta. María de Garoña NPPTraining centre

Almaraz NPPTraining centre

Ascó NPPTraining centre

SPAIN

Rio de JaneiroTecnatom do Brasil

BRAZIL

USAWilmington (Delaware)Tecnatom USA

SuzhouCITEC

ShenzhenCITEC

CHINA

BilbaoIbercal

Chalonsur SaôneMetalscan

BeijingTecnatom China

FRANCE UNITED ARABEMIRATES

Abu DhabiTecnatom Abu Dhabi

15

The Studies Service run by Banco Urquijo in the 1950’s to sup-port and promote the development of new industrial activities recommended that the use of nuclear energy be analysed for power generation in Spain. Jaime Mac Veigh was its principal founder.

In 1960 Tecnatom carried out a preliminary 60 MW nuclear power plant project for Unión Eléctrica Madrileña. One year later, the Madrid electricity utility petitioned the Government for permission to build a 160 MW plant in the town of Almonacid de Zorita, in the province of Guadalajara.

In early 1964 the full project was submitted to the Ministry of Industry, which endorsed and authorised it in July, entrusting Tecnatom with its execution.

Construction began on July 6th 1965, and from then until 1970 Tecnatom devoted all its efforts to what was to be the first Spanish nuclear power plant, José Cabrera NPP.

The National Electricity Plan, drawn up in 1969 and amended in 1972, envisioned the implementation of 15,000 MW of nuclear power coming from 11 units. In order to provide the services that such a fleet would require, in 1973 Tecnatom became an integral engineering company, mainly in the areas of training and inspection, for the seven electricity utilities participating in the Spanish nuclear programme: Compañía Sevillana de Elect-ricidad, Electra de Viesgo, Fenosa, Fuerzas Eléctricas de Cata-luña, Hidroeléctrica Española, Iberduero and Unión Eléctrica Madrileña, which became its owners.

Two simulators were acquired to provide adequate training ser-vices on each technology: PWR, pressurised water reactor, and BWR, boiling water reactor. For the inspection area, equipment was purchased for the examination of major components (reac-tor vessel and steam generators) and other essential items.

In order to house both its simulators and its inspection equip-ment, Tecnatom transferred its headquarters to San Sebastián de los Reyes in 1978.

In the 1980’s, Tecnatom focused on developing its own tech-nology, gradually reducing the acquisition of technology from outside and fostering in-house investments in R&D&i to guar-antee technological independence.

As a result, the company’s activities grew and diversified, lead-ing to more staff recruitment. The company went from having 140 employees in 1980 to almost 450 in 1986.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDBRIEF DESCRIPTION

16

First Tecnatom headquarters at San Sebastián de los Reyes

IN THE 1980’S, TECNATOM STRENGTHENED ITS

RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL

ORGANISATIONS WITH A VIEW TO FUTURE

INTERNATIONALISATION

The Spanish nuclear moratorium was approved in 1984, par-alysing forecasts for growth on the domestic market for a lengthy period of time.

As from that time, the company’s participation in different forums and contacts and relations with different international organisations (IAEA, INPO and EPRI among others) were inten-sified and at the beginning of the 1990’s the internationalisation strategy initiated during the previous decade was formalised. As a result, percentages of overseas activity of close to 40% were achieved.

With the advent of the new century, Tecnatom initiated the construction of the new full-scope simulators for the Spanish nuclear power plants (each plant was required to have its own simulator). In some cases it was decided that they be placed close to the plant sites. Thus, and in order to install the simula-tors for the Ascó and Vandellós plants, new premises were built in Tarragona, which also became an operations and training support centre for the technical staff of the Catalonian plants. The centre was officially opened on June 25th 2003. A similar approach was applied to the rest of the Spanish nuclear power plants, with technical assistance centres and training schools at the Almaraz, Cofrentes, Sta. Mª de Garoña and Trillo plants, respectively.

17

THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS HAVE BECOME A NATURAL STAGE FOR TECNATOM ACTION

In this way, the international markets have become a natural stage for Tecnatom’s day-to-day activities, as is reflected by the fact that over the last decade pro-jects have been carried out in the United States, Japan, Sweden, Finland, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Argen-tina, Mexico, the Eastern European countries, Russia, Ukraine, China, the Arab Emirates, etc. and the compa-ny’s working methods have been validated by different international clients and regulatory authorities.

The majority of the national and international clients of Tecnatom belong to the nuclear industry, however it is necessary to empha-size the growing importance of the clients coming from the thermal PP, petrochemical PP, combined cycle PP, renewable PP and related industries such as the aeronautical, where synergistic technologies are applied together with the ones Tecnatom has developed for the nuclear industry.

As part of its technology and market diversification strategy, in 2004 Tecnatom completed the process of acquiring the French Non-De-structive Testing (NDT) company Metalscan. Given Metalscan’s shareholding in Multi2000 (M2M), another French company created for the development and marketing of state-of-the-art ultrasonic inspection systems, Tecnatom also took over management of the latter.

In 2007, the year of the fiftieth anniversary of its constitution, and together with the Chinese company CNPRI, Tecnatom created CITEC, an inspection services company that operates on the growing Chinese market.

Tecnatom’s participation in the supply of control rooms and simula-tors for Chinese nuclear power plants and of simulators for plants in Brazil and Argentina also position the company on the international map for the rendering of such services.

In keeping with what has been set out in the preceding paragraphs, Tecnatom’s view of the future is consolidated through an increasingly active presence on certain target markets (technological and geo-graphical). This has led Tecnatom to become a business group with subsidiaries and/or partly owned companies on these target mar-kets, with the creation of Tecnatom do Brasil, Sertec, TECNES, Tecnatom China, Tecnatom USA and Tecnatom Abu Dhabi and the acquisition of Ibercal.

H.M. King Juan Carlos 1st signs the golden book of José Cabrera nuclear power plant

19

THE GROUP IN FIGURES

Companies Share capital(thousands of euros)

Own funds(thousands of euros)

Sharehol ding%

Parent company TECNATOM, S.A. 4,026 65,603 100

Subsidiaries

METALSCAN (FR) 1,200 2,216 100

M2M (FR) 2,000 5,510 53.45

TECNATOM do BRASIL (BR) 371 668 90

TECNES, S.L.U. (ESP) 50 93 100

SERTEC, S.L.U. (ESP) 3 159 100

IBERCAL, S.L.U. (ESP) 3 388 100

TECNATOM USA, Corp. (USA) 2 (41) 100

TECNATOM CHINA, WFOE (RPC) 236 244 100

Partly owned CITEC (RPC) 24,077 26,254 25

Other entities

UTE-TECNATOM, GAS NATURAL (ESP) 4 4 35.90

UTE-TECNATOM, WESTINGHOUSE, ENUSA (ESP) 18 88 33.33

AIE-SPANISH NUCLEAR GROUP FOR COOPERATION (ESP)

24 65 25

20

2013 2014 201558,626

117,992 122,066 122,778

Consolidated magnitudes(thousands of euros)

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 117,992 122,066 122,778

EBITDA 14,365 13,450 13,979

Result of Dominant Company 4,475 1,556 2,179

TURNOVER(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

EBITDA(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

14,365 13,450 13,979

THE FIGURES ACHIEVED STRENGTHEN THE GROUP, REINFORCE ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION AND CONFIRM OUR STRATEGIC BACKING FOR DIVERSIFICATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION

21

2013 2014 2015

2013 2014 2015

34,519 36,119

58,62664,02762,661

136,716

67,770159,745

149,788

GROSS FIXED ASSETS(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

OWN FUNDS(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

AMORTISED FIXED ASSETS(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

EXTERNAL FINANCING(THOUSANDS OF EUROS)

Consolidated magnitudes(thousands of euros)

2013 2014 2015

Gross fixed assets 136,716 149,788 159,745

Amortised fixed assets 58,626 62,661 64,027

Working capital 28,731 26,377 26,817

Own funds 67,770 69,354 71,533

External financing 34,519 36,119 37,040

Leverage 0.51 0.52 0.52

External financing/EBITDA (No of times) 2.4 2.7 2.6

37,040

69,354 71,533

23

JANUARY

• Tecnatom has been awarded a contract for the revision of supports during maintenance outages at the Gas Natural Fenosa (GNF) combined cycle plants in Mexico. The service includes the inspection, revision and calibration of piping springs at GNF plants currently in operation in Mexico, and will be carried out in collaboration with the industrial group Grupo Ibero Americano Industrial. The plants covered by this contract being Naco Nogales, Tuxpan, Hermosillo and Norte-Durango.

• Tecnatom has been awarded a framework contract for integral snubber maintenance services at Cernavoda NPP in Rumania. This framework contract and encompasses all activities relating to both mechanical and hydraulic snub-bers.

• Tecnatom achieves a contract for the ATC facility. Along with Gas Natural Fenosa Engineering, Tecnatom has been awarded a contract to provide engineering support in the design of the Centralised Temporary Storage (ATC) facility at Villar de Cañas (Cuenca).

• New fuel inspection equipment for China. Enusa and Tec-natom have reached an agreement with the Chinese nuclear fuel manufacturing company CJNF (CNNC Jianzhong Nuclear Fuel) for the supply of a new fuel inspection sys-tem for its factory in Yibin, in the province of Sichuan. This equipment will be for the quality control, by Non-Destruc-tive Testing, of the fuel rods manufactured at this facility.

• New contracts in Argentina. The month of January has seen the formalisation and effective launching of work relating to two new contracts awarded to Tecnatom by Nucleoeléctrica

Argentina (NA-SA). The first of these is for the development and supply of an ultrasonic inspection system for fuel chan-nel nozzle welds at Embalse nuclear power plant, while the second is for the PET and WIND inspection systems sup-plied by Tecnatom previously.

FEBRUARY

• EU project for advisory services to the Chinese Regula-tory Authority. Various Tecnatom organisations have been participating in the European Commission project (INSC Project CH3.01/11) “Enhancing the capacity and regulatory capabilities of the Chinese National Nuclear Safety Admin-istration (NNSA) and its Technical Support Organisation (NSC)”, aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Chi-nese Regulatory Authority in different areas of its compe-tence.

• A new aeronautical system for China passes its FAT. The robot-operated inspection system that Tecnatom is supply-ing to one of its reference aerospace clients on the Asian continent, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd (COMAC), China’s largest manufacturer of airliners, has suc-cessfully completed its acceptance tests. This is a twin-ro-bot system for ultrasonic through transmission (TTU) and pulse-echo inspection that was awarded last year. This twin-robot system is capable of inspecting complex geom-etry sandwich and laminated parts in three dimensions and incorporates up to 14 axes, this guaranteeing complete con-trol of the parts.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2015

24

• Inspection of the new vessel head at Tihange 3. Tecnatom has completed the pre-service inspection of the new ves-sel closure head of group 3 of the Tihange nuclear power plant, in Belgium. This work was part of a contract awarded by the French multinational AREVA, the manufacturer of the component, that includes the pre-service inspection of two replacement vessel heads: the one already mentioned for Tihange 3 and another for group 4 of the Doel plant. The component integrity examinations carried out within this project include the performance of Non-Destructive Tests based on ultrasonic, eddy current, penetrant liquid and visual techniques in different areas of the component.

MARCH

• Coral González, new Tecnatom Director of Organisa-tion. Coral González has joined the Tecnatom Group man-agement team as Director of Organisation with a view to collaborating in the Group’s development stage. Coral González is an industrial engineer by the Polytechnic Uni-versity of Madrid and an MBE by IESE, and has wide expe-rience in different fields of consulting, labour relations and human resources. Throughout her professional career she has occupied relevant posts in different companies, among them the consulting firm HAY, Sanitas, PeopleMatters and Prosegur.

• Collaboration agreement with NuScale. Tecnatom has signed an agreement with NuScale, a manufacturer of small modular reactors. This collaboration will focus on areas such as training, the design and development of operating aids, the development of operating procedures and the design and development of man-machine interfaces, among oth-ers. NuScale was set up to design and commercialise small modular reactors, each of 45 MWe, with plants having up to 12 such modules giving a maximum electrical output of some 550 MW.

• Tecnatom will supply the emergency control room for Krško (Slovenia). The consortium formed by Tecnatom and Idom has been awarded the project for the supply of an emergency control room for the Krško plant in Slovenia, operated by Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško (NEK). This supply is included in phase 2 of the safety upgrade programme ini-tiated by Krško nuclear power plant to adapt the facility to the new European standards.

APRIL

• ANAV and Tecnatom have signed a new framework agree-ment for the rendering of inspection, training and oper-ations support services and other work for the Ascó and Vandellós II nuclear power plants.

• Tecnatom will undertake internal dosimetry at El Cabril. The Tecnatom Internal Personal Dosimetry Service (SDPI) has been awarded a contract with the national radioactive waste management agency ENRESA (Empresa Nacional de Residuos Radiactivos S.A.) for the routine control of the annual internal dosimetry of the personnel of the El Cabril low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal facil-ity, which is owned by ENRESA. The contract contemplates

ENRESA low and intermediate level radioactive waste storage facility at El Cabril

25

Home page of the new Tecnatom website for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services and products

uous efforts to offer innovative solutions adapted to their needs.

• Tecnatom achieves two new training contracts in the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Nuclear Energy Corpora-tion (ENEC) has awarded a new contract to Tecnatom, on this occasion for the development of the accident manage-ment programme, including the revision of severe accident guidelines, the drawing up of extensive core damage guide-lines and the management of mobile plant equipment.

• Inspection at Santa María de Garoña NPP. Tecnatom has performed the inspection of the control rod drive mecha-nism (CRDM) housings using both ultrasonic and eddy cur-rent techniques.

MAY

• New corporate NDT products website. At the 13th national NDT congress held in Seville, Tecnatom pre-sented its new website, which specialises in the products developed by the company for Non-Destructive Test-ing. The website provides a solution to the need for a centralised medium showcasing the progress made in developing products for NDT applications, which are part of the technology underlying the automated integrated inspection systems manufactured by Tecnatom for use in inspection activities or for sup-ply to clients.

the dosimetry surveillance of all the personnel at the facil-ity by means of a whole body counter installed in a mobile unit, allowing for its deployment at the El Cabril installa-tions.

• Inspection at Vandellós II. Tecnatom has initiated inspec-tion work during the refuelling outage at Vandellós II NPP. In addition to the normal inspections and tests carried out during refuelling outages, Tecnatom heads the Integrated Refuelling Activities Service for the management of work performed inside containment and having a direct impact on the critical path.

• Tecnatom News is born. Tecnatom has begun to distribute the new Tecnatom News among its habitual clients. This international publication comes about as an upgrade of the newsletter Tecnoticias, which for many years has reported on Tecnatom’s activities abroad. Tecnatom’s commitment to a growing group of clients at international level, requires the promotion of its projects to be maximised and closer relations with the clients, making them part of the contin-

TECNATOM EMERGES ONTO THE SLOVENIAN NUCLEAR MARKET WITH THE SUPPLY OF THE EMERGENCY CONTROL ROOM FOR KRSKO

26

• Inspections in Sweden. Within the framework of the RTID project, Tecnatom has carried out the mechanised ultra-sonic inspection of various recirculation nozzles at group 1 of Ringhals NPP. A novelty has been a design modification to the equipment to include the eddy current method as the inspection technology.

• Inspections and testing at Angra 1 nuclear power plant (Brazil). Within the framework of the multi-annual contract awarded to Tecnatom by Eletronuclear for the performance of inspections and testing at the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, the mobilisation of the equipment and per-sonnel necessary for the services to be performed during outage 1P21 has now begun. These services include the eddy current inspection, sludge lancing and visual inspection of the secondary side of the steam generators; the diagnosis of motor-operated valves; the maintenance and diagnosis of air-operated valves and the ultrasonic inspection of primary circuit piping welds.

JUNE

• Tecnatom performs the tear-down of A400M components. Following the certification of Tecnatom under the UNE-EN 9100 (manufacturing work) and UNE-EN 9110 (maintenance work) standards, in relation to the aerospace sector, and as part of the Framework Agreement for the rendering of services between Tecnatom and Ensia Expert, S.L., NDT inspections have been carried out on the A400M aircraft for AIRBUS. Various components were inspected as part of the process known as tear-down (inspection of certain pre-viously cut and disassembled aircraft components following a period of fatigue testing).

• The SICOM-UT equipment supplied to the company CGN (China Guandong Nuclear Power Group) as a result of the collaboration between Enusa and Tecnatom has success-fully completed SAT testing. SICOM-UT is a mechanical system designed by Tecnatom for the detection of leakage in fuel using ultrasonic techniques with Tecnatom’s SONIA, InspectView and SIROCO UMAC technology.

• Gas Natural Fenosa has awarded Tecnatom the develop-ment of a simulator for its Tuxpan combined cycle plant (Veracruz – Mexico), of Mitsubishi technology. The simula-tor will be developed using Tecnatom in-house technology and will provide a high level of fidelity in the response of the TECNATOM IS APPLYING

ITS TECHNOLOGY IN PARTICULARLY

DEMANDING AREAS, SUCH AS THE AEROSPACE SECTOR

Airbus A400M aircraft

27

Tecnatom presents the Argentinean Minister Julio de Vido with a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the Atucha II simulator, supplied by Tecnatom

process. This is the scalable speed passive scanner concept already commercialised successfully by both companies in Brazil. The second agreement covers the development and commercialisation of automatic metrology equipment for fuel assembly skeletons. This equipment will make it pos-sible to improve the metrology processes for the quality control of fuel assemblies, automating several processes and consequently increasing the efficiency of the manufac-turing plants.

• Valve diagnosis at Laguna Verde. Tecnatom has been awarded a contract for the diagnosis of motor-operated and air-operated valves during the refuelling outages at Laguna Verde NPP scheduled for October-November 2015 and March-April 2016. Tecnatom has been providing this service to the Mexican plant continuously since 2009.

