OPG Unplugged

UNPLUGGEDSUMMER 2011

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION | UNPLUGGED STUDENT NEWSLETTER | SUMMER 2011

s t u d e n t n e w s l e t t e r

2 | Unplugged SUMMER 2011

Summer 2011

CONTENTS

3. OPG 101: Students Start Off the Summer Term Pam Lau

4. Nanticoke Generating Station TourAoran Li

6. Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox GameBrendan Kelley and Stephanie Ng

7. Ryan BrabantTestimonial

8. Student Charity Book Drive for Youth in Aboriginal Com-munitiesRupinder Bassi

9. Aditya PrasharTestimonial

10. Arpita DesaiTestimonial

11. Jessica CannellaTestimonial

UnpluggedSTUDENT NEWSLETTER

SUMMER 2011

Editorial tEam

Pam LauStephanie Ng

Contributors

Rupinder BassiRyan BrabantJessica CannellaArpita DesaiNauman GillBrendan KelleyPam LauAoran LiRaheel NaqviStephanie NgNishit PatelAditya PrasharMax Yan

12. Nishit Patel Testimonial

12. Max YanTestimonial

13. Rupinder BassiTestimonial

14. Fourth Annual Ontario Student Energy ForumRaheel Naqvi

15. Work Term Presentations and Final Farewell, Head OfficeBen Goodman

15. Work Term Presentations and Final Farewell, PickeringNauman Gill

We would like to extend a special thank you to Rose-Mary Matusiak, Senior Staffing Consultant at Talent Manage-ment, Corporate Human Resources. Her unwavering support of OPG’s student program does not go unnoticed.

On behalf of the students, we thank Rose-Mary for her hard work and dedication.

BY PAM LAU, COMMUNICATIONS CO-OP STUDENT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PICKERING NUCLEAR

Summer 2011 Unplugged | 3

On Thursday, May 19, 60 fresh-faced students piled into the third floor auditorium of 777 Brock Road, Pickering for the official orientation of the Summer term. BROUGhT IN AS APPRENTICES, NON-DEvELOPMENTAL ANDDEvELOPMENTAL STUDENTS, CO-OPS, AND INTERNS, ThEY WOULD SPEND ThE NExT fOUR TO 12 MONThS WORKING IN vARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND LOCATIONS ACROSS OPG.

Organized by Talent Management of Corporate human Resources, the event was an opportunity for new and returning students to meet one another and hear from a number of speakers about corporate-wide, site-specific and student-initiated activities.

Paul Spekkens, vice President, Science and Technology Development at Pickering Nuclear, started off by welcoming the new students to the company. he disclosed secrets to a successful placement, such as not

being afraid to ask questions in any event of uncertainty.

Greg Jackson, Director of Con-ventional Safety followed with an explanation of OPG’s safety-centric corporate culture. he emphasized the need to perform safe practices both in and outside of the workplace.

Edward Zhang, Membership and Networking Chair of North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) Durham Chapter, listed opportu-nities to get involved, socialize, and network with other employees.

Tara Kimberley, Site Communi-cations Officer at Public Affairs, Pickering Nuclear, wrapped up the speeches with an overview of the company’s nuclear systems and operations.

An icebreaking activity helped students find out about each other’s interests and plan for future get-togethers.

Students left feeling equipped with the resources needed to make the most of their time at OPG, mak-ing some new friends along the way.

OPG 101

STUDENTS START OFF THE SUMMER TERM


On Wednesday, June 15, 40 students from various groups at OPG got together and explored the Nanticoke Generating Station.

Upon arrival, students were invited to an orientation session, where engineers gave interactive presentations on topics such as the process of electricity generation using fossil fuels.

Before the tour could begin, students were split into groups and given personal protective equipment and a pre-job briefing.

The tour aimed to lead students through the entire process of making electricity from scratch. Boilers are hung from the ceiling and stretch all 10 stories of the plant. Chunks of coal are crushed into fine powder and fed into the boilers to generate steam.

Rotating turbines on the third floor of the Powerhouse are then turned by the steam to generate electricity.

N A N T i CO k E G E N E R AT i N G S TAT i O N T O U R

BY AORAN LI, PEY SYSTEM ENGINEERING INTERN, WESTERN USED FUEL DRY STORAGE FACILITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT, TIvERTON

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Students were also fascinated to find that these complicated and interlinked processes are closely monitored and controlled by Thermal Operators in the control room.

