Summary

As a Mechanical Design Engineer Intern at Constellation Energy's Clinton Clean Energy Center, I play a crucial role in safeguarding the station's infrastructure against potential flood damage. During the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters, I am focused on researching flood seal damage prevention and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

This case study highlights my involvement in creating and executing a flood seal inspection report that will inform the station's maintenance and engineering practices. By ensuring the safe and efficient operation of its raw water piping systems, my work contributes to securing the station's role in Illinois’ clean energy future for the next two decades.

Situation

The Clinton Clean Energy Center – a key facility in Illinois' clean energy portfolio, faces challenges related to the integrity of flood seals in its raw water piping systems. Given the station's critical role in providing carbon-free electricity, it is essential to ensure that these seals meet all regulatory standards and can effectively prevent flood damage.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer Intern, I am responsible for writing a comprehensive technical report that will guide maintenance and engineering efforts, ensuring continued safety and operational efficiency.

Task

My primary responsibility is to develop a report outlining the standards for inspecting non-safety-related flood seals. This report is crucial for ensuring that the flood seals are up to code and perform effectively during potential flood events.

Action

To address these responsibilities, I am taking the following steps:

• Data Collection and Review: I began by gathering relevant industry standards and reviewing past inspection reports on flood seals. This research provided the foundation for the report I am tasked with writing.
• Mechanical Analysis Reviews: I am reviewing detailed mechanical analyses of the flood seals, considering factors such as material durability, potential flood scenarios, and historical performance data. This review is a critical element of the report in determining the flood seals' current state and their ability to prevent damage during flooding.
• Report Writing: Leveraging the data and analysis, I am authoring a comprehensive report that outlines the inspection standards for non-safety-related flood seals. The report details the specific codes and guidelines that must be followed internally to ensure the seals' effectiveness and longevity.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: This report will assist the maintenance and engineering teams in ensuring the integrity of the flood seals. I will regularly update them on the report's progress and incorporate their feedback to ensure it meets all operational needs.

Result

The report I develop will be instrumental in the station's ongoing maintenance and engineering efforts, providing a clear set of standards for inspecting and maintaining flood seals. This work will help ensure that the station's raw water piping systems continue to operate safely and efficiently, securing the facility's role in Illinois' clean energy future for the next two decades.

Project Skills

This internship will further refine my mechanical engineering skills and deepen my understanding of the importance of infrastructure resilience in the energy sector.

Technical Skills

• Flood Seal Standards Research and Compliance Communication: Ensure that maintenance and engineering teams have the necessary technical information to make certain flood seals meet all relevant industry standards.
• Mechanical Analysis Review: Analyze mechanical analyses conducted to assess the durability and effectiveness of flood seals to include in the comprehensive report.
• Technical Report Writing: Authoring a detailed technical report for internal maintenance and engineering purposes.

Professional Skills

• Project Management: Manage the development of the flood seal inspection report, ensuring timely and accurate completion.
• Technical Communication: Regularly communicate findings and progress to the maintenance and engineering teams.
• Attention to Detail: Ensure precision in the written report.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to integrate report findings into broader maintenance strategies.

This experience will sharpen my technical expertise and reinforce the critical role that infrastructure plays in maintaining the safety and efficiency of clean energy facilities. I am proud to be contributing to a project that supports the continued operation of a critical clean energy station in Illinois.