SEPTEMBER

• Inauguration of the Atucha nuclear power plant training centre. A Tecnatom delegation has attended the inaugura-tion and start-up of the Qualification Centre at the Atucha site in Argentina, attended by high-ranking government officials and national nuclear sector authorities. This centre will provide operations support to the Atucha 1&2 plants currently in operation and to the forthcoming groups planned in the same area, such as the SMR CAREM25 modular reactor currently under construction and a new 800MW PWR plant. This centre now includes the Atucha2 full-scope simulator developed by Tecnatom, which was placed in commercial operation during the event. A com-memorative plaque was presented to the Minister of Plan-ning, Julio de Vido, on behalf of Tecnatom, in recognition of the excellent performance by all the Argentinean insti-tutions in the successful start-up of the Néstor Kirchner (Atucha 2) plant.

simulated systems, the control system and the operations interface. This platform will be an important tool for operator training and will be capable of simulating a wide variety of normal, malfunction and emergency operating scenarios.

• New simulator award. Abengoa has awarded Tecnatom the simulator for its Atacama-1 thermal-solar plant (Chile). This tower technology plant has a power level of 110MW and uses an advanced storage system that allows it to generate elec-tricity for 17.5 hours without direct solar radiation. This is the fourth thermal-solar simulator project undertaken by Tec-natom, the third for the company Abengoa, and constitutes a challenge due to its being the first simulator that Tecnatom will build for a tower type plant.

• Tecnatom will optimise the alarms system of 3 combined cycle plants. Tecnatom has been awarded the contract for the “Optimisation of the Alarms System of the Rio Bravo II, III and IV Combined Cycle Plants”. The 3 plants, which together have a power output of 1,490 MW, belong to MITSUI and are located in the State of Tamaulipas, in the North-East of Mex-ico. The number of alarms to be analysed amounts to approx-imately 22,000.

AUGUST

• New Enusa – Tecnatom agreements. Enusa Industrias Avan-zadas and Tecnatom have strengthened their business rela-tionship through the signing of two new agreements for the development and commercialisation of nuclear fuel inspec-tion equipment. The first agreement covers the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of a system for certifi-cation of the quality of nuclear fuel during the manufacturing

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OCTOBER

• Tecnatom has held a new open day, which enjoyed great success in terms of participation, attracting almost 550 peo-ple. The success of the day was possible thanks to a large group of volunteers who took care of both logistical and technical aspects.

• Official inauguration of the new Tecnatom facilities in San Sebastián de los Reyes. The ceremony marking the official inauguration of the new Tecnatom facilities took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Economy and Inno-vation of the Regional Government of Madrid, Rocío Albert López-Ibor, and the Mayor of San Sebastián de los Reyes, Narciso Romero, attended by more than 100 guests and the Chairman of Tecnatom, Antonio Alonso. In her speech, the Deputy Minister of the Regional Government of Madrid underlined the fact that “Tecnatom is the type of company that the Regional Government of Madrid is interested in backing, since it is today a clear example of efficiency and diversification towards other sectors, a company that has known how to adapt to a changing environment”. The Mayor of San Sebastián de los Reyes declared: “Tecnatom is part of the Spain brand, associated with the technological fore-front”.

• Training of professionals in Poland. Tecnatom has organised and delivered two seminars on nuclear energy to more than 60 professionals involved in the development of the nuclear programme of the Republic of Poland. The seminar covers

all aspects of the nuclear cycle and consists of classroom sessions complemented with visits to Spanish nuclear facil-ities. Aspects such as simulation methods, nuclear safety, security procedures, radiological protection, efficiency in generation, the social perception of nuclear energy and good practice in the industry’s interrelations are a few of the disciplines dealt with in this seminar.

• Inspection of the BR2 reactor vessel (Belgium) - Tecnatom has successfully completed the inspection campaign on the vessel of the BR2 experimental reactor at the SCK-CEN research centre in Belgium. The scope of this project includes the inspection of the vessel welds and the adapta-tion of the automatic inspection equipment to the specific characteristics of this reactor. The scope also included the development of inspection procedures and qualification of the equipment. The inspections were performed automati-cally using ultrasonic, eddy current and visual techniques.

• Supply of equipment to Kozloduy (Bulgaria). Kozloduy nuclear power plant, in Bulgaria, has awarded Tecnatom a contract for the supply of two test benches for the in-ser-vice functional testing of all the hydraulic snubbers installed at the plant. The test benches consist of a moving bridge, which may be displaced by means of hydraulic cylinders, load cell couplings, an actuator for the different snubber models, a control module and software.

Moment during the inauguration of the new Tecnatom facilities at San Sebastián de los Reyes

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BR2 reactor at the SCK-CEN research centre, in Belgium

TECNATOM HAS EXTENDED ITS FACILITIES AT SAN

SEBASTIÁN DE LOS REYES IN SUPPORT OF ITS

DIVERSIFICATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION

STRATEGY

NOVEMBER

• Tecnatom has participated in the refuelling outage at Angra 2 nuclear power plant in Brazil. In collabo-ration with Westinghouse, a large number of control rod, vessel, bimetal weld, primary piping weld and steam generator inspection activities have once again been carried out.

• Tecnatom has successfully completed the in-service inspection of the reactor vessel closure head pene-trations at the Doel 2 plant, in Belgium. This project, carried out in collaboration with Westinghouse, has been performed using the STAR system, developed by Tecnatom and especially designed for assessment of the integrity of the J-Groove weld between the penetration tube and the vessel head itself.

• Coinciding with the general maintenance outage at the Bahía Bizkaia combined cycle plant, Tecnatom has carried out an intensive inspection campaign on various plant components. Several thousand tita-nium tubes in the main condenser were inspected by means of eddy current Non-Destructive Testing techniques, using equipment developed by Tecnatom, and manual Non-Destructive Testing inspections were performed in different areas of the boiler and condenser, as well as on BOP (steam entrainment) line welds.

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The mission of the Safety, Operation and Training Division (DSOF) is to contribute, through technology development and the application of its services, to providing the clients with a highly qualified and reliable organisation and personnel and the best resources to facilitate the operation of the facility, with the emphasis on improved safety, availability and economic efficiency.

The clear vocation of the division is to offer integral services to its clients close to their facilities, promoting new activities, developing its collaborators professionally and searching for efficiency through innovation.

The areas of activity of the division are detailed below:

NUCLEAR TRAINING

One of the areas that has most evolved in recent years is the one in charge of the training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel, due mainly to the on-going handover from one gen-eration to the next. The transfer of know-how from the more experienced personnel to the newcomers, the reinforcement of safe behaviours, systematic training programmes designed specifically to ensure the necessary competence in the different plant job posts and the progress made in information-commu-nication technologies (ICT’s) applied to training have consti-tuted the main channels of this change in recent years.

Tecnatom provides integral training services, the final objec-tive of which is the incorporation of highly qualified personnel capable of skilfully performing in their job posts at the plant and maintaining these skills at the highest level. In this respect the nuclear training area is responsible for the processes of recruit-ing, selection, contracting and training of candidates for safe-ty-related posts at the plants, as well as for the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of the initial and on-going training processes for these personnel.

In greater detail, the training services include the following:• Design, organisation and management of training centres.• Drawing up of training manuals and design of training

profiles, applying all the phases of the SAT (Systematic Approach to Training) methodology in the areas of oper-ation, radiological protection, engineering, maintenance, chemistry and contractor qualification.

• Design and development of advanced teaching resources (human factors training simulator, training tools based on virtual reality, etc.).

• Personnel recruiting and selection.• Analysis, design, development, implementation and eval-

uation of the processes of initial and on-going training of personnel performing safety-related activities at nuclear power plants: operation, radiological protection, engineer-ing, maintenance and chemistry.

• Training aimed at nuclear managers and regulatory bodies.

AREAS OF PRODUCTIONSAFETY, OPERATION

AND TRAINING

32

• Training consulting projects.• Master degree (UPM, UPC) programmes and post-graduate

courses.• International “nuclearisation” and “certification” pro-

grammes.• Training via the virtual campus (“e-learning”).

More than 560 training units are available, along with a team of more than one hundred and fifty highly qualified instructors and thirty specialists guaranteeing a training based on practi-cal reality and adapted technologically to the specific needs of each client.

With a view to maintaining the quality standards of the training services at the highest level, Tecnatom has in place an agree-ment for the transfer of know-how and methodologies with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). This agree-ment contains activities aimed at the training of Tecnatom instructors, supervision, tutoring and coaching activities, the development of teaching materials and participation in bench-marking activities, etc.

OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND EMERGENCIES

This area is oriented towards providing support services for the operation of electricity-generating stations and assistance in the event of a nuclear emergency, undertaking specialist activ-ities in specific areas that constitute part of the integral service provided to its clients.

The services include the following:• Development, updating and validation of operating, mainte-

nance, radiological protection and chemistry procedures.• Revision and validation of licensing documents: safety

reviews, surveillance procedures, OTS’s and surveillance requirements.

• Operating experience applicability analysis.• Development and updating of severe accident management

guidelines and development of management tools.• Development of Extensive Damage Mitigation Guidelines

(EDMG’s).• Updating and maintenance of emergency plans and design

and implementation of emergency drills.• Support during emergencies, with the help of the subsidiary

TECNES, via the Emergency Support Centre (CAE), which includes a centralised equipment store and an intervention unit.

• Development of computer tools supporting emergency management for the plant technical support centres.

• Consulting and advisory services on radiological protec-tion and licensing within the framework of projects for the design and construction of buildings for the ATC facility and other industries (waste reprocessing and management plant, NORM).

• Internal personal dosimetry services as the centre homolo-gated by the regulatory body (Nuclear Safety Council), direct internal dosimetry, dosimetry measurements and dose assignment, indirect internal dosimetry (bioelimina-tion), support for NPP’s during refuelling outages and emer-gencies.

Staff of the Emergency Support Centre (CAE), managed by Tecnatom

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TECNATOM HAS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF

SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES

The simulation services include the following:• Supply of simulators of different types and scope

depending on the training objectives: basic prin-ciples, partial and full-scope, control room repli-cas, based on simple platforms (PC type).

• Graphic man-machine interface for classroom training and control room replica.

• Designed for training and engineering.• Simulation of electricity-generating processes:

nuclear, thermal, combined cycle, hydroelectric, thermal-solar and electrical installations.

• In-house technology based on best estimate engineering codes widely validated with plant data and model generating tools (model build-ers).

• Support to the CSN for internal personal dosimetry ser-vices in the event of radiological emergencies or incidents at national level, at radioactive or nuclear facilities.

• Drawing up of operating and maintenance procedures for fossil fuel, combined cycle and renewable energy sources plants.

• Design and updating of training documentation and course deliv-ery to the personnel of fossil fuel, combined cycle and renewable energy sources plants.

• Training based on simulators and other teaching resources.• Support in the operation and start-up of new non-nuclear systems

and plants (fossil fuel, combined cycle and thermal-solar).• General plant technical support service with specialists qualified in

different areas (maintenance, emergencies, radiological protection, dosimetry, chemistry, procedures, consulting projects, etc.).

The area is equipped with training modules associated with its areas of competence and highly qualified people for the delivery and per-formance of plant support activities guaranteeing, on the one hand, training and qualification based on practical realities and, on the other, a quality service adapted technologically to the specific needs of each client.

CONTROL ROOMS AND SIMULATION

Simulation is a key technology in initial and on-going training and engi-neering processes. The experience accumulated over more than 30 years in activities associated with simulation has increasingly been applied also to new national and international markets and to sectors other than the nuclear.

The need for technology independence, along with continuous invest-ments in research and development and the desire to satisfy the spe-cific needs of our clients, have led Tecnatom to avail itself of in-house simulation system design and development capacities in the areas of training and engineering support.

Simulator for the training of personnel

34

TECNATOM HAS ITS OWN METHODOLOGY FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF SIMULATORS AND CONTROL ROOMS

• Simulator updating and modernisation services with new applications such as the instructor’s console and new dis-tributed control systems.

• Replacement of signal input/output system and simulation model server.

• Simulator operation and maintenance.• Implementation of simulator configuration control manage-

ment systems.• Corrective and modificational maintenance of operating

simulators.• Evaluation and analysis of plant modifications through

implementation on the simulator prior to placing in service, using a directly applied in-house SAE (simulator-assisted engineering) methodology, and validation and adjustment of new digital I&C systems and operating aid systems (com-puterised procedures, alarms filtering, etc.).

• Simulator testing and validation to guarantee its certifica-tion.

• Safety analysis support.• Validation of operating procedures.• Validation of new control rooms (HFE/HSI systems).• Joint support with Tecnatom nuclear training personnel in

the analysis of plant transients, working as part of a team with the plant personnel.

The control rooms of new reactors and the modernisation of existing plants require a rigorous design adhering faithfully to the steps and objectives of the standards in use. For the per-formance of this activity the control rooms division has an in-house design methodology and tools supporting and opti-mising these designs. As a result of the above, it provides the following services:• Design and supply of new control rooms or control room

items (emergency panels, alternative panels, etc.) on the basis of the functional analysis of systems, assignment of functions and task analysis.

• Design of man-machine interface and design verification and validation.

• Modernisation of I&C systems existing at the facility.• Modernisation and redesign of operating control rooms.• Support for the design, verification and validation of plant

modifications (with the simulator as the validation plat-form).

• Verification and validation of digital control systems.• Design and implementation of computerised operations

support systems (COSS) (design, development, installation and verification and validation).

• Design of safety parameter display systems.• New plant process computer installation projects.• Development of new advanced alarm filtering systems.• Diagnosis systems (failures and/or incidents).• Computerised procedures systems.

TESIS+ system, developed by Tecnatom for the processing of digital and analogue signals

SAFETY MANAGEMENT

The objective of this area of activity is to provide high added value services supporting the man-agement of installations and activities in sectors in which safety is essential (nuclear, aviation, pet-rochemical, rail, shipping, health, etc.) in the development and application of additional leadership, safety culture and organisational learning skills (performance improvement) within an integrated safety management system.

Safety management services include the following:• Integrated safety management systems.• Culture change leadership projects.• Evaluation and improvement of the organisational and safety culture.• Development of coaching skills for leaders.• Development of leadership for safety.• Training in soft skills.• Human error prevention, notification, measurement and root cause analysis programmes.• Integrated organisational learning / performance improvement model.• Evaluations, self-assessments, independent reviews, effectiveness reviews, evaluation

of results, training of evaluation teams, evaluation management and partial evaluation support in accordance with models established by INPO, WANO, IAEA and others.

• Behaviour observation programme improvement.• Improvement of programmes for the detection and notification of problems, minor

events, near misses and the corrective actions management programme.• Implementation or improvement of a model for the development of lessons

learned from industry events, refuelling log. Support in implementation.• Development of overall or partial operating experience programmes, implemen-

tation of improvements to existing programmes.• Delivery of courses and application of root cause (HPES y MORT), apparent

cause and common cause analysis methodology.• Performance of and support for internal and external apparent cause analyses.• Establishment of improvement programmes for “thinking enga¬ged organisa-

tions”.• Implementation of micro-mobile-learning tools.• Tracking indicators, trend analysis.• Self-assessments and benchmarking.

36

NEW REACTORS

The participation of an engineering company in new reactor projects is possible only if it has been present in such projects from the very start. This has been the strategy adopted by Tecnatom since the 1990’s, and provides the added value of being able to apply the know-how and technologies developed through these projects to the modernisation of the fleet of nuclear power plants currently in operation.

Since that time, Tecnatom has collaborated in the FOAKE (First Of A Kind Engineering) programmes associated with the General Electric ABWR and ESBWR advanced reactors and the Westinghouse AP600 and AP1000. At present, Tecnatom has a long-term collaboration agreement in place and a signif-icant number of instructors certified by Westinghouse for the development and delivery of training modules and courses on systems associated with AP1000 technology for different job posts, its participation in the VC Summer and Vogle projects in the United States and Sanmen and Haiyang in China being particularly noteworthy.

Also significant are the activities performed during the design, construction and start-up of Lungmen nuclear power plant (ABWR) in Taiwan and participation in the South Texas Project 3&4 (ABWR/TOSHIBA-USA).

The availability of technological resources has allowed Tec-natom to participate in generation IV advanced reactor projects (such as the PBMR in South Africa) and to collaborate in the Jules Horowitz European research reactor (JHR) and the ITER fusion reactor project.

Finally, mention may be made of the activities carried out at new plants under construction, such as the design and man-ufacturing of control rooms and operating aid systems for the Fuqing 1&2 and 3&4, Fangjiashan 1&2 and Hainan 1&2 (CPR1000/CNP600) plants in China, including the design of the operations display screens, the computerisation of proce-dures, alarms analysis (prioritisation and filtering), verification and validation and start-up support.

Also noteworthy is our participation in the design and manu-facturing of the control room for the Yangjiang 5&6 plants in China and the services for training and the development of the emergency plan and severe accident management and exten-sive damage mitigation guidelines for the Barakah plant in the United Arab Emirates.

Continuing with this line of activity, and on the basis of the experience acquired, the new reactors division is responsi-ble for developing, coordinating and strengthening strategies associated with integral new nuclear reactor engineering, sim-ulation and training projects.

The new reactors services include three courses of action:• Promotion and development of integral services on the

overseas market.• General coordination with the client.• Coordination and promotion of synergies between the par-

ent company and the different international subsidiaries that make up the Tecnatom group.

Our commitment to effective leadership contributes to the safe operation of the facilities

37

INSPECTIONAND TESTING

The mission of the Inspection and Testing Division (DSIP) is to supply high-tech services and products aimed at verifying the structural integrity and improving the operation of power and industrial facilities and aircraft, contributing to their operating under optimum conditions of safety, availability and economic effectiveness to the complete satisfaction of the client, in a profitable manner and ensuring long-term viability.

The objectives of the division are to supply services in an inte-gral and safe manner and with the highest levels of quality, availability and flexibility, assuming and anticipating the needs of the clients, committing to the professional development of its personnel and collaborators and striving continuously to achieve excellence and efficiency in the technological innova-tion of its processes and equipment.

Described below are the activities undertaken by the division with a view to fulfilling its mission and achieving its objectives.

INSPECTION

This area covers overall the activities required to ensure the structural integrity of the main components of nuclear and thermal power plants, industrial facilities, aeronautical compo-nents, etc.

The services include mainly the following:• Analysis of the applicable standards and operating experi-

ence of the industry.• Development and validation of techniques and their appli-

cation by means of qualified Non-Destructive Testing tech-niques.

• Qualification and validation of the inspection systems used in the rendering of services: equipment, procedures and personnel.