The final stop at the top mezzanine level truly left a memorable impression. Many gazed in awe at the expansive view, realizing the importance of generating power in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner.

The tour concluded with a closing presentation from Jeff hansen, Asset Manager. hansen emphasized the impacts that phasing-out of coal

usage might bring to the energy industry and the society as a whole. he also commented on the potential conversion to natural gas as well as biomass electricity generation and the opportunities and challenges associated with it.

The tour was a great experience, especially being able to observe in person what we had learned in school. This is an exciting time to be in the energy industry to witness all the transitions to come.

ToronTo Blue Jays vs. BosTon red sox game BY BRENDAN KELLEY, NUCLEAR INTERN, ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL TRAINING, DARLINGTON AND STEPHANIE NG, HUMAN RESOURCES INTERN,TALENT MANAGEMENT, HEAD OFFICE

ON fRIDAY, JUNE 10, ThE f IRST SOCIAL EvENT Of ThE SUMMER TERM KICKED Off ITS f IRST OUTING WITh A TRIP TO ThE ROGERS CENTRE TO WATCh ThE TORONTO BLUE JAYS BATTLE ThE BOS-TON RED SOx.

STUDENTS fROM hEAD OffICE GAThERED AT ThE LOOSE MOOSE fOR PRE-GAME REfRESh-MENTS, WhILE ThE DARLINGTON AND PICKER-ING STUDENTS JOINED US AT ThE START Of ThE GAME.

A TOTAL Of 14 STUDENTS, WhICh INCLUDED A fEW NON-OPG fRIENDS, LOOKED DOWN fROM ThE 200-LEvEL AS ShAWN GREEN, fORMER BLUE JAYS RIGhT f IELDER, ThREW ThE OPENING PITCh. fOR MANY, ThIS WAS ThE f IRST T IME GETT ING TOGEThER S INCE ThE STUDENT ORIENTATION IN MAY.

ThE CROWD WAS SUPPORTIvE, ChANTING

“ JOSé, JOSé, JOSé!” WhENEvER JOSé BAU-T ISTA, POPULAR ThIRD BASEMEN AND RIGhT f IELDER, WAS UP AT BAT.

ThE STUDENTS WERE IN hIGh SPIR ITS , EvEN JOINING ThE OThER SPECTATORS TO DO “ThE WAvE”.

ALThOUGh ThE TORONTO BLUE JAYS fELL BACK EARLY, ThE GAME WAS CLOSE. DESPITE OUR BEST EffORTS ThE BOSTON RED SOx TOOK ThE GAME WITh A 5-1 WIN.



ryan brabant School: CAMBRIAN COLLEGEProgram: INDUSTRIAL MEChANICAL MILLWRIGhToPg Function: MEChANICAL MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE, P ICKERING NUCLEAR

my oPg exPerience

MY TIME AT OPG hAS BEEN ThE BEST WORK ExPERIENCE Of MY CAREER TO DATE. I WORKED AT ThE PICKERING LEARNING CENTRE (PLC) IN MEChANICAL MAINTENANCE, WhERE I WAS INvOLvED IN ThE WELDING, MAChINING, fABRICATION, R IGGING AND hOIST ING, AND DESIGNING Of vACUUM PUMPS. I ALSO TOOK S Ix CORE TRAINING COURSES fOR MEChANICAL MAINTENANCE APPRENTICES.

my advice For Future StudentS

BELIEvE IN YOURSELf; If YOU PERSEvERE AND TRY YOUR BEST YOU WILL SUCCEED. TAKE INIT IAT IvE AND MAKE YOURSELf STAND OUT fROM YOUR PEERS. If YOU ARE LOOKING fOR A GREAT LEARNING ExPERIENCE, WORK AT OPG.

liFe outSide oPg

ORIGINALLY fROM SUDBURY, I WAS A L IT TLE NERvOUS TO COME AND L IvE IN OShAWA. hOWEvER I ’vE ADJUSTED WELL TO ThE NEW ENvIRONMENT AND ENJOY ThE AREA. IN MY DOWNTIME I ENJOY hANGING OUT WITh MY fRIENDS AND PLAYING PAINTBALL .


the summer of 2011 marked the beginning of a thriving student-run initiative. over a span of two weeks in July, students, employees, families and friends alike gathered efforts to collect books for elementary, middle school and high school students in remote aboriginal communities.

