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Power Generation

FACILITY SOLUTIONS

Case Study

Constellation Energy

Supporting nuclear power operations through outage season and beyond

• Constellation Energy Corporation is an American energy company headquartered inBaltimore, Maryland.
• United States' leading nuclear power plant operator
• 19,000 megawatts of power generation capacity
• Also provides electric power, natural gas, and energy management services
• Over 2 million customers across the U.S.
• ABM client since 2004, servicing 4.5million sq. ft. at 7 nuclear sites

Constellation Energy Corporation operates an extensive nuclear network that requires meticulous maintenance and support during both scheduled refueling outages and regular operations. With planned outages every spring and fall, Constellation must ensure that its nuclear plants are well-prepared and staffed to handle these critical periods efficiently and safely. This is where ABM steps in, offering the flexibility and expertise required to meet Constellation's needs year-round.

CHALLENGE

Planned nuclear generation outages are usually scheduled to coincide with reactor refueling cycles. During a refueling outage, plants typically optimize downtime by scheduling facility upgrades, repairs, and other maintenance work while the reactor is offline. Staffing can be a significant challenge due to the considerable need for extra workers during outages and the regulations new hires are subject to. Accessing talent with the necessary nuclear badges and qualifications adds another layer of complexity.

Drug screening is also a challenge because nuclear sites adhere to federal, not state laws. Anti-terrorism training and routine background checks must be performed constantly. Managing radiation levels and ensuring safety is paramount. In a worst-case scenario, a badly managed, poorly-staffed outage can delay project schedules and incur cost overruns.

SOLUTION

To support Constellation Energy during these critical outage periods, ABM provided comprehensive solutions that included administrative support for documenting completed tasks, pre-outage planning of job load boards, and cleaning of floors and hard surfaces within the reactor building. ABM also offered maintenance support by assigning various tasks during the outage and assisting in the onboarding and training of seasonal outage employees. Safety was a chief concern, with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspecting everything ABM did to ensure compliance with stringent safety standards.

During shutdowns (when the sites could not produce power), ABM performed extra work requiring additional staffing, providing 400+employees on a regular basis and scaling up to 800+ during outage seasons, which last as few as 21 to as many as 65 days. Our team regularly checked radiation levels using thermos-luminescent dosimeters and provided 24/7/365 cleaning, Foreign Material Exclusion (FME), decontamination (DECON), fire watch, grounds, hatch watch, and light utility services at these nuclear sites.

BENEFITS

ABM's streamlined administrative and project planning support reduced downtime and optimized outage schedules, ensuring that Constellation's nuclear plants operated efficiently. Adherence to strict NRC guidelines guaranteed the highest safety standards were met, providing peace of mind to all stakeholders. ABM's ability to scale staffing from 400+ employees to 800+ during outage seasons demonstrated remarkable flexibility, meeting the fluctuating demands of the nuclear industry. Specialized cleaning and maintenance tasks were expertly handled by ABM’s experienced professionals, ensuring thorough and effective operations. Continuous monitoring and support from ABM ensured uninterrupted operations during both regular and critical periods, helping solidify Constellation's reputation for reliability and safety in the energy sector.

CONCLUSION

Constellation Energy Corporation has successfully navigated 20+ nuclear outage seasons with the support of ABM. By providing comprehensive administrative, planning, maintenance, and safety services, ABM helped Constellation maintain its high standards of efficiency and safety.

ABM helped Constellation Energy achieve seamless outage operations, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Find out how we can make it possible for you by calling 866.624.1520 or visiting ABM.com.