• Performance and evaluation of Non-Destructive Testing inspections, generally at the clients’ premises but gradually extending the scope of remote evaluations, sending data via Internet.

• Analysis of the critical components inspected, aimed at life-time management for the long-term operations of plants.

TIME automatic nuclear reactor vessel inspection equipment

38These services are applicable mainly to the following:• Critical nuclear power plant components (reactor vessel,

steam generators, pressuriser, steam turbines, alternators, condensers and heat exchangers, piping, containments, control cluster rods and fuel assemblies).

• Critical conventional and renewable energy thermal power plant and industrial facility components (boilers, steam and gas turbines, alternators, heat exchangers, piping, pressure vessels and aerogenerator blades).

• Aircraft structural components, habitually made of compos-ites, during the final phase of manufacturing and periodic reviews.

• High demand or criticality rail infrastructure and rolling stock equipment and components.

• Quality control by means of Non-Destructive Testing in the manufacturing of components for the electrical and aero-space sectors and industry in general.

TESTING

This area covers overall the verification and diagnosis of the operability of the main components and systems of power sta-tions, in particular nuclear and thermal power plants, and indus-trial facilities.

The services include mainly the following:• Analysis of the applicable standards and operating experi-

ence of the industry.• Development and validation of techniques and qualification

of testing and diagnosis procedures.• Testing of containment isolation and integral leaktightness

components.• Diagnosis of motor and air-operated and check valves.• Integral PWR plant pressuriser safety valve advisory, main-

tenance and testing services.• Maintenance and inspection of supports and snubbers.• Analysis, interpretation and evaluation of the results

obtained.• Thermal efficiency measures and energy audits.• Maintenance and repair of the nuclear instrumentation sys-

tem.• Design, manufacturing, supply, calibration and maintenance

of equipment, sensors and instruments for testing and diag-nosis.

These services are applicable mainly to the following:• Critical nuclear power plant components (reactor vessel,

steam generators, pressuriser, steam turbines, alternators, motors, transformers, electrical cables, heat exchangers, piping, supports and snubbers, valves, penetrations, con-tainments, locks and dampers, ventilation and air filtering systems and instrumentation systems).

• Critical thermal power plant and industrial facility compo-nents (boilers, steam and gas turbines, alternators, motors, transformers, condensers and heat exchangers, piping, sup-ports and snubbers).

Valve diagnosis system

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TECNATOM UNDERTAKES CRITICAL COMPONENT LIFETIME

MANAGEMENT STUDIES FOR THE LONG-TERM OPERATION OF

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.

• Materials analysis laboratory.• Development and management of the engineering asso-

ciated with ageing management and long-term opera-tion programmes.

• Establishment of technical, quality and safety require-ments applicable to equipment and spares.

• Dedication of equipment in accordance with interna-tional recommendations and international nuclear stand-ards.

• Development of nuclear safety-related equipment envi-ronmental and seismic qualification programmes, includ-ing the performance of activities for extension of the qualified lifetime of equipment originally installed at the plants.

• All the tests required by these qualification programmes, including design basis accident (LOCA) simulation tests.

COMPONENT ENGINEERING

This area covers activities such as the assessment of integrity, functionality, remaining lifetime and extended operation. It also has as an objective the development and supply of equipment and spares for nuclear and conventional power plants, along with asso-ciated specialist services such as the environmental qualification of nuclear safety class equipment or the dedication of commercial off-the-shelf equipment for use in nuclear power plants.

The services include mainly the following:• Analysis and direct advisory services for industrial facilities

regarding the application of industry standards and operating experience.

• Development, implementation, tracking and control of inspec-tion programmes.

• Analysis of the results obtained and structural assessment.• Faults analysis. Repair or replacement proposals.• Inspected component and system lifetime management stud-

ies.• Development, maintenance and operation of data-processing

systems for the management of code and standard consulting services, operating experience and in-service inspection and testing.

HUSH device for valve cavitation reduction

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TECNATOM DEVELOPS SOLUTIONS TO RESPOND TO THE

OBSOLESCENCE OF ORIGINAL PLANT EQUIPMENT

• Development of technical solutions for the resolution of original plant equip-ment obsolescence, including the performance of inverse engineering for the characterisation of equipment and spares by repairing or upgrading the orig-inals, maintaining their qualification.

• Design, manufacturing, acceptance, supply, installation and maintenance of specialist equipment and spares for the plants.

• Specialist stores advisory, management and optimisation services.

These services are mainly applicable to the following:• Critical nuclear power plant components (reactor vessel, steam generators,

pressuriser, steam turbines, alternators, condensers and heat exchangers, piping, containments, fuel assemblies, supports and snubbers, valves, pene-trations, alternators, motors and other electrical and I&C components).

• Critical conventional and renewable energy thermal power plant and indus-trial facility components (boilers, steam and gas turbines, alternators, heat exchangers, piping, supports and snubbers).

• Safety process and control valves, including their drives (electrical and air-op-erated).

• Qualified (class 1E) and conventional specific design low and medium voltage electrical motors and generators.

• Low and medium voltage electrical, control and I&C containment penetra-tions for nuclear power plants.

• Safety-related (class 1E) electrical power, control and I&C cables for nuclear power plants.

• Control room equipment.• Stationary safety batteries for nuclear power plants.• Temperature sensors (RTD’s and thermocouples) for severe nuclear power

plant environments.• Various qualified and dedicated consumable materials (sealing systems,

junction boxes, elastomeric gaskets, etc.).

LOCA chamber for component qualification programmes

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TECHNOLOGY, LOGISTICS AND RESOURCES

This area covers activities providing support for the Tecnatom Group operations organisations and related companies. It car-ries out horizontal functions aimed at optimising resources and improving operations. It also performs special high-tech projects relating to all inspection and testing services.

The services include mainly the following:• Development of technology relating to inspection and test-

ing services.• Engineering and advisory services, development of new

inspection techniques and procedures and technology transfer.

• Promotion of innovation and technological surveillance of inspection and testing services.

• Interface with the Technology and Product Development Division (DTDP).

• General coordination of operations as regards accesses, works management and integral activities services at nuclear power plants during refuelling outages.

• Participation in inspections as a backup for the operations organisations and for the introduction of new inspection techniques or procedures.

• Training, qualification and certification in Non-Destructive Testing.

• Maintenance, calibration and management of the entire fleet of equipment for the performance of inspection and testing services.

• Probe and equipment calibration services in accordance with different industrial, nuclear and aeronautical stand-ards, both in the laboratory and in-situ.

• Calibration services in different areas of metrology. ENAC accredited laboratory for flow, temperature and pressure.

These services are applicable mainly to the following:• Critical nuclear power plant components, including ITER

(reactor vessel, steam generators, pressuriser, steam tur-bines, alternators, condensers and heat exchangers, piping, containments, fuel assemblies, supports and snubbers).

• Critical conventional and renewable energy thermal power plant and industrial facility components (boilers, steam and gas turbines, alternators, condensers and heat exchangers, piping, supports and snubbers).

• High demand or criticality rail infrastructure and rolling stock equipment and components, along with components for the aeronautical and aerospace sectors and industry in general.

Remote system for steam generator tube inspection

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TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Automatic control rod inspection system

The need for the best technology tools for the performance of Non-Destructive Testing inspection services requires a clear decision to develop in-house products in the fields of elec-tronics, mechanics, computer science and ultrasonic or eddy current techniques. Within this framework of technology inde-pendence and leadership, Tecnatom has generated its own line of business through its Technology and Product Development Division (DTDP), commercialising from basic instruments or components to complex robot-operated systems.

The evolution of this business throughout 2015 has been highly positive and in the coming years it will be consolidated as one of the Tecnatom Group’s main lines of activity, thanks to the support of the subsidiaries and access to different strategic markets with strict quality control and safety-related require-ments, such as the aeronautical and nuclear fuel manufacturing sectors.

The different areas of activity of this business area are detailed below:

ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

This area is responsible for the development of ultrasonic equipment and systems and has the following functions:• Technology development, production and supply of ultra-

sonic instruments and associated computer applications.• Development and supply of ultrasonic systems used for the

inspection of nuclear, industrial, power system and railway components, including the corresponding ultrasonic tech-niques.

• Development of Non-Destructive Testing techniques for the inspection of aeronautical components and of automatic inspection systems based on laser ultrasonics techniques.

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EDDY CURRENT TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

This area is responsible for the development of inspection equipment, sensors and systems based on the eddy current method and addresses the following activities: • Design and manufacturing of electronic instruments, sensors and

computer applications and development of basic and advanced inspection techniques based on this method.

• Development and supply of inspection systems for critical nuclear and industrial sector components.

• Design, manufacturing and supply of a wide variety of eddy current probes, both catalogue and client specification based.

MECHATRONICS

Mechatronics and production is the organisation responsible for mechanical and control engineering and the production of the nuclear and aeronautical equipment designed and manufactured by Tecnatom.

The production area is in charge of coordinating and designing all indus-trial operations relating to the products and systems manufactured, from the search for new suppliers to the transport of the equipment to the client’s facilities and including the issuing of purchase orders, the assembly of systems and the subcontracting of services to third party companies.

Within the engineering area, work goes on continuously in relation to the standardisation and modularisation of equipment and components, the management of product information in the automation of design processes and the correct integration of design processes with produc-tion processes.

Tasks relating to production, commercialisation and after-sales services for aeronautical component inspection systems are undertaken by this area, with support from the division’s other organisations (NDT tech-nique development, NDT instrumentation, etc.).

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

This area is responsible for the development of inspec-tion techniques, equipment and systems based on alternative methods and has carried out projects and activities relating to the following:• The development of emerging inspection methods

and techniques, especially gamma and those based on infrared thermography and vision.

• Support for other divisions, strategic alliances and the development and commercialisation of inspec-tion systems for the manufacturing of fresh nuclear fuel.

• Technological support for testing services through technology development and the updating of equip-ment and systems.

• Support for the management in managing corpo-rate technology innovation, protection of intellec-tual property, public R&D&i project financing and technological surveillance policies.

R&D IS A PART OF TECNATOM’S DNA, WITH INVESTMENTS IN THIS AREA REACHING 10% OF THE COMPANY’S TURNOVER

Electronics board of an inspection system developed by Tecnatom

45

35%

54%

9%

2%

ACTIVITIES IN 2015SECTORS

This section describes the most significant activities undertaken in 2015 by sectors.

The diagram included below shows the per-centage of volume of sales distributed among the different sectors in which Tecnatom has carried out activities over the course of the year.

The largest volume of work continues to take place in the domestic nuclear sector. The refuelling outages of the Spanish reac-tors have given rise to a slight increase in the volume generated with respect to the previ-ous year. In the case of the overseas nuclear market, special mention may be made of the contribution made by China to the results for the year with a 9.5% of the turnover.

Also noteworthy is the consolidation of the aeronautical and industrial markets, with turnovers similar to those recorded the pre-vious year.

NATIONAL NUCLEAR 59,163,614 €

FOSSIL AND RENOWABLE FUELS

2,491,568 €

AERONAUTICS /INDUSTRIAL

9,063,347 €

OVERSEAS NUCLEAR 38,085,646 €

THE REFUELLING CYCLES OF THE SPANISH NUCLEAR REACTORS HAVE REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS ON THE NATIONAL MARKET

46

8%

15%

6%

15%

56%MARKETS

Detailed below are the activities carried out on Tecnatom’s target markets: energy-related and industrial. In view of its complexity and size, the first of these has been sub-divided into geographical areas.

ENERGY IN SPAIN

During 2015 there were five refuelling outages on the national nuclear market (Almaraz II, Trillo, Ascó I, Cofrentes and Van-dellós II), concentrated in the months of April-July (3 outages) and October-December (2 outages), this having required important efforts by Tecnatom in order to provide a quality service to the clients.

Particularly noteworthy in the fossil fuels sector (thermal and combined cycle), in addition to the classic training activities, are those activities that are aimed at supervising the integrity of equipment and increasing the service lifetime of compo-nents, as well as improving both human performance and plant safety.

Detailed below are the most important activities carried out in 2015:• More than 120 technicians undergoing training at the differ-

ent Tecnatom training centres, these having required the start-up of around 30 different training plans, thereby pro-viding a timely response to the demand for the initial and on-going training of the current and future personnel of the Spanish nuclear power plants.

• Maintenance of high levels of success in licence prepara-tions, with 5 reactor-turbine operator licences and 5 super-visor licences having been obtained for the Ascó, Almaraz and Vandellós II nuclear power plants.

ENERGY IN EASTERN EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA

ENERGY IN SOUTH AMERICA AND AFRICA

ENERGY IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

ENERGY IN SPAIN

INDUSTRIAL

47

• Holding of the annual training session, attended by the training managers of the Spanish nuclear power plants and companies in the sector.

• Delivery of several courses on technology, operation, mainte-nance and simplified root cause analysis for the leading elec-tricity utilities, most especially Endesa, Gas Natural Fenosa and Viesgo.

• Rendering of technical operations support services to Vandellós NPP and operating experience support services to Ascó, Van-dellós and Almaraz plants.

• Development and adaptation of procedures and guidelines deriv-ing from post-Fukushima activities for Ascó and Vandellós nuclear power plants, to be performed over a period of three years.

• Performance of integrated scope exercises by the CAE interven-tion unit at the Cofrentes and Ascó nuclear power plants, with the participation of the Military Emergency Response Unit (UME) at this latter plant. Furthermore, the CAE was activated in order to verify the correct operation of the communications coinciding with the emergency drills at the Ascó, Cofrentes and Trillo plants.

• Delivery of remote training courses for thermal and hydroelec-tric plants.

• Support for the internal dosimetry service during the 2015 refuelling outage at the Trillo, Vandellós II and Almaraz plants, for José Cabrera NPP, the El Cabril facility and the Radioactive Activities Coordination Service (SCAR) of the Regional Govern-ment of Catalonia.

• Workshops for the development of manager coaching skills for the Almaraz and Trillo nuclear power plants.

• Tutoring on simplified root cause analysis at Gas Natural Fenosa combined cycle gas plants.

• Accompaniment in supervision-observations processes at multiple facilities (Cofrentes, Almaraz, Trillo, José Cabrera).

• Delivery of a course on excellence in human performance for ENUSA personnel.

• Supply of a TESCAN passive scanner for quality control during the fuel manufacturing phase at the ENUSA Juz-bado facility.

• Support for ENUSA with human factors personnel at the Juzbado nuclear fuel manufacturing facility.

• Development of the ATC facility design support engi-neering project for ENRESA.

• Ending of the detailed design of the ATC facility cask maintenance workshop for ENRESA.

• Awarding of a contract for the supply of 8 simulators for training on exit from zero power in the Endesa offshore area.

• Awarding of a contract for operation of the Anllares ther-mal power plant personnel training simulator (Gas Natu-ral Fenosa).

• Performance of a study of a performance monitoring and optimisation system for the Lada thermal power plant (Iberdrola).

Human factors simulator for personnel training at the plants

TECNATOM HAS RESPONDED TO THE HEAVY DEMAND

FOR TRAINING IN VARIOUS SECTORS, WITH ALMOST 12,000

INDIVIDUALS TRAINED AND QUALIFIED LAST YEAR

48

• Developing of the fourteenth edition of the master in elec-tricity generating technologies course, organised by the Polytechnic University of Madrid in collaboration with Tec-natom, attended by 10 trainees, and inauguration of the fif-teenth.

• Inspection of the three steam generators at the Almaraz II and Ascó I nuclear power plants and of one steam generator at Vandellós II NPP.

• Eddy current inspection of the thimbles at Ascó I nuclear power plant using the Thinuset equipment.

• Inspection of the threaded zones of the vessel bolts at Trillo nuclear power plant using the Pinzor/Tamzor new automatic equipment.

• Diagnosis and maintenance of air-operated valves at the Almaraz II, Ascó I and Vandellós II nuclear power plants.

• Maintenance and setting of pressuriser safety valves at the Almaraz II, Ascó I and Vandellós II nuclear power plants.

• Diagnosis and maintenance of motor-operated valves at Almaraz II nuclear power plant.

• Inspection of electrical cables within the framework of life-time management programmes at the Almaraz, Trillo and Vandellós nuclear power plants.

• Holding of the 13th annual Maintenance, Testing and Inspec-tion Session with representatives of the Spanish nuclear power plants, electricity utilities, ENUSA and UNESA.

• Delivery for operation of the switchyard simulator for the Endesa Los Guinchos plant (La Palma).

• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection of the steam tur-bines of Endesa thermal power plants.

• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection of equipment and components and eddy current inspection of condenser tubes at the Bahía Bizcaia Electricidad (BBE) combined cycle plant.

• Tecnatom participation in the AENOR Group for the charac-terisation of thermal-solar plants.

• Ultrasonic inspection of distributor welds at the La Muela hydroelectric station (Iberdrola).

OVERSEAS ENERGY

Throughout 2015, the consolidation of Tecnatom as a supplier of high-tech services, equipment and products on the global market has continued. Services have been provided for 83 cli-ents in 29 countries, the work performed in China, the United Arab Emirates and Slovenia being especially significant in terms of volume.

With a view to enhancing Tecnatom’s international positioning in the short, medium and long term, commercial activities have been reinforced in the following countries:• Asia: China and United Arab Emirates.• America: USA, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.• Europe: France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Bel-

gium, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Russia.

Reaching agreements with local companies and having rep-resentatives in certain countries has been considered fun-damental for future development and is a key component of Tecnatom’s commercial strategy.

The activities performed on the overseas energy market are set out below by geographical areas:

Detail of a steam turbine

49

OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR SERVICES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED IN 29 COUNTRIES FOR 83 DIFFERENT CLIENTS

• Awarding of a contract for a pressurised water reactor basic principles simulator for the IAEA.

• Inspection of the new rector pressure vessel heads for the Doel 1&4 plants in Belgium.

• In-service inspection of the reactor vessel closure head at the Tihange 3 plant in France.

• Inspection of baffle bolts at Bugey 5 NPP in France.• In-service inspection of the reactor vessel closure head at

the Doel 2 plant in Belgium.• Inspection of the SCK-CEN BR2 reactor vessel in Belgium.• Awarding of a contract for the inspection of lagged piping

with EDF.• Awarding of a remote handling engineering support con-

tract for ITER.• Achievement of several orders and performance of quali-

fication work on equipment from different manufacturers for nuclear applications for EDF (France).