Previous efforts for book collection were highly successful, most notably in 2007 when co-op students and interns managed to place over 5,000 books in the hands of aboriginal youth.

leaders quickly emerged from dar-lington, Pickering and Head office as students spearheaded their respec-tive “mini-drive” with the common goal of gifting high-quality used and new books to deserving youth across ontario. as the books poured in and the boxes piled higher and higher, one could clearly see the goodwill exuded by each employee and the desire to help give the gift of literacy to aboriginal youth.

thanks to the generous and dedicated efforts of oPG staff, over 1000 books were collected.

the majority of books were dis-tributed to aboriginal communities in lambton, nanticoke, northeast Plant Group, northwest Plant Group, ottawa and Kinkardine. Goodwill will also receive donations.

BY RUPINDER BASSI , MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINEE, INTERNAL AUDIT, HEAD OFFICE

Student charity book drivefor youTh in aBoriginal communiTies


for youTh in aBoriginal communiTies

School: UNIvERSITY Of ONTARIO INST ITUTE Of TEChNOLOGY (UOIT)

Program: MEChATRONICS

oPg Function: INSPECTION MAINTENANCE SERvICES, NUCLEAR INTERN, P ICKERING

my oPg exPerience

I truly enjoyed my internship at fuel Channels, Inspection Maintenance Services (IMS). from day one, my manager and mentor consistently provided me with opportunities to gain professional engineering experience.

My projects allowed me to work at my desk, in the laboratory, and in the station. I created maintenance procedures, test reports, and technical specifications for non-destructive examination tooling used to inspect the nuclear reactor.

I performed machine design calculations on inspection tooling components, as well as assisted in a design project, creating a 3-dimensional design and prototype model using the 3D rapid prototyping machine.

I also developed an excel program using visual Basic, to increase the SLAR on-channel inspection time efficiency.

In addition, I assisted the (SLAR) team in P1151 SLAR inspection campaign, and obtained an excellent opportunity to go on shift with engineers and technicians during the campaign.

During my internship I was able to learn about various processes systems and improve my organizational and communication skills.

In addition to working alongside renowned scientists, I had the opportunity to participate in other fun activities such as the hydro fun Run, bowling, and picnics, where I learned more about other student’s and my colleagues, while building long lasting friendships.

Overall, my internship experience was fulfilling, full of fun, and meaningful projects! I felt lucky to be a part of the IMS team, working alongside knowledgeable scientists and technicians.


Take initiative; get involved with a variety of projects and gain as much knowledge possible by asking questions.

Apply a questioning attitude – this gives you a real feel of what kind of work your department is responsible for and helps you understand how you can improve or contribute to it.

Be sure to take some time out to join OPG nuclear seminars, PEO’s chapter meetings, OPG Co-hort meetings and other social clubs and activities such as OPG Dragonboat Club and hydro fun Run.

Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy your time with your colleagues outside of OPG work life, as you get to learn more about your colleagues

in informal settings and are able to build long-lasting friendships.

liFe outSide oF oPg

I spent some quality time with my family and friends. for the past term, I enjoyed my time with my colleagues by joining them for several runs on weekends, trying out new restaurants in Pickering, and also playing cricket!

aditya PraShar


School: UNIvERSITY Of WATERLOO

oPg Function: PERfORMANCE ENGINEERING/ PLANT DESIGN CO-OP STUDENT, P ICKERING NUCLEAR

my oPg exPerience

In my second co-op term at OPG, I was exposed to various internal programs, such as Engineering Work Management System (EWMS), Pass-Port, Integrated Equipment Data Sys-tem (IEDS), eSOMs, and Preventive Maintenance Living program (PLMP).

Using these programs, I prepared a holds report of backlog work or-ders for the standby generators. I reviewed preventive maintenance identifications for the service water system.

I had the opportunity to help out system engineers with Safety Related System Tests (SRSTs) and trend data.

Working with Modification Team Leaders familiarized me with the risk based modification process. Com-pleting extra Computer Based Train-ing (CBTs) courses and routine walk downs in the plant provided me with a solid foundation of CANDU and its systems.

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JESSiCA CANNELLA

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Be open minded and accepting of all opportunities and learning experiences. Tackle all assignments with a positive attitude, always putting forth your best effort.

Ask questions! Completing extra CBTs during your down time will help you expand your skill set.

And if you want to make your experience truly memorable, attend all student events and make an effort to get to know the people around you.

School: QUEEN’S UNIvERSITY

Program: MEChANICAL ENGINEERING

oPg Function: PLANT DESIGN/MINOR MODIf ICATIONS SUMMER DEvELOPMENTAL STUDENT, P ICKERING NUCLEAR

my oPg exPerience

In Plant Design/Minor Modifications, I had the opportunity to work with Modification Team Leaders and get exposed to the risk based modifica-tion process.