ENERGY IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

• Signing of a collaboration agreement with the Swiss electric-ity utility BKW.

• Performance of circulation nozzle inspection at Oskarshamn 2 and Ringhals 1 nuclear power plants in Sweden.

• Performance of the reactor vessel nozzle inspection equip-ment at several Swedish plants, contracted by Oskarshamn and Ringhals.

• Awarding of a contract for the inspection of fuel rods at Fors-mark 3 NPP (Sweden).

• Signing of a contract for the supply of a motor and air-oper-ated valve diagnosis system with Loviisa NPP (Finland).

• Evaluation, as a third-party, of the inspection results of the steam generator welds at Loviisa NPP.

• Performance of a control rod inspection at Krsko NPP in Slo-venia.

• Signing of a MOU with the Slovenian company Q-Techna for collaboration in inspection and testing services.

• Achievement of a contract for the design and manufacturing of the emergency control room for Krsko NPP.

• Maintenance of snubbers at Cernavoda nuclear power plant (Rumania).

• Signing of a collaboration agreement with the Rumanian company Compcontrol.

• Awarding of a contract for training courses for the Polish government.

• Awarding of a contract, along with Gamesa, for the qualifica-tion and supply of 4 emergency diesel generators for Ostro-vetz NPP (Belarus).

• Awarding of a contract for training courses on BWR technol-ogy fundamentals for the British company Horizon.

• Supply of several eddy current sensors and data acquisition systems for the company VUJE (Slovakia).

• Signing of a MOU with the American company UCI for simu-lation activities in the USA.

Tecnatom system inspecting a nuclear reactor vessel

50

• Signing of a NDA with the company AMEC FOSTER WHEELER for equipment qualification activities.

• Awarding of the supply of a simulator for the Gas Natural Fenosa combined cycle plant in Tuxpan (Mexico). This is a 2x1 configuration, 600MW plant based on Mitsubishi tech-nology.

• The company Mitsui (Mexico) has awarded us the alarms optimisation and rationalisation project for its Rio Bravo II, III and IV combined cycle plants.

• Throughout 2015, work has continued on the implemen-tation of the inspections manager tool at the Gas Natural Fenosa combined cycle plants in Mexico. This application is already available at the Norte Durango, Tuxpan and Naco Nogales plants.

• Performance of support and snubber inspection services at the Tuxpan and Naco Nogales combined cycle plants (Mex-ico).

• Participation in the training of future operators and shift supervisors for the Vogtle and VC Summer AP 1000 plants in the USA.

• Participation with the American company ANATEC (Curtis & Wright) in the inspection of steam generator tubes at sev-eral US plants.

• Achievement, as in previous years, through an international call for bids of the contract for the maintenance, inspection and testing of mechanical and hydraulic snubbers, to be per-formed during the refuelling outages at the two groups of Laguna Verde NPP in 2015 and 2016.

• Achievement, also as in previous years, of the contract for the monitoring and diagnosis of motor and air-operated

valves, to be performed during the refuelling outages at groups 1 and 2 of Laguna Verde NPP in 2015 and 2016.

• Achievement, for the first time, of the contract for the eddy current inspection of heat exchangers and the ultra-sonic measurement of piping thicknesses, to be performed during the refuelling outages at the two groups of Laguna Verde NPP in 2015 and 2016.

• Participation in licence renewal activities with Laguna Verde NPP.

• Support for Laguna Verde NPP with several level III techni-cians in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).

• Achievement of contracts for the supply of valves and spares to Laguna Verde NPP.

• Support for the secretariat general of European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) (EU).

• Updating of the neutronics model of the Laguna Verde NPP simulator.

• Supply of equipment to Laguna Verde for the performance of motor and air-operated valve diagnosis.

• Validation of the reactor vessel inspection techniques and qualification of personnel for the vessel inspection at Size-well B NPP in the UK.

Concentration technology thermal-solar plant (photo courtesy of NRG

Solar, LLC)

51

ARGENTINA HAS OPTED FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED BY TECNATOM AND ENUSA FOR THE INSPECTION OF NUCLEAR FUEL

• Performance of special inspections and tests correspond-ing to outage 2P12 at Angra 2 NPP (mechanised ultrasonic inspection of the reactor vessel and closure bolts, mecha-nised ultrasonic inspection of bimetal welds, mechanised ultrasonic inspection of reactor coolant pumps, visual inspec-tion of the secondary side of SG’s and inspection of control rods) within the framework of the multiannual contract for 2013-2018.

• Performance of check valve diagnosis during the 2015 out-age at Atucha 1.

• Technical assistance to NA-SA for updating of the ISI Web.• Delivery of a training course for operations instructors at

Embalse NPP.• Revision of the Design Technical Specifications of the Vessel

and Supports of the CAREM 25 Reactor for CNEA (Argen-tina).

• Awarding of a contract for the supply of a passive scanner to CONUAR (Argentina).

• Awarding of a NA-SA contract for the design and supply of ultrasonic inspection techniques, procedures and mecha-nised equipment for inspection of fuel channel nozzle welds for Atucha NPP.

• Awarding of a NA-SA contract for the supply of spares for the PET and WIND inspection system supplied previously by Tecnatom.

• Delivery of training courses to the personnel of the Argen-tinean Regulatory Body (ARN) in the areas of equipment maintenance and reliability, control room habitability, equip-ment ageing and operator evaluation on the simulator.

• Technical assistance services to the ARN for supervision of the changing of computers at Embalse NPP.

• Awarding of a multiannual contract (2015-2018) by ESKOM for the initial and on-going training of the operating person-nel of Kusile thermal power plant (6 x 800 MWe) in South Africa.

ENERGY IN SOUTH AMERICA AND AFRICA

• Support for the subsidiary Tecnatom do Brasil in training activ-ities for the personnel of Eletronuclear nuclear power plants (Angra NPP).

• Support for the subsidiary Tecnatom do Brasil in the perfor-mance of air-operated valve diagnosis during refuelling outage 1P21 at Angra 1 NPP.

• Performance of tests on samples of activated carbon from the air filtering systems of Angra 1 NPP or the subsidiary Tecnatom do Brasil.

• Supply of eddy current probes to NA-SA (Argentina).• Completion of the full-scope Simulation Supply contract for

Atucha 2 NPP. The Simulation achieved the ready for training status in a ceremony with the presence of the Argentinian Min-ister Julio de Vido.

• Technical assistance to NA-SA in the area of the environmental qualification of equipment for Atucha 1 NPP.

• Completion of activities corresponding to extension of the contract for the supply of the full-scope simulator for Atucha 2 NPP.

• Revision of the In-Service Inspection Manual for Embalse NPP.• Performance of activities corresponding to Phase 2 of the con-

tract for the supply of a passive scanner to INB (Brazil).• Completion of activities corresponding to the supply of a sim-

ulator for the Kaxu thermal-solar plant in South Africa (Aben-goa).

• Performance of special inspections and tests corresponding to outage 1P21 at Angra 1 NPP (sludge lancing, FOSAR and visual inspection of the secondary side of SG’s, diagnosis of motor-op-erated valves, manual inspection (PDI) of primary circuit pip-ing welds and eddy current inspection of SG tubes) within the framework of the multiannual contract for 2013-2018.

52ENERGY IN EASTERN EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA

• Attendance at the Spanish-Ukrainian Forum, which took place in Kiev. Present in representation of Ukraine were the Minister of Economy and the Deputy Ministers for Energy and Infrastructures, while Spain was represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

• Awarding of a project for the supply of an inspection system and associated techniques for the inspection of steam gen-erator bimetal welds at Kola nuclear power plant (Russia) using phased-array techniques.

• Attendance at the Newcomers Conference NNIC 2015, at which Tecnatom presented the paper “Training as a strate-gic tool for performance improvement”.

• Awarding of a project for severe accident management at Barakah nuclear power plant (United Arab Emirates).

• Official registration of Tecnatom Abu Dhabi.• Attendance at the Turkey MENA Nuclear Industry Congress.• Attendance at the Spanish-Japanese working session

organised by CEIDEN to deal with R&D issues in the nuclear area deriving from post-Fukushima lessons.

• Attendance at the meeting between Spanish and Japa-nese nuclear sector companies organised by ICEX España, Exportación e Inversiones and the Spanish Commercial Office in Japan.

• Attendance at the Nuclear Training and Simulation Forum in Shanghai, where a paper was presented on simulators for plant engineering projects.

• Inspection of the reactor shroud at Kuosheng nuclear power plant (Taiwan).

• Celebration at the commercial office of the Spanish Embassy in Beijing of the seminar “Cooperation of SNGC & Técnicas Reunidas with the Chinese Nuclear Industry for New Build Nuclear Power Plants in third Countries”.

• Awarding by SNERDI (China) of a contract for the perfor-mance of human factors engineering support activities.

• Completion of the supply of instrumentation spares for 8 nuclear power plant control rooms in China.

• Completion of the supply of back-up panels and emergency control panels for YangJiang 5 nuclear power plant (China).

• Completion of the supply of instrumentation for the control room of the Hualong Number One nuclear reactor (China).

Full-scope simulator of Fuqing nuclear power plant (China)

CHINA CONTINUES TO BE ONE THE MOST

RELEVANT MARKETS FOR THE TECNATOM GROUP

CONTROL ROOM MODERNISATION PROCESSES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE GROUP’S ACTIVITIES IN CHINA

Tecnatom experts during a fuel inspection in China

• Performance of operational analysis of the control centres of nuclear power plants of different technology types for SNERDI (China).

• Delivery of training on human factors engineering for the Chinese nuclear reg-ulatory authority.

• Modernisation of the control rooms of the Hainan 1 and 2 nuclear reactors (China).

• Awarding by CITEC (China) of the supply of several probes for the inspection of nuclear reactor pressure vessels.

• Extension of the Tecnatom China licence for the import and export of non-nu-clear spares.

• Attendance at the 2nd INPOM congress on the operation and maintenance of Chinese nuclear power plants in Shanghai. Tecnatom presented a paper on valve diagnosis methodologies.

• Attendance at the 4th Asia-Europe Meeting on Nuclear Safety, held in Madrid, involving regulatory authorities, companies and government institutions. The programme included a visit to the Tecnatom facilities in San Sebastián de los Reyes.

• A delegation of SNPI, headed by its chairman and general manager, visited Tec-natom with a view to intensifying collaboration in technology transfer for irradi-ated and fresh fuel inspection equipment.

• Supply of a number of probes for the inspection of thimbles to the company ANSCO (South Korea).

• Participation in the Bulgaria-Spain business meeting held in Sofia. The meeting also included a visit to Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

• Awarding of a project for the supply of two hydraulic snubber testing systems for Kozloduy (Bulgaria).

• Visit to Tecnatom by a delegation of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), including the Iranian Ambassador in Spain and the president of the AEOI.

54

INDUSTRIAL

Throughout 2015, activities corresponding to projects initiated in 2014 continued and other new activities associated with new product and service supplies began. The following are espe-cially noteworthy:• Workshops and presentations of Tecnatom’s capabilities

were held with Cepsa, Repsol and Enagas. • Activities relating to radiological protection for NORM (Nat-

urally Occurring Radioactive Material) applications contin-ued with Intecsa Industrial.

• Activities relating to airport electrical installation simula-tors continued, including the rendering of maintenance and updating services and delivery of various courses on the simulator supplied to AENA in 2009.

• Strengthening of the alliance with Inprocess for collabora-tion in the oil and gas sector, with renewal of the memoran-dum of understanding (MOU). Joint commercial operations have been carried out in Spain, Mexico and Brazil.

• Advanced inspections and tests have been performed for clients as significant as DOW Chemical, Bayer and Sabic.

• Work has been performed for Gamesa in the area of ultra-sonic inspection of aerogenerator blades.

• Training on leadership and the safety culture has continued with the companies Lafarge Holcim and Repsol.

• The TUSS-2 system has been updated with SONIA electron-ics and Gentray3 SW for Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) (Turkey).

• The twin-robot Area-Gantry system has been accepted for COMAC- Shanghai Aircraft (China).

• A multiple technique system based on two robots, incor-porating a specific yoke and the phased-array transmission technique has been delivered for CTRM (Malaysia).

• Awarding of a twin-robot for the transmission and pulse-echo inspection of A350 parts for the Harbin Hafei Airbus Manufacture Centre (China).

• Awarding of a rotary table robot system for the transmis-sion and pulse-echo inspection of fan cowls for CTRM (Malaysia).

• Awarding of a track-mounted robot system for the pulse-echo inspection of Boeing parts for Alenia (Italy).

• The multiple technique twin-robot system for Daher (France) has successfully completed acceptance testing.

• The system for the TTU inspection of acoustic panels has been delivered in Nantes, for aire Airbus (France).

• The automatic inspection system for Premium Aerotec (Germany) has entered the final acceptance phase.

• Twin-robot multiple technique system undergoing installa-tion at the COMAC Beijing R&D Centre (China).

• Tecnatom has been awarded a new double system for the company Songwol (South Korea).

• Tecnatom has developed a strategic rail system plan in col-laboration with its French subsidiary Metalscan.

Automatic equipment for the ultrasonic inspection of aeronautical components and structures

55

Tecnatom has carried out significant commercial activities based on its participation in numerous highly relevant forums and congresses, in Spain and abroad, in keeping with its corpo-rate promotion programme.

The company has been present at 79 conferences, forums and congresses in countries spread across the entire geography of America, Asia and Europe, and has presented 81 papers and articles.

It is also important to underline the work performed to integrate Tecnatom’s participation in sector-specific stands, allowing the company to optimise and stress its presence at these forums.

The most significant forums and congresses in which Tecnatom has participated in 2015 are indicated below.

TECNATOM PRESENCE WITH A STAND

POWER PLANT SIM Florida (USA) / January 25th to 28th

The Power Plant Simulation Conference is the most important simulation event for the nuclear sector in the United States and Tecnatom has always had a relevant presence at it. In this edi-tion, Tecnatom participated actively with a stand of its own and presented two technical papers.

CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR TRAINING AND EDUCATIONFlorida (USA) / February 1st to 4th

This two-yearly conference is one of the most important forums for discussion on progress made, challenges and learn-ing in the field of training and education on nuclear energy held in the United States. Tecnatom participated significantly in the event, both in the exhibition area with a stand show-casing its technological capabilities and in the different con-ference sessions, presiding over one and presenting several papers.

NUCLEAR PLANTS INSTRUMENTATION, CONTROL AND HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE TECHNOLOGIESNorth Carolina (USA) / February 21st and 22nd

Tecnatom participated very actively in the conference of the American Nuclear Society focussing on Instrumentation and control and the human machine interface (NPIC & HMIT 2015), which took place in Charlotte. On this occasion the company had a stand in the exhibition area showcasing its technological

FORUMS AND CONGRESSES

Stand at the Conference on Nuclear Training and Education

56

capabilities, presented four papers and presided over two tech-nical sessions.

JEC COMPOSITES PARIS 2015Paris (France) / March 10th to 12th

This is Europe’s most important composite materials industry event, and attracted more than 1,200 companies from around the world. Tecnatom once again attended this meeting, which this year celebrated its 50th edition, sharing a stand with its French subsidiaries M2M and Metalscan. On its stand the Tec-natom Group showcased the latest breakthroughs in the appli-cation of ultrasonics in the inspection of aeronautical parts.

11TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION ON NUCLEAR POWER INDUSTRYBeijing (China) / April 22nd and 23rd

Tecnatom participated in the Nuclear Industry China 2015 event, thereby consolidating its presence, which has been con-tinuous since 2005. On this occasion the company was part of a joint Spanish nuclear sector stand.

The Chinese market is especially relevant for Tecnatom, where it has earned itself a position in activities such as the supply of control rooms and full-scope simulators, the rendering of inspection services, technology transfer, the training of plant operators and the sale of irradiated fuel inspection equipment and equipment for quality control in the manufacturing of nuclear fuel.

AERO & DEF BUSINESSKuala Lumpur (Malaysia) / April 27th to 29th

This important aerospace sector platform is the only event of its kind in Malaysia, and allows the most significant companies in the industry to meet with potential clients by way of B2B meetings. Tecnatom has already supplied an inspection system for CTRM company in Malaysia, and has updated several equip-ment, for which reason it participated in the event with a stand due to the country being one of those offering the company the greatest opportunities for projection.

13TH NATIONAL NON-DESTRUCTIVETESTING CONGRESSSeville (Spain) / May 6th to 8th

Tecnatom participated actively in this event, organised by the Spanish Non-Destructive Testing Association (AEND), which brought together more than 200 experts in the field. In addi-tion to presenting several technical papers, the company had a stand in the exhibition area where it showed off its latest devel-opments in the field of NDT, with systems and applications for the power and aerospace sectors.

Taking advantage of this congress, Tecnatom launched its new website, aimed at the sale of products and services in the area of NDT. The technology developed by Tecnatom, through major investments in R&D&i, is reflected in this new website, which shows the company’s offer of eddy current or ultrasonic equip-ment, electronics, probes, sensors and associated software, as well as integrated systems.

IN 2015, TECNATOM PARTICIPATED IN 79

INTERNATIONAL FORUMS AND CONGRESSES AND PRESENTED

ALMOST ONE HUNDRED PAPERS AND ARTICLES

57

China International Exhibition on Nuclear Power Industry event

SAMPE CHINABeijing (China) / May 27th to 29th

This is a reference event for advanced materials and engineering processes and in 2015 celebrated its 25th anniversary. The event managed to bring together more than 5,000 professionals from the composites industry, and showcased the latest breakthroughs in a sector that is going through a boom period. Tec-natom participated with a stand of its own, with support from its Chinese subsid-iary, where it exhibited the development of state-of-the-art technology for the structural control of complex geometry components.

PARIS AIR SHOWParis (France) / June 19th to 21st

This is the world’s most important aerospace sector event, is held every two years and on this occasion brought together more than 2,200 exhibiters from 47 countries. Tecnatom is one of Spain’s longest standing participants, with the 2015 edition being the eighth it has attended. With a stand of its own in the Span-ish pavilion, organised with the collaboration of ICEX, Tecnatom showcased its breakthroughs in the aerospace sector, especially in the development and supply of Non-Destructive Testing systems.

NUCLEAR NEW BUILDLondon (United Kingdom) / May 30th to June 1st

Tecnatom participated in this conference, organised by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) in the city of London. This association, of which Tecnatom has been a member since 2011, represents more than 270 international companies related to the United Kingdom’s nuclear programme and has as its mission the improvement of the competitiveness of the nuclear industry.

On this occasion, Tecnatom participated in the event with a stand shared with the British company GEN2.

Stand at JEC Paris

59TH IAEA GENERAL CONFERENCEVienna (Austria) / September 26th to 30th

Tecnatom participated with a stand in the commercial exhibition at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s 59th General Confer-ence, held at the organisation’s headquarters in Vienna.

The stand showcased Tecnatom’s techno-logical capabilities in the areas of inspection and training, as well as its specific capacities for the development of nuclear programmes in newcomer countries. Also exhibited were the capacities of the CEIDEN technology platform, of which Tecnatom is a member, and the stand was visited by Rosario Velasco, the president of the platform and vice-pres-ident of the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council, and the Spanish Ambassador at the country’s permanent mission in Vienna, Gonzalo de Salazar.

58

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SPANISH NUCLEAR SOCIETYA Coruña (Spain) / September 23th to 25th

The Spanish Nuclear Society is an organisation that involves all those active in the country’s nuclear sector and Tecnatom, aware of the importance of the society’s annual meeting for that sector, made a significant contribution to the event through its strong presence in the technical programme a stand in the commercial exhibition.

Twenty-three papers were presented during the sessions on maintenance, organisation and human factors, training, radi-ological protection and the environment, R&D&i, engineering and nuclear safety. Our colleagues Amador Sillero in the area of maintenance, with the paper entitled “Development and application of EMAT-generated ultrasonic technology for the inspection of piping by means of Non-Destructive Testing”, and Celia Torres in the area of Radiological Protection and the Envi-ronment with the paper “The impact of PROMOCAT in emer-gency management at ANAV” received the award for the best papers.

Within the meeting’s social programme, Tecnatom sponsored the magic show offered to entertain those participating in the meeting at the A Coruña opera house, as well as the subse-quent cocktail party.

NUKLEAOrleans (France) / September 30th to October 1st

Tecnatom participated in this event, held in the French city of Orleans. This is a two-yearly event that brings together the most important players in the French nuclear sector’s supply chain.

Tecnatom had a stand of its own showcasing the company’s inspection and training service technologies and serving as a venue for contacts with the leading companies in the sector.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EUROPEAN SIMULATION FORUMBristol (United Kingdom) / October 6th to 8th

Tecnatom participated in the fourth edition of this congress, held in the British city of Bristol. This served to consolidate the event, which brings together the main suppliers of simulation products and services at world level and in which Tecnatom has participated since the first edition, which took place in Barce-lona.

Tecnatom has participated in the four editions with a stand showcasing the company’s latest technologies in simulation, with new virtual reality products and generic and classroom simulators. A technical paper was also presented at the con-gress.

Tecnatom stand during the 59th IAEA General Conference, attended by Rosario Velasco (deputy

president of the CSN) and Gonzalo de Salazar (Spanish Ambassador to the Office of the United Nations and

the International Organisations in Vienna)

59

TECNATOM IS DIVERSIFYING ITS PRESENCE AT INTERNATIONAL EVENTS IN THE AEROSPACE AND RENEWABLE ENERGIES SECTORS

13th inspection, testing and maintenance session

OTHER EVENTS

13TH INSPECTION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE SESSIONSan Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid)/ March 11th

Representatives of the different Spanish nuclear power plants, ENUSA and UNESA met at the Tecnatom headquarters in San Sebastián de los Reyes to hold this session, which has now reached thirteen consecutive editions.

Tecnatom presented to its clients its technology novelties and tech-nical evolutions in inspection and testing equipment.

Throughout the session several practical demonstrations of the latest inspection technologies were also carried out. The day’s activities concluded with a visit to the HVAC test bench, where filter efficiency tests were performed.

EPRI “EUROPEAN FOREIGN MATERIAL EXCLUSION WORKSHOP AND TRAINING”San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid)/ May 18th to 22nd

Tecnatom organised and hosted this event, which consisted of two different activities: on the one hand coordinator training and, on the other, a workshop that occupied the latter part of the week, dur-ing which different companies showcased their capabilities at their respective stands.

The objective of these sessions was to improve performance within the nuclear industry’s foreign material exclusion (FME) programme.

More than 40 professionals from 8 different European countries (Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Slovakia, Finland and Slovenia) and the USA participated in these sessions.

8TH INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ON SOLAR THERMOELECTRIC CONCENTRATIONSeville (Spain) / November 12th and 13th

Tecnatom participated in the 8th Solar Thermoelectric Con-centration Summit, the thermal-solar community’s most important annual event.

On this occasion, Tecnatom participated with a stand of its own showcasing the company’s technological capabilities in the areas of inspection and testing, training and simula-tion. Particularly noteworthy were the demonstrations per-formed using a parabolic-cylinder technology thermal-solar plant simulator. In addition to this technology, Tecnatom also presented its experience in the development of simulators for concentration tower plants.

AEROSPACE MEETINGS Sao Jose dos Campos (Brazil) / December 8th to 10th

This international business meeting brings together the world supply chain, which meets for two days in the heart of Brazil’s aerospace sector in São José dos Campos. Tec-natom has had a subsidiary in this South American country since 2013, which participated in the event with the parent company with a stand of its own.

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EPRI STEAM GENERATOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EUROPEAN WORKSHOPSan Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid) / October 29th and 30th

Sponsored by EPRI and UNESA and organised by Tecnatom, this event was attended by 50 persons from 5 countries (USA, Belgium, France, Sweden and Spain) representing 10 different companies.

The national sector was represented by maintenance, inspec-tions, testing and chemistry personnel from all the PWR nuclear power plants, as well as by members of the CIEMAT personnel.

Thirty technical papers were presented during the sessions, dealing with issues such as inspection, tube integrity and deg-radation, the qualification of NDT techniques, mechanical and chemical cleaning, corrosion and secondary side chemistry and maintenance. The sessions also featured an exhibition of probes and products for steam generator inspection.

TRAINING SESSION 2015San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid) / November 18th and 19th

This annual session presents the different lines of work carried out by Tecnatom throughout the year and sets out the courses of action to be taken in the future to address the initial and on-going training needs of the plants.

This year the session dealt with issues such as the new INPO projects, the participation of instructors in the refuelling outages at ANAV and Cofrentes, the application of generic simulators in operations training, progress in e-learning, use of field simulators for RP training, the application of ROI models in plant training and new applications with POV cameras.

In addition, a working panel was organised to deal with the sub-ject “Contributions to Knowledge Management”, this having a strategic importance in the organisations of the Spanish plants. Another novelty in this year’s edition has been the organisa-tion of two “benchmark sessions” dealing with subjects of key interest: the application of OJT/TPE training in the different operations organisations and differences in the training/ veri-fication-validation of Severe Accident Guidelines (SAG’s) at the different plants.

EVERY YEAR TECNATOM ORGANISES A NUMBER OF

SESSIONS FOR THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES WITH THE SPANISH

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Training session 2015

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TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTAND INNOVATION

Tecnatom’s overall strategy rests on the company’s capacities for technology development and innovation, which allow it to anticipate the needs of its clients in a particularly demanding sector, these being key factors for long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

This exercise has strengthened the implementation of the Technology and Product Development Division (DTDP), the objective of which is to reinforce the transformation of capabil-ities into high added value products enhancing the company’s portfolio.

In this respect, support between the different group companies is every day greater. Technology and business-related responsi-bilities have been assigned to the subsidiaries in a coordinated manner, allowing for considerable growth in other industrial sectors and new geographical areas.

The level of investments in technology and innovation in 2015 places Tecnatom in sixth place in the ranking for its area of activity in terms of spend on in-house R&D in Spain (according to the National Statistics Institute), in line with previous years. This sustained effort, complemented by our participation in the R&D programmes of different Ministries, CDTI, the Regional Government of Madrid, the European Framework Programme, etc., has led to our applying for several patents and registered trademarks during the year.

Below there is a list of Tecnatom technological activities according to their implementation directions.

TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

The technology development and innovation capacities com-missioned to the Technology and Product Development Divi-sion (DTDP) are key factors as regards ensuring the medium and long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the com-pany. The product lines identified are beginning to bear fruit through constant efforts in innovation and the incorporation of new technologies with new target sectors and markets pro-viding synergies with the current business.

But guaranteeing a high and increasing level of technology is not enough. It also has to create value for the client and gen-erate satisfaction, adapting the characteristics of the equip-ment and systems to his needs and creating trust in Tecnatom through proximity and mutual understanding. The internal production processes have been analysed in depth and opti-mised, allowing more competitive products and services to be generated.

The sustained efforts of the company and the institutional support received (MINECO, MINETUR, CDTI, Regional Govern-ment of Madrid, European Framework Programme, etc.) have made it possible to maintain the level of investment in technol-ogy and innovation in line with previous years. The company’s interest in protecting the resulting industrial and intellectual property has led to applications for five new patents and one new registered trademark in 2015.

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The following activities have been carried out in relation to eddy current inspection systems, within a framework of technological independence:• As regards the development of steam generator inspection

equipment, the drive units integrated with the ETboxPPD eddy current acquisition instrument have been validated during an actual inspection. This equipment model, a mem-ber of the ETbox family, has made it possible to simplify the wiring and equipment, as a result of which inspection system installation and start-up times have been optimised, this appreciably improving the quality of the data acquired. From the software point of view, productivity and functional capacity have been improved, adding the possibility of using the new dual probes developed by Tecnatom, which allow for simultaneous acquisitions using circular and rotary coils. As regards the new array sensors aimed at ensuring the integrity of steam generator tubes, we have participated with EPRI in a comparative study pitching our TProbe array product against the probes of our main competitors at inter-national level.

• As regards the new range of equipment for the industrial sector, progress has continued in development of a porta-ble instrument known as ETbox Mobile, oriented towards manual eddy current inspections. This equipment has been designed especially with the lightness, portability and ergon-omy required in the manual inspection of all types of indus-trial components, and especially aeronautical parts, in mind.

In addition, a set of specific probes covering a wide range of inspection areas has been designed for this instrument.

• As regards progress in new inspection techniques, tests have been carried out using magneto-resistive sensors for the detection of sub-surface defects in aluminium and other materials (both ferromagnetic and non-ferromag-netic). A prototype sensor and adapter compatible with the ETbox instruments has been designed and manufactured and fine tuning tests have been performed using this tech-nology. This experience has allowed detailed insight to be gained regarding the possibilities of this type of sensors and their potential future applications.

The main breakthroughs and novelties in the field of ultrasonic equipment are summarised below:• The SONIA range of ultrasonic systems has been completed

with the following:• Industrialisation of the FTT-2 module for Through Trans-

mission Inspections (TTU) in water and air, with the possibility of using low frequency probes. This module incorporates on the one hand a high-energy emitter and, on the other, a high dynamic range receiver with fully dig-ital control. As an initial application, this product has been used in service for the inspection of highly attenuating aerogenerator components.

• Development of an automatic test bench for characteri-sation of phased-array electronics (SONIA FPA-128M), in accordance with the ISO-18563-1 standard, achieving a substantial reduction of the time required previously and improvement of the quality and reliability of the results.

• Extension of the LabView applications development platform for new SONIA modules (FMI-12, FDH-4 y FTT-2). This platform, which is widely distributed throughout the industrial and academic world, will make it possible to open up new fields of use.

3D model of an aerospace part inspected using Tecnatom automatic equipment

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TECNATOM’S OVERALL STRATEGY RELIES ON ITS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES

• Tool for the measurement of thicknesses in com-posite materials. This new functionality allows users in the aeronautical market to fulfil their evaluation requirements and automatically complete the reports required by the standard.

• Integration of UT electronics in the laser-based ultra-sonic inspection system (TECNALUS). This has been successfully completed, increasing the automation and productivity of this type of systems and allowing for on-the-ground or robot inspection of composite parts.

• Integration of the TTU-PA (Through-Transmission Phased-Array) technique. The necessary improve-ments in the calculation of focal laws have been devel-oped for the definition of this innovative inspection technique.

During 2015, the mechatronics organisation was extended to include also systems engineering – reported to in turn by the aeronautical inspection systems after-sales service and the production area – changing its name to mechatronics and production. Although systems engineering currently provides support only to aeronautical inspection systems, it comes about with the vocation to also incorporate the design, production and after-sales of nuclear systems. The most important activities performed by the organisation during 2015 have been as follows:• GENTRAY3 has been provided with new functionalities

increasing its inspection and automation capacities:• New automatic trajectory generation strategies,

including the generation of spiral trajectories.• New more accurate and faster sampling algorithms

based on the demands of the different projects addressed.

• Strengthening of the capacities of Kinesys for kin-ematic resolution (direct and inverse) and its use in 3D reconstruction tasks (FALCOM-3D, Inspect View) and/or simulation (SIROCO 3D+).

• Launching of the project for development of the high capac-ity full-parallel phased-array equipment integrated in SONIA architecture, in collaboration with M2M (URSULA project leader).

• New capacities in the INSPECTVIEW range reference software (ultrasonic software):• Initiation of developments for integration of the WiiPA sys-

tem. The data acquisition software has been integrated with the system of wireless cameras in order to obtain coordi-nates in real time and improve system performance.

• Integration of the KUKA KRC4 platform. The data acquisi-tion software has been adapted for communications with the new KUKA controller and to allow UT inspection sys-tems to operate with this new generation of robots.

• Automatic analysis of indications in accordance with the SEP-1927 standard for the characterisation of granular-ity in forged steels. Development of an automatic analysis platform on which multiple automatic evaluation tools will be constructed. The first of these has been the implemen-tation of this standard for the detection of indications in steel.

Equipment for the ultrasonic inspection of irradiated nuclear fuel

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• The RABIT cell possessed by TECNATOM was sent to the USA (Marietta NDT), with a view to promoting the market in that country. In its place a new cell will be constructed in 2016, based on the new KUKA KR-C4 technology and the new Quantec robots (cell known as RABIT 2.0).

• Important efforts have been made in standardisation; in particular the specification of a new standard linear track has been concluded, the first prototype of which will be mounted in the new RABIT 2.0 cell.

• The industrialisation phase of the SIRO project (alternator and generator inspection system for IBERDROLA) has been addressed, which will provide a 100% functional system by early 2016.

• As an action aimed at improving and adapting the new organisation to the objectives of the Technology and Prod-uct Development Division (DTDP), the process of supplying aeronautical inspection systems has been consolidated, as is reflected in quality procedure DF-18, which defines activities, processes and responsibilities relating to such supplies, and DF-19, which accurately defines the tasks and roles established to provide support to the supply process described in DF-18, creating new roles such as that of aero-nautical supply project technical manager.

• Important process re-engineering structured and defined by way of new quality procedures covering production, sub-contracting, etc.

• The integration of the mechanical and electrical design in the Windchill PLM has been analysed and planned for 2016, along with the computer systems organisation, and analy-sis of the requirements of the AX production module has concluded, along with a new product coding allowing for the following:• Automatic management of documentation, establishing

the minimum documents associated with a project or product and with these remaining accessible to the users in a transparent manner.

• Guaranteed uniqueness of references and retention of the technical-economic data associated with them.

• Guaranteed accessibility of these data for the entire organisation from a single repository, without working against a server.

• Rendering of service to other divisions requiring access to these data.

• A space has been defined and mapped out for the DTDP stores for the reception of materials and a production area, now with a completely product-oriented philosophy.

• The outsourcing of manufacturing activities has been consolidated, not only as regards machined parts but also assemblies, with a view to ensuring that only fully mounted and tested assemblies or sub-assemblies come into Tec-natom.

All these development and production activities have been carried out without reducing the attention paid to support for aeronautical and nuclear supplies and SPV activities, this having required major efforts by all the personnel of the organisation.

THE INVESTMENTS MADE IN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

PLACE TECNATOM IN SIXTH POSITION ON THE RANKING OF

IN-HOUSE R&D

Assembly line at the Tecnatom facilities for the development of automatic aeronautical inspection systems

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highly satisfactory in materials with different characteristics and defectologies. The new system brings new automation capacities to the inspection process and makes an impor-tant contribution in terms of the quality and efficiency of the entire manufacturing process.

• DiAAMond project, within the framework of the Euro-pean CLEAN-SKY programme. In collaboration with the Andalusian Aeronautical Technology Centre (CATEC), a Non-Destructive inspection system is being developed for the on-line monitoring of composite material aviation components subjected to structural testing. The testing technology selected for this system is thermography, since it is an NDT technique that does not require contact and is idea for the application in question. A semi-automated cabin-mounted structural test monitoring system will be developed, with the automatic evaluation of thermographic registers, which will be validated at the Airbus facilities in Getafe (Madrid).

As regards Non-Destructive Testing systems for aeronauti-cal components, a number of lines of research and technology developments have been launched within the framework of different R&D&i programmes, the aim being to achieve a level meeting the needs and requirements of our clients and in keep-ing with the Tecnatom strategy:• The ESTENEA (study of low cost and high rate technologies

for composites) research project, a part of the CIEN initia-tive by CDTI (Centre for Industrial Technology Development) is aimed at the development of new or enhanced products. Tecnatom, an active partner in the project, is developing new inspection technologies to address geometries such as radii, edges and hidden areas using NDT (Non-Destructive Test-ing) methods. The industrialisation of technologies such as thermography and laser-generated ultrasonics is considered to be another of the main activities. In addition to the lines of development described above, other channels of study and activities will be addressed, making it possible to achieve important progress in the development of different NDT methods: thermography (TIR), computerised tomography (CT) and ultrasonics (UT). Within this last field, laser (LUS), phased-array (UT-PA), air ultrasonics (UTA) and conventional ultrasonics (UT) are used.