I was directly involved in supporting the modification process at design and installation stages, and prepared available for service declarations.

I got hands on experience prepar-ing deliverables such as visio Logics, scope of work documents and Opera-tions and Maintenance procedures.

I also had the opportunity to support Performance Engineering, observing different systems firsthand in the station and subsequently learning about CANDU reactors, nuclear en-ergy generation, and nuclear safety. based modification process.

advice For Future StudentS

There are countless learning op-portunities at OPG. You can make the most of your term by doing more than what’s expected of you and utilizing the resources at your fingertips!

Go on as many walkdowns in the station as you can. Ask questions.

Taking additional Computer Based Training (CBTs) courses, such as Intro to CANDU, can teach you more about the systems and work going on around you.

Most importantly, never close yourself off from an opportunity to meet other students or employees, because the network you build at OPG will enhance your experience and help you build contacts for the future.

JeSSica cannella

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School: MCMASTER UNIvERSITY

Program: ChEMICAL AND BIOENGINEERING

oPg Function: NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT CO-OP STUDENT, hEAD Off ICE

my oPg exPerience

for my second co-op term at OPG I worked with Conceptual Design and System Planning, Nuclear Waste Management Division, overseeing the long term outlook of nuclear waste.

My major responsibilities related to system planning, particularly regard-ing waste management facilities and updating requirements for manag-ing nuclear waste. I was also able to take part in site visits, various meet-ings, and was encouraged to learn more about other departments and functions I was interested in.

Although my involvement in a project with far-reaching effects was initially daunting, I came out with a greater understanding of inter-departmental relations at OPG.

I am confident that the skills and knowledge I obtained about the corporate workplace, and energy industry in general, will serve me in good stead in the future.

I am also sure that the friendships I have made here will last far beyond this co-op experience.

advice For Future StudentS

Be proactive and take initiative for any projects you find interesting or would like to learn about.

Plan to attend as many student events as you can. Make the most of your work term at OPG by maximizing your learning experience and expanding your professional network, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

liFe outSide oPg

During these four summer months that always seem to breeze by, I managed to play and watch soccer, go camping and hiking, and visit Chicago; “the windy city.”

I also spent a considerable amount of time exploring downtown Toronto, trying some of the many restaurants near head Office.

School: UNIvERSITY Of WATERLOO

Program: MATh – f INANCIAL ANALYSIS/RISK MANAGEMENT

oPg Function: ENERGY MARKETS SUPPORT CO-OP STUDENT, hEAD Off ICE

my oPg exPerience

Over the past four months I have learned many valuable lessons and developed some useful job skills.

My daily tasks involved generating a variety of after-the-fact reports to support other functions of Energy Markets.

Through compiling these reports, I was able to learn a great deal about the electricity market OPG’s role within it.

I also worked on the continuation of the gas deeming model; a tool for analyzing the behaviour of gas generators in relation to certain contracts. This allowed me to

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improve my programming skills in visual Basic for Applications (vBA) and MS Access.

advice to Future StudentS

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or feedback. These kinds of questions can help decipher your strengths and determine your areas for im-provement.

liFe outSide oPg

Living in downtown Toronto was a great experience. My free time was spent exploring the city, hanging out with friends, going to the gym, and polishing my cooking skills.

School: MCMASTER UNIvERSITY

Program: MBA ACCOUNTING SPECIAL IZAT ION

oPg Function: MANAGEMENT AND PROfESSIONAL TRAINEE, INTERNAL AUDIT, hEAD Off ICE

my oPg exPerience

In Internal Audit I had the opportunity to interact with multiple managers, observing four different management styles and learning something positive from each.

When it came to planning and performing major audits, I was impressed by the sheer depth of knowledge my teammates brought to the table.

I hope to one day exude the same level of confidence, expertise and devotion to my work as championed by my colleagues.

advice to Future StudentS

Remember: the professional and per-sonal experiences of your colleagues can significantly influence and direct your own career in a very positive way.

You can learn a great deal from talk-ing with your colleagues about the industry, as well as the culture and practices at OPG.

Use this experience to shape your goals and better define where you want to be in the future.

It is invaluable - especially given the great collection of dedicated and knowledgeable people who work here.

liFe outSide oPg

I enjoyed being in the downtown core. In my free time, I took the op-portunity to go for walks and check out the businesses around me.