• Performance of the LUS TEAM project in collaboration with Airbus Defence & Space and Airbus Group Innovation, the objective being the industrialisation of laser-generated ultra-sonics (LUS) technology. During the period 2014-2015, the integration of the different components that make up the TECNALUS inspection cell (robot, laser system, inspection cell, safety systems...) has been carried out at the Tecnatom headquarters in San Sebastián de los Reyes. This system includes hardware and software tools developed by Tec-natom for control, data acquisition and data processing. The application of this technology has been validated for aeronautical components of complex geometry and medium size (up to 1.5 m x 1.5 m), some of which could previously be inspected only using manual methods. The ultrasonic results obtained have been

Tecnatom software for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection

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The new technologies organisation, in charge of the observa-tion and analysis of the scientific and technological environment and the identification of new opportunities for development in different business areas, has carried out the following in 2015:• Participation in the preparation of ITER bids regarding

remote handling, leading consortia comprising relevant European companies:• IVVS (In-Vessel Viewing System): The consortium formed

by Tecnatom, Ansaldo Nucleare and ENSA has come sec-ond and the signing of the framework contract is now under way.

• Framework contract for remote handling in maintenance and inspection activities: Consortium formed by Tec-natom, Ansaldo Nucleare and GMV.

• Proposal for destructive and Non-Destructive Testing of ITER components at high temperatures.

• Preparation of new R&D&i proposals within the frame-work of Horizonte-2020 and performance of on-going projects, such as LOCOMACHS (Low Cost Manufacturing and Assembly of Composite and Hybrid Structures, FP7, Transport). Within this project, new software tools have been developed for the optimisation and improvement of the automation of laser-generated ultrasonic inspections of carbon fibre aeronautical products.

• R&D&i projects performed individually or in consortium at national level: With the support of the Public Adminis-trations (MINE¬CO, CDTI, etc.), Tecnatom has carried out different technology development initiatives through collab-oration with research organisations and companies, among others the following:• DIRAC (development and research of optical metrol-

ogy techniques applied to the nuclear sector, Challeng-es-Collaboration, 2014, MINECO): Within the DIRAC project, testing has continued on different 3D digitalisa-tion technologies applied to nuclear components. Piping corrosion analyses and the scanning of nozzles and of the stator of a generator have been performed, among other activities. The first underwater digitalisation tests have been performed using structured white light equipment.

As regards the metrology of fuel assembly skeletons, two different inspection system concepts have been assessed (assembly horizontally or vertically positioned) and the optical configuration of the pattern protection equipment has been optimised with an exclusive novelty design for the measurement of rolled zone problems. Progress has been made in the design of a system for the measurement of the diameter of peripheral fuel assembly rods by means of optical systems. Initial tests have been performed for characterisation of the power of resolution of the optics acquired both in air and under water.

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Detail of a nuclear fuel rod passing through the TESCAN inspection system

SAFETY, OPERATION AND TRAINING DIVISION

The following technology development activities are particularly significant in the areas of safety, operation and training:

In the area of simulation and control rooms:• Development of a tool for the translation of the

logic and control algorithms of a Mitsubishi DIASYS netmation distributed control system, with the aim of optimising efforts in the modelling of these sys-tems and increasing simulator fidelity.

• Implementation of the shutdown operation mode on the Trillo, Vandellós, Almaraz and Ascó NPP simulators. This increase in the scope of these sim-ulators allows operators to be trained on the proce-dures and scenarios relating to this plant situation.

• Development of an Ease-t-PROC computerised procedures system to improve management and increase safety and productivity in the performance of procedures.

• Development of an advanced alarms prioritisation and filtering methodology. This methodology con-stitutes an evolution and removes the weaknesses of the previous APDS concept identified during the validation performed by EPRI.

• Application of the new STPA hazards analysis tech-nique to the concept phase of the advanced alarms system product. This technique, developed by the MIT and still in the initial stages of adoption, differs from traditional techniques (FMEA, FTA) in that it does not assume that the hazards arise only as a result of component failures but also contemplates the mechanisms whereby the software or human intervention might introduce dangers.

• AAUT (automatic analysis of nuclear power plant steam genera-tor tubes inspected by eddy currents, PID-CDTI, 2014-2017).

• As regards the development of special products tailored for spe-cific clients, special mention may be made of support in the area of testing by way of the VITE-R 2.0 project for the promotion of services in the area of check valve diagnosis. A check valve inspec-tion was performed at Cofrentes NPP in October 2015, the pro-ject then coming to a close. Furthermore, amplifiers have been developed for accelerometers (made by Tecnatom), these provid-ing us with technological independence and total control of the calibration process, as well as implying an important reduction in costs. These have been successfully tested at the Cofrentes and Almaraz plants.

• In the field of fresh nuclear fuel inspection, and following supply of the first TESCAN-RodScanner passive scanner to INB (Brazil) in 2014, 2015 has seen the development of new sub-systems that will form part of equipment in the future (most of these have been pat-ented):• Development of a new gamma detector with light detection by

means of an array of photodiodes.• Development of a new gamma detector with automatic tempera-

ture correction.• Development of a new traction unit with improved electronics

and mechanical elements to ensure uniform movement and sim-ple integration.

• Design of a dual line architecture.• Development of a gadolinium sensor for the automatic detection

of metallic impurities in fuel rods.

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• Performance of the activities included in the first year of the CAMP 2015-2018 (”Code Application and Maintenance Program”) agreement led by the Nuclear Regulatory Com-mission (NRC) and managed in Spain by the regulatory authority (CSN). During 2015 an operating twin-loop PWR plant model was developed using the TRACE code, obtain-ing a steady state under conditions close to those rated for 100% power.

• Participation in analysis of: confidence in the validation of human factors in the operation of nuclear power plant con-trol rooms. The conclusions drawn from this analysis, led by the NRC, will be used for revision of IEEE (Institute of Elec-trical and Electronics Engineers) guidelines.

• Analysis of the feasibility of using the detailed design data on new plants available in PIM (Plant Information Models) environments in order to optimise and increase the fidelity of simulation model development.

• Developments of the TEAH_FACTORS tool aimed at pro-viding support in human factors engineering tasks for the design of control rooms. The developments focussed on the analysis modules and the design of panel interfaces and instrument wiring.

• Development of advanced digital operations interfaces (ecological displays). Models applied to a PWR were devel-oped and integrated with a simulation load to check their validity in operator diagnosis of plant events.

• Modernisation of the computation platform of the Cof-rentes, Ascó and Almaraz NPP simulators.

• Design of a prototype advanced control room (ICCR: Innova-tive Concept of Control Room), including the manufacturing of a mock-up and operations interface prototypes to help in verification and validation.

• Participation in the drawing up of the new human factors guideline for the design and modification of control rooms: 3002004310 Human Factors Guidance for Control Room and Digital HSI Design & Modification.

• Participation in the EPRI SMR Staffing Optimization working group, a project dedicated to the analysis of methods and technologies that would make it possible to reduce small modular reactor plant personnel.

In the area of nuclear training:• Design, development and implementation of a new training

plan for the operators of VC Summer (AP-1000).• Development of new courses in the e-learning and blended

learning environment within the framework of the Tec-natom virtual academy development plan.

• Completion of the support alternator for situations of extensive damage simulator project for the Trillo NPP train-ing centre.

• Completion of the first phase of the ECVET project (job post definition) of the EC’s JRC.

• Completion of the task analysis project based on the SAT methodology for Garoña NPP.

• Completion of the second phase of the ANAV engineering personnel training plan development project (development of material for the course on fundamentals).

• Design of a new training plan for Almaraz-Trillo NPP manag-ers.

• Development of the new human factors simulator practical sessions module for the INPO shift supervisor seminar.

• Design, development and implementation of the new on-go-ing training process for front line supervisors on the human factors simulator for ANAV personnel.

• Design, development and implementation of a new post-Fukushima mock-up for GMDE training at Trillo NPP.

THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES ORGANISATION IS IN CHARGE OF ANALYSIS

OF THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL

ENVIRONMENT

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• Pilot project for the integration of simulation applications in the e-learning environment (STAR panel).• Development of an off-line application for the tracking of e-learning courses without loss of learning moni-

toring functionalities.• Application of the SAT methodology for analysis of the training implications of Guideline NEI 09-10 to pre-

vent the ingress of gases in plant systems for Trillo NPP, and development of the associated teaching material.

In the area of operations support and emergencies:• Development of the accident management programme (SABMG/EDMG) for Barakah NPP (Arab Emirates).• Delivery at the plant facilities of courses using the Cartagena combined cycle plant (GNF) simulator.• Participation in the coordination meeting between UNESA R&D&i Reference Centres (RC’s).• Collaboration in the development and commercialisation of a multi-media master course on Power Station

O&M.• Improvement and updating of the emergency management aid tools (PROMOCAT type tools) at several

Spanish nuclear power plants.• Participation in the European project for the rendering of advisory services on emergencies to the Brazilian

regulatory authority, with the participation of Tecnatom, Riskaudit, IRSN (France), GRS (Germany) and Stuk (Sweden).

• Participation in the ERO Training Barakah NPP project.• Participation in the European project for the rendering of advisory services to CNEN (Brazilian regulatory

authority).• Performance of a drill using actual teams at Cofrentes NPP, in collaboration with the plant emergency

response organisation. Loading tests were performed for the transport of CAE teams in Chinook helicopters by the Military Emergency Response Unit, and a drill was carried out with the latter for the airlifting of teams to Ascó NPP in the simulation of a scenario of loss of basic infrastructures and subsequent deployment and actuation of the CAE at the plant.

Operating screen of the Los Guinchos diesel electric plant simulator

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• Continuation of the process to obtain AENOR certification of the CAE Service under the UNE-ISO-22320 standard: Emergency management and requirements for response to incidents.

• Performance of the alarms optimisation project at the Río Bravo II, III and IV combined cycle plants.

• Performance of the INTECSA NORM project.

In the area of safety management:• Continued participation in the European Union CORONA

and NUSHARE projects relating to the development of safety culture skills. The NUSHARE project includes the use of micro-mobile-learnings.

• Continuation of a project for the development of an appli-cation (b-Safe) for mobile devices, to facilitate development and tracking of the safety culture.

• Development of an e-learning course for simplified root cause analysis.

• Development of an application for the management of les-sons learned.

• Development of a soft skills workshop introductory e-learn-ing course.

• Development of an e-learning course for the tracking of field observation coaching workshops.

INSPECTION AND TESTING SERVICES DIVISION

This division, whose main mission relates to operations in the inspection and testing services area, is equipped with in-house resources for the identification, development, start-up and transfer of technology solutions supporting operations and optimising the services rendered. In this respect, the main activities undertaken have been as follows:• Updating and tracking of an overall division technology plan

aimed at identifying and developing all technology activities that might drive efficiency and better positioning in the ren-dering of inspection and testing services.

• As the UNESA reference centre for NDT inspection, mate-rials and lifetime management techniques, among oth-ers, technical support has been provided by analysing and studying the operating experience reflected in almost one hundred EPRI technical documents, and drawing up reports on the applicability of category 1 documents to the Spanish nuclear power plants.

• Within the process of qualifying Tecnatom as an independ-ent inspection services laboratory for AIRBUS, industrial qualification has been obtained for the CU-07 immersion vat for the automatic inspection of carbon fibre parts using conventional pulse-echo and phased-array ultrasonic methods.

• Tecnatom’s certification by AENOR for the aerospace sec-tor, in accordance with the ISO-9001, UNE-EN 9100 and UNE-EN 9110 standards, has been renewed.

• The FastEco inspection system, oriented towards the meas-urement of piping thicknesses by means of phased-array technology, has been updated, its coverage being extended from 2 inch-diameter piping and its operability improved in terms of significantly reducing inspection times. In addition, the EvaECO data evaluation application has been developed with a view to simplifying and automating the analysis of the data acquired using the said inspection system.

Detail of a steam generator inspection system

• An EMAT-GW system has been developed that facilitates rapid and qualitative detection of the overall degradation of carbon steel pipes affected by phenomena of erosion/corrosion, allowing for the prioritisation of more detailed inspections (by means of FastEco) in areas detected as being the most critical using EMAT-GW technology.

• Phased-array ultrasonic techniques are being developed to cover the inspection of the austenitic welds of toroidal field coil cases within the ITER project.

• At EPRI, PDI qualifications have been extended with new vessel inspection procedures cov-ering supplements 4, 6 and 7, based on phased-array ultrasonic technology. The incorpo-ration of these new procedures allows for a reduction of the times currently required for vessel inspection using conventional technology.

• Different NDT technologies (geo-radar, ultrasonics and thermography) are available for the complete monitoring of concrete structures, allowing for assessment of the strength, density and quality of the concrete, the location and characterisation of voids and delam-inations, the location of metallic reinforcements and the study of their degree of conser-vation.

• Completion of the 7th MULTIMETAL framework programme project, oriented towards optimising the long-term operation of nuclear power plants.

• Continuation of work within the 7th Use-It-Wisely framework programme, including devel-opment of a collaborative tool connected to the MANAGEMENT database that allows for the management of inspections through the use of virtual 3D environments.

• The Euratom SOTERIA project has been initiated, its objective being to improve under-standing of the consequences of irradiation on the materials of the reactor vessel and its internals and improve the irradiation effects simulation tools available at Tecnatom through incorporation of the state-of-the-art of these tools in the EU.

• The new version of the ISI Web has been developed, with two new modules being incor-porated in the application: Component Leakage Module and Containment Visual Inspec-tion. The new development platform constitutes an improvement over the previous one in terms of capacities.

• The management tool has been migrated from the client-server version to the new Web environment platform. New modules have also been included, along with the possibility of navigating by plant drawings, which makes it possible to access infor-mation more intuitively and gain insight into the status of equipment.

SICOM-LEN equipment for the inspection of nuclear fuel rods

TECNATOM’S R&D INVESTMENT IS APPLIED TO ALL THE DIFFERENT

BUSINESS AREAS OF THE COMPANY

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• An application, eMISI, is being developed to improve and optimise the In-Service Inspection Manual management process, the aim being to integrate processes relating to the drawing up, revision and approval of this manual, guaran-teeing traceability. A Web platform will also be available for consultation and access from different terminals and pro-files.

• Equipment qualification testing capacities have been improved through the placing in service of two new climate chambers for the performance of environmental tests (dry heat, moist heat, cold and rapid temperature variations) in accordance with the IEC standard.

• The use of eddy current data acquisition equipment (ET Box 8i) integrated with the probe pushers for steam generator tube inspection services has been consolidated, this imply-ing a reduction of assembly times, simplification of the wir-ing and reduction of personnel doses.

• The dual eddy current probe (circular + rotary) has been implemented for the inspection of steam generator tubes affected by the denting phenomenon, the aim being to reduce inspection times.

• The first campaign for the qualification of the spent fuel leakage detection system (in-can sipping) has been com-pleted, integrating in-house and ENUSA technology.

• A motor-operated valve actuator calibration bench has been developed, complementing capacities in the diagnosis of these valves, in particular in the case of diagnoses per-formed subsequent to maintenance of the actuators, with calibration and setting carried out prior to coupling to the valve.

• The VITE-R 2.0 system for the diagnosis of check valves has been updated, incorporating phased-array ultrasonic techniques, this making it possible to improve the capacity of the system, especially when working with stainless steel valves. In this case, and depending on the configuration of the valves, this new technique provides greater sensitivity, thereby overcoming the limitations of the valve magnetic field measurement technique.

• Leakage measurement techniques based on the use of tracer gases alternative to Freon are being developed for HVAC system activated carbon filter testing. Tests are cur-rently being performed on the HVAC test bench using bro-mo-butane, this gas replacing the Freon used in these tests to date.

• The calibration capacities of the position sensors for snub-ber and spring functional testing equipment have been extended, incorporating calibration standards that have sig-nificantly improved measurement uncertainties.

• Technology transfers to the subsidiary Ibercal have been performed in the area of inspection and testing services in order to cover the foreseen spectrum of services.

Tecnatom develops high added value products and services for petrochemical plants

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CORPORATE MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

The mission of the Information and communications systems is to provide the organisation with the information and commu-nications technology services required to carry out its opera-tions in a safe, flexible, efficient and effective manner, driving improvement of the business and making it possible to meet those challenges that imply reliance on ICT’s.

The governance and management model implemented is based on the definition of a catalogue of IT services, a model of processes and the definition of a series of indicators ensuring alignment with the business. This model adheres to the ITIL and COBIT international standards.

Rendering of the services demanded by the business guar-antees the availability, capacity, continuity and security of the information required by the Group.

Management of the information systems corresponding to the subsidiaries continues to be integrated or carried out auton-omously using local resources but coordinated and oriented from the parent company, with advantage taken of synergies on the basis of criteria of optimisation and profitability.

The following are particularly noteworthy among the most important projects initiated in 2015 in relation to security:• Selection of tools to improve the protection of our informa-

tion assets and for the marking of documents.• Evaluations of the status of information security, from the

point of view both of management (auditing of compliance with ISO 27000) and systems (auditing of ethical hacking).

• Adaptation of Sertec and TECNES to the requirements of the law on the protection of data (LOPD).

• Definition of the security policies of Tecnatom China and Tecnatom do Brasil.

External auditing of the level of security points to a high degree of compliance with the controls contemplated in the most recent versions of the international standards on information security (ISO/IEC 27002 2013).

The increased flexibility, efficiency and effectiveness of pro-cesses has been achieved via the following activities:• Reorganisation of the systems area within the organisation,

systems and human resources division. Implementation of an internal organisation oriented towards services (internal and to clients) and transversal activities (IT security, quality, architecture and governance).

• Redefinition of the catalogue of services, orienting them towards the clients.

• Improvement of connectivity with headquarters and subsid-iaries. Private circuit with Tecnatom do Brasil.

• Adaptation of IT infrastructures of the subsidiaries TECNES and Ibercal Madrid.

• Homogenisation and adaptation of resources of meeting rooms and assembly halls.

• Implementation of IP telephony in mobile phones as an opti-misation of overseas telephony costs.

• Implementation of the new Office 365 productivity platform, providing the organisation with collaborative tools ensuring the flexibility and autonomy required by the business.

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The following activities may be singled out within the context of business improvement and compliance with POA initiatives by the different areas:• Consolidation of the recently implemented Microsoft ERP

AX in support of the business management system:• Stabilising the system at the level of both the end user

and the operating practices of the economics-finances division.

• Implementing the system at the subsidiary Sertec, improving the management of work hours dockets, absences, travel and expenses.

• Analysing the feasibility of implementing the manufac-turing module, which will make it possible to integrate the activity of the production area with purchases man-agement, finances and projects processes.