Toronto is a culturally rich city with a lot to offer. I also took advantage of the gym, conveniently located down-stairs from my workspace.

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OntariO Student enerGy FOrum

BY RAHEEL NAqvI, TECH SUPPORT INTERN, NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT DIvISION, TIvERTON

on July 21 and 28, nine interns and co-op students represented oPG at the Fourth annual ontario student Energy Forum (osEF) in toronto.

this event was organized by Human resources and Engineering interns and co-op students from the ontario Energy board (oEb), Hydro one, inde-pendent Electricity system operator (iEso) and ontario Power authority (oPa), and oPG.

the first day or Conference day took place at the headquarters of the oEb on thursday, July 21. in a window-paned room surrounded by a breath-taking view of the city, approximately 90 students gathered for a fun-filled ice breaker. a series of presentations featuring representatives from each company involved in the confer-ence followed, giving insight on new initiatives, upcoming priorities, and challenges in the industry. We were then greeted by the renew-able Energy Generation Panel, who gave valuable knowledge on renew-able energy and answered several questions.

students were able to attend a special topic presentation of their choice, which included one on big becky by oPGs stephanie Gordon, Project support manager of the ni-agara tunnel Project.

after lunch, there was a unique workshop structured to exercise teamwork and problem solving skills.

the day’s program ended with a ses-sion featuring the new Grad Panel; four graduates from various agencies spoke about their careers in the en-ergy sector. they answered questions with insight and great enthusiasm. students wrapped up the day by retreating to the Keg for an informal post-conference reception.

the second day or tour day was held on thursday, July 28 at the iEso headquarters in mississauga. iEso gave an informative presentation about the smart Grid and introduced us to a large control room showcas-ing the entire power grid of our city and its surrounding areas.

Kim Warren, Chief operating officer highlighted the colourful sectors that outlined over the grid. students learned the importance and feasibil-ity of how each and every section on the grid works in coordination with only six operators at any given time.

Following this, students were taken for a tour of the sir adam beck Gen-erating stations in niagara Falls.

staff gave an in-depth presentation on the history, current standing, and future developments of the plant.

as we toured the entire facility, we learned how hydro-electric gener-ating power plants operated and contributed to our power grid.

osEF was a great learning experience for all members involved.

One important take away from the event is the knowledge of how inter-connected OeB, Hydro One, ieSO, OPa, and OPG are and how hard we all work to “keep the lights on.”

FOURTH ANNUAL

LEfT:DAY ONE AT ThE OEB

TOP:DAY TWO AT SIR ADAM BECK

WOrK term PreSentatiOnS and FinaL FareWeLL

HEAD OFFiCE

PiCkERiNG


On August 15, interns and co-op stu-dents nearing the end of their work term were invited to 777 Brock Road, Pickering to describe aspects of their work and the projects and activities they were involved.

In brief three to five minute presen-tations, students summarized their

On Wednesday, August 17, an end of term gathering was held at head Office where students from all kinds of work groups spoke about their experiences at OPG.

Despite the variances in job function, all participants shared the sentiment that their time at OPG was an invalu-able learning opportunity. Whether fixing bearings or programming databases, each person was able to contribute to projects providing great benefit to the organization.

following the presentations a group photo was taken and everyone bid their final farewells.

Jason Brown, a student stationed in Nanticoke, spoke very accurately for all of the students when he extended a sincere thank you to the employ-ees who helped shape and support such incredible work experiences.

BY BEN GOODMAN, MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OvERSIGHT CO-OP STUDENT, DARLINGTON NEW NUCLEAR PROjECTS

BY NAUMAN GILL , REACTOR SAFETY ENGINEERING INTERN, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT, P ICKERING NUCLEAR

educational background, their department’s role, and the contribu-tions they made.

A question and answer session followed each presentation, often leading to a collaborative learning experience between audience and the presenter.

At lunch time, students were pro-vided with a hot meal and enjoyed one another’s company before the presentations resumed.

All 25 student presentations helped students better understand the dynamics of how the OPG runs its plants. This event was a great suc-cess; hearing about student projects and activities in various departments and locations was both helpful and informative.

The event was a great opportunity for students to practice their presen-tation skills, and each participant was given a complimentary OPG t-shirt for their efforts.

It also allowed students to come together, understand, communicate, and participate as they said their final farewells.

On behalf of the attendees, I’d like to extend a special thank you to Talent Management for organizing the event and the students for participating.

LEfT:f INAL fAREWELL AThEAD Off ICE

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OPG Unplugged

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