• Improving the spares management module, including facilities for the tracking of files and integrating it with the technical database.

• Selection of a management platform in support of the cor-porate talent management project.

• Implementation of a new system for management of experi-ence in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), with a view to opti-mising the certified personnel planning and control process.

• Definition of the commercial strategic plans management process and specification of a tool automating and improv-ing the tracking of opportunities.

• Implementation of a new system for the tracking of clients, which will allow value to be added to the information exist-ing in the different areas of relations with the clients.

• Implementation of the strategic balanced scorecard, inte-grating it with our information systems, which will allow us to undertake the tracking of our strategy.

• Updating of the EC DATAROOM infrastructure (stores, back-up and high availability), in order to ensure the reliabil-ity and availability of the inspection data evaluation service.

• Implementation of business areas monitoring services. Tak-ing advantage of the monitoring infrastructures of our data centre, new services have been implemented to optimise support for engineering and inspection activities during out-ages at the Spanish nuclear power plants.

QUALITY, SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

QUALITY

External audits

Tecnatom’s different technological capacities and services are periodically audited by a series of organisations and clients.

The following audits were successfully completed in 2015:

Organisations

• AENOR, audits for renewal of certification of the Tecnatom quality system in accordance with the ISO 9001 standard and for tracking of certifications in accordance with the EN 9100 and 9110 standards (aerospace sector).

• ENAC, audits of calibration laboratory, performance testing laboratory and dosimetry service accreditations in accord-ance with the ISO 17025 standard.

• SWEDAC, audit for tracking of Tecnatom accreditation by the Swedish NDT standards organisation. Accreditation in accordance with the ISO 17025 standard.

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A NEW INNOVATION MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN 2015

Process Improvement

The following activities have been performed with a view to improving the pro-cesses:• Control of the supply chain has been improved, reinforcing the process of sup-

plier evaluation.• Progress has been made in adapting the management of non-conformities to

the most advanced practices on the nuclear market.• Compliance with the best international practices relating to contract and pur-

chases revision processes has been strengthened, supported by the new avail-able computer tools.

The Innovation Management structure defined in Tecnatom’s corporate inno-vation project, approved by the board of directors in 2014, was implemented in 2015.

This new phase has seen reinforcement of the brainstorming sessions within the divisions, with an Innovation Promotion Group (IPG) being set up in each. Com-plementary to these IPG’s, the corporate Innovation Promotion Group (IPGc) was created, this being made up of members of all the divisions and dealing with ideas of a transversal nature not relating specifically to any division in particular. The tasks of adapting and promoting the computer tool Imaginn Ideas for manage-ment of the ideas of the employees has been continued from the IPGc.

During 2015, 181 ideas have been managed in Imaginn Ideas, of which 35 corre-sponded to the on-going process (general for the entire company) and another 146 were distributed among 16 brainstorming sessions set up in the different divi-sions.

System Improvement

The following improvements have been implemented in the quality system:• A new revised and improved client satisfaction measurement operating

method has been implemented.• A systematic approach has been defined and implemented in the quality and

the Environment organisation for the management of lessons learned.• The INPO principles of excellence for nuclear suppliers have been analysed, a

series of improvements applicable to the quality area being identified and their implementation initiated.

• The Tecnatom china quality system has been drawn up and put into practice with the direct participation of the quality organisation.

Companies

The following companies have audited Tecnatom in order to evaluate our quality assurance programme and its implemen-tation, the aim being to maintain our status as an approved supplier. Tecnatom has been audited by several companies, highlighting:• AIRBUS• CERNAVODA• CTEC• ELETROBRAS• ENSA• GENERAL ELECTRIC• INVENSYS• KHNP• WESTINGHOUSE

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Other Quality activities

The following activities are also worthy of special mention:• The programme of internal and supplier audits was put into

practice.• The programme of surveys and inspection points pro-

grammes mapped out were performed during 2015 at the nuclear power plants and in qualification, testing and manu-facturing activities.

• The corporate and quality documentation has been man-aged and filed.

• The company has participated in the management bodies of the Spanish Non-Destructive Testing Association (AEND), taking charge of the Secretariat General and the Quality Division of the Association.

• The company has intervened in the meetings of the quality and the environment auditing personnel certification com-mission (CERPER) of the Spanish Quality Association (AEC).

• The company has participated in the meetings of the ASME NQA Subcommittee on Engineering and Procurement.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The environmental management system on-going develop-ment and improvement process has continued throughout 2015, with the objective of reinforcing orientation towards a culture of environmental protection through the improvement of environmental management processes and practices and by motivating the personnel to adopt an attitude of improvement and innovation in this respect.

The following are outstanding as important milestones in this process:• As regards the programme of objectives established for the

two-year period 2015-2016, a degree of compliance of 59% was achieved in 2015.

• The environmental management indicators have continued to improve throughout the year, showing a reduction in the consumption of raw materials and natural resources and an increase in recycling compared to previous years.

• Incorporation into environmental training of all the personnel of subsidiaries and subcontractors performing activities at corporate headquarters or on clients’ premises (178 people).

• Suitable management of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and of the different areas in which they are gener-ated, with new activities having been incorporated (CAE, workshops, heavy buildings, etc.).

• Complete incorporation of the new 2nd headquarters facili-ties in the environmental management and surveillance pro-gramme.

• Satisfactory result from the Tecnatom ISO 14001 certi-fication tracking audit, performed by TÜV. The auditors underlined as strong points the high degree of involvement of those responsible for the environmental management system in its maintenance and improvement and the envi-ronmental improvement actions aimed at reducing the sig-nificant environmental impacts of the organisation.

The results of the evaluations, audits and inspections carried out show that the level of adaptation and implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS) to Tecnatom’s activities is high, with practically no corrective actions but rather preventive or improvement actions, this indicating the maturity of the system.

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THE TECNATOM QUALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT SYSTEM IS AUDITED

IN DETAIL EVERY YEAR BY BOTH CLIENTS AND INTERNATIONAL

ORGANISATIONS

PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL RISK

Integration of prevention

The scheduled activities set out below have been carried out in order to achieve the integration of occupational risk preven-tion within the company, in accordance with the legal require-ments governing this issue.• Promotion of manager leadership in relation to POR:

• A course has been delivered to managers and interme-diate executives on Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS). This course analyses the motivations underlying behaviours (background and consequences) and the way in which managers may bring their influence to bear in order to achieve behaviours aligned with safety from their collab-orators.

• A course has been delivered to managers and inter-mediate executives on Safety Preventive Observations (SPO). This course has provided notions for managers to act proactively on the spot in relation to the safety-re-lated behaviour of their collaborators. In this respect, the managers should observe compliance with the safety standards by their personnel in the work place and, as appropriate, reinforce or correct the behaviours observed.

• The managers have participated in the safety inspec-tions performed periodically at the facilities.

• Preliminary investigations of accidents have been car-ried out by each manager affected by these events.

The EMS has been continuously strengthened in recent years, and does not currently show any weaknesses with respect to the standards or the legislation. It is in a stage of on-going improve-ment.

DOCUMENTARY CENTRE

In addition to the habitual corporate information management tasks, the documentary centre has carried out the following activities in 2015:• An analysis has been made of the problems associated with

the ownership of information and its relationship with the control and broadcasting of contents within the business group and clients. The policy regarding subscriptions to pub-lications has been updated and management of the stand-ards has been adapted to the digital format.

• The project on improvement of documentation use at NPP’s has been completed.

• The documentary management process has been revised and the foundations set for implementation during 2016 of a new management model with a wider scope than the current one.

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THE OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT RATE FOR THIS YEAR IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS

• Employee training/motivation in relation to POR: During 2015 a total 43 courses were carried out, implying

122 training events including the participation of 812 train-ees. The total number of man-hours dedicated amounted to 6,076. The main contents were as follows:• Generic courses on the prevention of occupational risk

(for the adaptation of preventive and general resources by profiles).

• Courses on behaviour management (behaviour-based safety).

• NPP access courses.• Courses relating to emergency plans (evacuation teams,

fire extinguishing, first aid, basic vital support, cardio-pul-monary reanimation and semi-automatic defibrillation).

• Courses relating to health monitoring (expert in profes-sional diseases).

• Courses on the prevention of specific risks (work at heights, confined spaces, electrical risk for authorised and qualified workers, handling of chemical products, operation of gantry cranes, operating of fork-lift trucks, operation of mobile personnel hoisting platforms, han-dling of fluids under pressure, explosive atmospheres).

• Courses on road safety.• Dissemination of prevention activities.

Operation of the prevention service miniweb has begun and 11 items have been published in the employee portal.

Reassessment of Psycho-social Risks

The reassessment of psycho-social risks has now been com-pleted and the final report was submitted to the health and safety committee in October.

Extension of the Joint Prevention Service

The Tecnatom Group joint prevention service was extended in January, the subsidiary company Ibercal being incorporated.

Work at clients’ facilities

The work performed at the clients’ facilities has required the drawing up of 122 specific prevention plans plus the individual documentation associated with each worker (training certif-icates, IPE delivery dockets, etc.), for the worker of both the parent company and the subsidiaries.

In the case of work performed during refuelling outages at the Spanish nuclear power plants, which have meant the displace-ment to these installations of a number of Tecnatom and sub-sidiary company employees, technicians from the prevention service have also been sent to the plant sites to collaborate on the spot in the prevention of risks.

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Tecnatom mobile internal dosimetry unit

Occupational accident rate

There have been 3 accidents in the work place in 2015, none of which led to any absence from work.

In view of the data shown in the following table, which reflects the occupational accident rate from Janu-ary to December over the last 5 years, it may be appreciated that in comparative terms this year has been fairly favourable, since all the indicators for 2015 are below the average for the previous years.

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Avg. 5 years

Accidents with absence 1 4 1 3 0 1.8

Total accidents 11 12 7 7 3 8.0

Working days lost 15 87 6 62 0 34.0

Frequency index 0.64 2.5 0.69 2.34 0.00 1.23

Index of seriousness 0.010 0.054 0.004 0.048 0.000 0.023

Index of incidence 1.08 4 1.17 3.71 0.00 2.04

WANO index 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00

These positive results have been also observed related to in-itinere accidents, the evolution for similar periods over the last 5 years is shown in the following table:

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Avg. 5 years

Accidents with absence 7 1 1 2 0 2.2

Accidentes totales 10 6 2 13 3 6.8

During 2015, several theoretical-practical courses have been carried out in collaboration with the Span-ish Royal Automobile Club (RACE).

As regards the occupational accident rate it should be pointed out that 2015 has been the first year in the last three decades in which there has been no accident leading to absence from work, either at work or during journeys.

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RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION

Operation of Radioactive Facilities

The radioactive facilities have operated correctly throughout the year, with a total 2,667 entries and 40 radioactive material transport operations.

The Nuclear Safety Council carried out its periodic inspections of these facilities during the month of April, with satisfactory results.

Dosimetry

The Tecnatom, S.A. dosimetry burden in 2015 was character-ised by the three following data:• Collective dose: 326,9 mSv x person• Average dose: 0,75 mSv/person• Maximum dose: 8,9 mSv

Shown below by way of a reference are the percentages that the aforementioned values represent compared to the target limits for the year: • Average dose: 62.5%• Maximum dose: 74.1%• Collective dose: 62.6%

The doses received have been lower than initially foreseen, mainly due to the fact that the interventions in the refuel-ling outages at the Cofrentes and Laguna Verde plants have resulted in lower dosimetry burdens than those expected on the basis of the historical records.

AUDITS

The following audits were carried out during 2015:• Internal audit performed on July 20th in preparation for the

official audit for the renewal of CEFRI certification (Comité Français de Certification des Entreprises pour la Formation et suivi du personnel travaillant sous Rayonnements Ion-isants).

• Official CEFRI audit, performed on September 29th, for renewal of certification of the radiological protection man-agement system in relation to interventions at French nuclear power plants.

• Audit of the SST management system, performed on Octo-ber 19th and 20th with the help of the consulting firm ATI-SAE. This audit corresponds to the annual internal audit required by the OHSAS 18001 specification.

• Annual audit for monitoring of SST management system certification in accordance with the OHSAS 18001 standard, performed on November 24th and 30th (at Ascó NPP and San Sebastián de los Reyes TPP, respectively) by the audit-ing company TÜV Rheinland.

• Two-yearly audit required by the legislation in force, per-formed by the auditing company TÜV Rheinland on Novem-ber 30th and December 23rd.

THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY AND

HUMAN PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS, A

SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE DOSE OF

PROFESSIONALLY EXPOSED PERSONNEL HAS BEEN

ACHIEVED OVER THE YEAR

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Furthermore, over this last year Tecnatom has strengthened its position as a receiver of interns from universities. In this way the company maintains its strong commitment to the employees, clients and owners, providing these people with the opportunity of initiating their career in the company, and also its commitment to society, since these internships are a gateway to the job market.

In this respect, 102 scholarships were awarded in 2015, with 74 being newly assigned and 22 of the interns being recruited via a process of selection. Furthermore, within the framework of the foreseen planning, 8 early retirement handover contracts were managed.

The processes carried out by Tecnatom very often bring with them the requirement for profiles with highly specific and developed professional skills, this implying the need for a highly specialised selection team. Similarly, it has been nec-essary to develop a personnel recruiting model for the new Tecnatom Group Spanish companies.

Tecnatom believes in the development of initiatives reflecting our commitment to strengthening the capabilities of our pro-fessionals, contributing to improved performance, guarantee-ing internal equal opportunities and effectively optimising the company’s resources.

In this respect the training plan, aligned with the objectives of the business, facilitates the growth of its professionals and guarantees the availability of a highly qualified technical team capable of providing the best service with the highest levels of commitment to both the clients and the projects in hand.

In 2015, the Tecnatom professionals received around 50,000 hours of training, this meaning that 95% of the workforce has been trained and that 550 courses have been delivered for more than 3,600 trainees, distributed in the following areas:

It should also be pointed out that Human Resources has worked on the design of an efficient model for professional development, allowing for an evolution in keeping with the professional aspirations of each individual within the frame-work of the objectives of the company.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND ORGANISATION

The Tecnatom human resources management policy is defined on the basis of the targets we have set ourselves as a company. Consequently, the strategic business plan is a permanent point of reference, and is shaped year by year depending on the sur-rounding circumstances.

Furthermore, in recent years the consolidation of the Tecnatom Group has defined new objectives requiring an agile and flexi-ble management model adapted to the reality of the Tecnatom Group.

In this respect, in 2015 activities associated with recruiting have responded to the need to moderate increases in the workforce; in this respect there has been a slight decrease in the average Tecnatom workforce but a clear increase in the Group subsid-iaries.

The recruiting and contracting Service is oriented more towards consolidation of the Tecnatom culture in all the Group com-panies, incorporating carefully selected people regardless of whether this incorporation is to be temporary or stable.

During the last year, 6,592 curricula were received, leading to the incorporation of 84 new people in the workforce, distrib-uted among the different subsidiaries of the Group.

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In addition, organisations based on knowledge and innovation, such as Tecnatom, must define plans making it possible to sys-tematise the processes of managing talent and human capital. In this context, work has continued on the processes of knowl-edge management and turnover plans designed to preserve, periodically update and effectively transfer tacit and explicit knowledge in an orderly and efficient manner.

Furthermore, since 2015 the human resources area has been working on the implementation of management tools as an overall solution to the processes of managing the Tecnatom Group people.

Another of the key projects performed in 2015 has been the implementation of a new organisational model in the control rooms and simulation area, this being a pilot experience that will be continued in other areas of the company. This model is ori-ented towards project-based management. On a market that is constantly being transformed, we must aspire to improving our competitive position, and this requires a multi-faceted team and a response to expectations regarding professional devel-opment. The new model also brings greater flexibility, since it provides professionals capable of facing different challenges, participating in widely varying projects and accepting different technical and management-related responsibilities.

Furthermore, as part of the objective of making communication a value directly associated with our culture, several initiatives have been undertaken from the area of internal communica-tions, some of them programmed as part of the annual com-munication plan and others circumstantial, with many of them aimed at recovering motivation and commitment in the wake of a complicated 2014.

The management of Tecnatom is convinced that internal com-munication is a key element in the management of organisa-tions and a very powerful tool for the promotion of a good social and working environment. In this respect, and as is habit-ual every two years, the status of communications has been analysed by means of surveys, this having led to specific action plans for those organisations so requiring. In addition, the sta-tus of commitment was measured with a view to continuing the audit of the working environment performed in 2014.

Moving on to other things, in 2015 important efforts were ded-icated to the design of the communications policy for the Tec-natom Group overall, this to be implemented throughout 2016.

The internal communications area also designs and develops communication campaigns, either in response to requests from the different organisations or on the initiative of the company. In this respect, 2015 has been characterised by a campaign on excellence, which achieved an important impact at all levels and attracted a noteworthy degree of participation by the Group’s employees.

THE TECNATOM MANAGEMENT IS CONVINCED THAT INTERNAL

COMMUNICATION IS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISATIONS

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Tecnatom possesses a communications channel that concentrates a large part of the company’s communications activities, the Keops 2.0 portal. In addition to being the main channel for general information for the employees, this platform includes a number of collaborative tools oriented towards promoting participative commu-nications and optimising knowledge management.

Throughout 2015, 932 items of information were drawn up and published on the portal by internal communications, this implying an average 4.2 posts each working day. To this figure should be added the 15 posts that are generated daily via blogs or miniwebs or the social network itself.

Included within Keops, Tecnatom TV is one of the communication channels that have the best usage indexes. All the contents are prepared integrally at Tecnatom, and in 2015 those created within the framework of the campaign on excellence and the communications from our general manager were especially relevant. How-ever, work continues on the creation of informative, educational, technical and even entertaining contents that allow information on the group to be offered in a direct and familiar manner.

As in previous years, the year ended with an event celebrating those employees who have been with the company for 25, 35 and 40 years. This event, which is con-ceived as an opportunity to publicly recognise the dedication of these people over the years, also reflects the essence of a human resources policy that above all else purports to make this commitment a goal in itself.

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Metalscan, S.A.S. (from hereon Metalscan) is a company based in France and dedicated to the production of Non-Destructive Testing inspection systems, mainly for industrial sector com-ponents.

For the integration of its systems, Metalscan uses technology provided by Tecnatom in the field of electronics, control sof-tware, ultrasonics and eddy currents. This allows Metalscan to commercialise high added value top-of-the-range products.

The on-going development plan has required a move to a new building in Saint Loup de Varennes, with a higher capacity for manufacturing and the performance of testing services. This plan has meant better technological positioning for the supply of major inspection systems.

MARKETS

The geographical area covered by Metalscan corresponds to the European (France, Italy, Germany, Benelux, Spain, Russia, etc.) and Asian (China, South Korea, Turkey, Malaysia and Singa-p¬ore) markets. The company also operates in South America and is planning to extend its commercialisation activities to the United States.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• Innovation in the design of ultrasonic transducers: use of piezo-composite technology for probes with special shapes, industrial probes, probes with sheaves, etc.

• Development of the CLUSTER technology for local immer-sion by means of a flexible membrane-covered water cham-ber.

• New design of the SINUS mechanical system and phased-array header for the Galaxy mechanical equipment.

• Software LINEVIEW: on-line phased-array, multiple mode inspection of tubes and other lengthy products, with auto-matic analysis of registers and marking of defects:• Advanced focal law calculator.• Revision 1.4 for systems for the on-line inspection of rods

and tubes with submerged arc welds (SAW).• Innovation in the design and capacities of immersion tanks

for UT inspection:• Integration of hydraulic hoists for long and heavy iron and

steel products (rods and profiles of different cross-sec-tions in aluminium or steel).

• Inclusion of a laser device for the correction of distor-tions and adjustment of the inspection header by pro-duct rotation (weld tracking).

• Multiple zone UT headers for in-line billet inspection.• Delivery of a 40-metre vat for Nanshan Aluminium in

China.

SUBSIDIARIESMETALSCAN

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FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ITS SYSTEMS, METALSCAN USES THE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDED BY TECNATOM

IN THE FIELDS OF ELECTRONICS, CONTROL

SOFTWARE, ULTRASONICS AND EDDY CURRENTS

Immersion ultrasonic inspection system

• Development of on-line inspection systems:• Inspection of rods by means of circular and floating header phased-array transducers.• Inspection of submerged arc welds (SAW) by means of a set of five phased-array transdu-

cers integrated in CLUSTER type devices and floating headers.• Mechanical devices for the integration of phased-array probes in tube and rod inspection

gantries.

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 7,029 6,622 7,894

Average workforce 49 50 51

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M2M

M2M S.A.S (from hereon M2M) is a limited company based in France and set up in 2003 that develops and commercialises advanced technology ultrasonic and eddy current Non-Destructive Testing instruments.

The M2M instruments have exclu-sive hardware and software capa-cities such as the total focusing method, which makes them uni-que high performance niche mar-ket products.

The shareholder structure is as follows:

MARKETS

Consolidation of the global commercial and support network, with special attention to the United States, Brazil and China.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• Obtaining of ISO 9001 certification.• Commercialisation of the Gekko portable ultrasonic equipment, introducing the total

focusing method (focussing of the ultrasonic beam in the total volume of the part) and completion of its global distribution network.

• Initiation of development of the new massively parallel electronics, Úrsula.

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 5,017 5,373 5,576

Average workforce 39 43 43

GEKKO inspection equipment

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On February 1st 2010, Tecnatom S.A. signed an agency con-tract with the “Brazilian company Performance Engenharia e Consultoría Ltda” with a view to facilitating and increasing Tec-natom’s presence on the Brazilian market in the nuclear, aero-nautical and industrial areas.

In 2012 Tecnatom S.A. acquired 90% of “Performance Engen-haria e Consultoría Ltda”, the name of which was subsequently changed to “Tecnatom do Brasil Engenharia e Serviços Ltda” (from hereon Tecnatom do Brasil).

The corporate purpose of Tecnatom do Brasil consists of acti-vities relating to:• The rendering of technical and consulting services in the

planning, implementation, maintenance, licensing and ope-ration of power generation and distribution groups and industrial processes.

• Development and implementation of training systems and technical documentation and planning and performance of evaluations, inspection and technical analyses for power generation and distribution groups and industrial proces-ses.

• Trading, importing and exporting of mechanical, electrical, electronic and telecommunications materials and equip-ment, computer systems and any other material and equip-ment.

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 945 2,209 2,159

Average workforce 8 21 17

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• On-going training contract activities for licensed and non-li-censed personnel of Angra 1 and Angra 2 nuclear power plants.

• Logistical and technical support for Tecnatom S.A. in the performance of its activities during outages at the Angra 1 and Angra 2 plants.

• In 2015 Tecnatom do Brasil achieved the first inspection contract of its own, consisting of the maintenance and diag-nosis of air-operated valves at Angra 1 NPP.

• Also awarded to Tecnatom do Brasil has been the inspec-tion of the high and low pressure rotor disks at Group 1 of the Jorge Lacerda thermal power plant (Santa Catarina, Brazil), belonging to Tractebel, this being our first contract in the non-nuclear sector.

• Local support for Tecnatom S.A. has continued within the framework of the Angra 1 simulator, fuel assembly scanner for Industrias Nucleares Brasileñas and ultrasonic equip-ment for the inspection of aeronautical components for Alestis do Brasil projects. In all these cases, the Tecnatom do Brasil personnel are being prepared to provide local technical support.

• Participation in numerous congresses, meetings and semi-nars in the nuclear and general energy sectors (INAC 2015, SIEN, CAND, AEROSPACE MEETINGS, etc.).

TECNATOM DO BRASIL

Angra nuclear power plant (Brazil)

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Tecnatom Emergencias y Servicios de Explotación, S.L.U. (from hereon TECNES) was constituted on July 26th 2012. The com-pany’s administration body is made up of two joint administra-tors.

The company was set up with the objective of performing acti-vities fulfilling the special characteristics and demands required by the Emergency Support Centre (CAE), in order to provide support for the Spanish nuclear power plants. The CAE project began in 2012 and was developed throughout 2013. The CAE operational phase began in 2014 and acceptance tests were performed at all the plants. During 2015 the complete opera-tion of the services has been consolidated.

MARKETS

The subsidiary TECNES provides support for the expansion of the parent company in complementary services not currently rendered, access to which is improved by the flexibility and con-ditions required for their performance. The reference target market is power stations.

The company has defined its field of action in the medium term and the portfolio of products/markets to be offered, deman-ded by the parent company, forming two areas of support: Emergency Support Centre operational support services and Operations Engineering support services.

During 2015 TECNES has consolidated its collaboration with Tecnatom in the area of emergencies and has undertaken emergency support services within the framework of the

agreement for the rendering of services to the Spanish Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Support Centre.

During the last year, TECNES has continued to work for Tecnatom in the maintenance of the contracts with ENEL

for the monitoring of plants with TecSOLCEP, with ANAV for the maintenance of RELAP models, among others, and in the internationalisation of operations enginee-ring support services in Latin America, with different proposals as regards the monitoring of efficiency and simulation with RELAP, and on the Chinese market for the dissemination of TecSOLCEP.

TECNES

Personnel of the Emergency Support Centre (CAE) during a site drill

THE TECNATOM GROUP SUBSIDIARIES CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF THE BUSINESS

90

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• The annual on-going training plan has been carried out for the CAE Intervention Unit in Madrid, this consisting of the performance in April of the fire-fighting course and the course on the operation and maintenance of the CAE’s emergency equipment, work at heights, verification techni-ques and activation drills.

• In June a Chinook helicopter equipment loading test was performed at the FAMET base in Colmenar to verify loading dockets and determine centres of gravity and other flight variables.

• The drill for the annual test using actual equipment was carried out at Cofrentes NPP in July, including the activa-tion, mobilisation, deployment and connection of the equi-pment and the operation of the intervention unit in a drill integrated with the Cofrentes NPP ERO (Emergency Res-ponse Organisation). During the test a scenario of complete loss of electrical feed to the facility was recreated.

• On-going training was held at Trillo NPP in August and at Almaraz NPP in September. The issues dealt with included the layout of the buildings at the plant, plant systems, equi-pment and components associated with the systems and different local extensive damage mitigation strategies.

• In October an integrated scope drill was carried out with Ascó NPP and the UME, consisting of activation of the CAE as a result of loss of infrastructures for the transfer of 2 die-sel generators from Colmenar air base to Ascó NPP, loading of the equipment on the helicopters, the flight to the plant, unloading and transfer to the connection points and subse-quent loading of the equipment and return to the Colmenar base.

• Training of the new Ascó NPP intervention technician has now been completed. This person occupied his definitive post in May and is now fully operative.

• During the last annual tracking meeting of 2015, all the pen-ding quality issues relating to the design phase of the CAE were closed.

• In 2015 the contracts for maintenance of the TecSOLCEP tool were consolidated, maintained and in certain cases renewed. This performance improvement tool has been used in combined cycle plants in Spain, Chile and Portugal.

• The TecSOLCEP development project for nuclear power plants was addressed in 2015, based on the use of RELAP models ready for commercialisation.

• The installation of a new server has been completed at the TECNES offices in order to achieve greater integration within the Tecnatom group. Following adaptations and modifica-tions to the local network facilities, printers and new SW, the integration was completed under perfect conditions.

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 237 713 726

Average workforce 6 14 13

TecSOLCEP tool for the measurement of plant cycle efficiency

91

Tecnatom USA Corporation (ferom hereon Tecnatom USA), was set up in April 2014. Its administrative organisation consists of two joint administrators.

The main goal of Tecnatom USA is to provide support for and extend Tecnatom’s activities in the United States and other countries.

MARKETS

The reference target market is the North American nuclear sector, although in the medium to long-term it will also be oriented towards the conventional power generation market.

The training services provided to Westinghouse for the AP 1000 reactor are requiring the continuous presence of qualified employees in the United States, for which reason these services have been the first to be addressed from the new subsidiary.

As regards services on the nuclear market, Tecnatom USA has also begun to provide support for other international group activities through the participation of specialists in widely var-ying areas of expertise, such as support for operations, emer-gencies or engineering.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

In accordance with the Westinghouse standards for the AP-1000, the full qualification of three of the four American ins-tructors has now been completed (for classroom and simulator) and a fourth instructor has achieved classroom qualification. Five instructors managed to renew their qualifications by completing the processes of requalification for the classroom and simulator.

Negotiations have now been completed for renewal of the tea-ming agreement with Westinghouse for the coming five years (2016-2020), this now pending signing.

Throughout 2015, support services have been provided with specifically contracted American specialists for a number of training projects on the international market led by Tecnatom, S. A.

Specific commercial activities have also been initiated in the nuclear sector, oriented towards the potential services of a localised company with the competences of the Tecnatom group. A collaboration agreement has been reached with an American company for the joint commercialisation of DSOF services on the US market (Accelerant Technologies Ltd.).

2014 2015

Turnover 142 565

Average workforce 1 4

TECNATOM USA

TECNATOM IS CONSOLIDATING ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT

OF NEW NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS, SUCH AS THE AP-1000 FACILITIES IN THE

UNITED STATES

92

DURING THE YEAR, THE PROCESS OF EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE SUBSIDIARY TO INCLUDE MARKETS

OTHER THAN THE NUCLEAR ONE HAS BEEN COMPLETED

In keeping with the strategic internationalisation plan, in 2013 the decision was taken to set up Beijing Tecnatom Nuclear Power Safety Technology Services Company Limited (en ade-lante Tecnatom China) with 100% Tecnatom S.A capital..

This subsidiary began it operations on July 1st 2014, its main objective being the supply of services to the nuclear sector and to provide support to the parent company in the performance of projects and development of the business in China.

MARKETS

The company was originally set up to cover the nuclear market, mainly in the areas of safety, operation and training, although its scope may also extend to other group businesses such as the development of products and support in inspection servi-ces. In the coming years the scope will be extended to cover other markets such as conventional generation, renewable energy sources and the industrial sector.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

The process of extending the scope of the business was com-pleted in 2015, allowing us to undertake commercial activities on markets other than the nuclear.

It has been a year of intense activity in the commercial area, with closer relations with the operating plants and the regula-tory authority’s technical support centre.

In addition, new local contracts have been achieved in the area of control room design and manufacturing, and two Chinese engineers have been qualified as PWR operations instructors, this constituting a step forward in the process of localisation, of key importance for the achievement and successful perfor-mance of future projects.

2014 2015

Turnover 449 1,061

Average workforce 19 17

TECNATOM CHINA

Employees of Tecnatom China

93

CGNPC Inspection Technology Company, Ltd. (from hereon CITEC) was set up in 2007 by China Nuclear Power Technology Research Institute Co. (from hereon CNPRI) and Tecnatom. The former provided 75% of the share capital and the latter the remaining 25%.

The shareholding of CITEC changed officially on January 1st 2012, the CNPRI shares being transferred to Suzhou Nuclear Power Research Institute (from hereon SNPI).

CITEC is an inspection company that was set up to cover the pre-service inspection (PSI) and in-service inspection (ISI) needs of the nuclear groups belonging to the electricity uti-lity China Guandong Nuclear Group (CGN). In fulfilling this objective, CITEC uses equipment and technology developed by Tecnatom, along with whatever technical assistance might occasionally be required.

The CITEC strategic goal is to become a competitive world-class in-service inspection company holding internatio-nal quality certification and with a capacity allowing it to render services to the CGNPC nuclear power plants and others outside China.

The CITEC mission is to operate in keeping with internatio-nal standards and thereby become a reference in ISI techno-logy, thus ensuring the economic and operational efficiency of nuclear power plants. In order to achieve this objective, CITEC has mapped out three strategic lines of action:• Technological innovation.• Promotion of the capabilities of its human resources and

reinforcement of the safety culture.• Quality in services for the clients.

MARKETS

CITEC covers fundamentally the Chinese market, collaborates with Tecnatom in certain activities on the Spanish market and is open to international activity.

In 2015 CITEC provided support for Tecnatom in the following:• Harbin and Shanghai aeronautical project, providing perio-

dic SPV technical support.• Steam generator (SG) analysts during refuelling outages at

Vandellós 2 and Ascó-1 nuclear power plants.

In turn Tecnatom S.A. has provided support for CITEC with SG analysts at 4 nuclear sites: Ling Ao 3, Yangjiang 1, Ningde 2 and Daya Bay 1, as well as support during rector vessel inspections at the Hongyanghe 2, Yangjiang 1 and 3 and Ningde 2 plants.

CITEC

CITEC ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO TECNATOM IN ACTIVITIES ON DIVERSIFIED MARKETS, SUCH AS THE AEROSPACE SECTOR

94

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• During 2015 the company has carried out nine (9) ISI inspections and four (4) PSI inspections at the following thirteen (13) nuclear power plants: Daya Bay, Ling Ao 3 and 4, Hongyanhe 1 and 2, Ningde 1,2 and 4, Yanjiang 1 and 3, Fangchenggang 1 and 2 and Taishan 1.

• For the first time CITEC has carried out non-standard inspections such as inspec-tion of the steam generator dividing plate, inspection of the vessel bottom instru-mentation (BMI), inspection of control rod drive mechanisms (CRDM) and steam generator helium inspections.

• CITEC eddy current analysts have participated in SG inspection work at Vandellós 2 and Ascó 1, providing support for Tecnatom.

• During peak work loads in 2015, CITEC performed inspections at six sites simulta-neously to the satisfaction of the clients.

• All the buildings foreseen at the Suzhou Industrial Park have now been completed, with the finishing of the Rx Radiations Building, the total constructed area amoun-ting to around 28,000 m2.

• Implementation of a communications system at the Suzhou facilities for remote maintenance from the Tecnatom premises.

• Development of the inspection systems for vessel instrumentation penetrations, steam generator dividing plates and CRDM’s of CPR technology plants has been completed and successfully implemented in the field.

• In 2015 the management of CITEC has continued to reinforce the implementation of the safety culture among all its personnel.

2013 2014 2015

Turnover 20,994 26,228 29,248

Average workforce 228 240 281

CRONOS equipment for control rod inspection

95

Following the acquisition by Tecnatom of IBERCAL Inspectores y Consultores in 2014, in 2015 IBERCAL has focused on diversi-fying and reinforcing its activities by taking advantage of syner-gies with the technological capabilities of the Tecnatom Group, this having allowed the company to improve the competitive-ness of certain of its Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services.

MARKETS

IBERCAL is characterised and consolidated as a subsidiary supplying NDT inspection and component testing services, mainly in the industrial, power generation and aeronautical sec-tors.

Other activities performed by the subsidiary, that in certain cases complement the services habitually provided by Tec-natom, are: radiography inspections, positive identification of metals, material hardness testing, certification and consulting on quality in manufacturing, equipment goods maintenance, the development of welding and heat treatment procedures and the homologation of welders.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

• Definitive implementation and consolidation of the IBER-CAL delegation in Madrid, with dimensioning of the wor-kforce to address the rate of growth of the services to be rendered.

• Active participation in LUS TEAM aeronautical project.

• Supply of aeronautical services to ENSIA, development of procedures, validation of NDT techniques and inspections for Airbus in Spain and France.

• Eddy current inspections at different thermal-solar plants, industrial factories and hospitals.

• Performance of ToFD + UT + MT inspections on different components at the Air Liquid factory in A Coruña, carrying out the process of adaptation for ToFD technology transfer.

• Performance of thickness measurement by ultrasonics on components at Laguna Verde NPP in Mexico.

• Positive identification of metals for different components at Ascó and Cofrentes nuclear power plants.

• Support for the operations of Shell and OHL Industrial through the permanent presence of a resident inspector at their facilities.

• Ibercal performed the outage activities relating to ultrasonic and eddy current inspections at the Bahia Bizkaia Electrici-dad power plant.

• Performance of NDT activities on different vessels at the shipyards of Sestao, Zamakona and Arrospe, and different NDT and component testing activities for Papelera de Zicu-ñaga, Babcock Montajes and Ondoan.

• Homologation of welders for Construcciones Navales del Norte, Adim Lift, Gobar, Calge and Duarte.

2014 2015

Volumen de negocio 2,608 5,025

Plantilla media 47 74

IBERCAL

IBERCAL SUPPLIES COMPONENT INSPECTION AND TESTING SERVICES

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Tecnatom, S.A.Avda. de Montes de Oca, 1

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