Data centers are a rapidly expanding sector of mission-critical applications, where uninterrupted power is both a huge challenge and entirely non-negotiable. They are relied upon across all industries for cloud computing, AI workloads, financial platforms, healthcare systems, e-commerce and so much more. Even brief power interruptions can cause major issues from business downtime to data corruption to long-term […]
Can Data Centers be More Sustainable?
Data centers are often criticized for their massive energy consumption, but in Finland they are doing some really interesting things to reduce that perception. Rather than letting the heat generated by data center servers dissipate into the atmosphere, facilities are capturing the waste heat and feeding it into local district heating systems. In Mäntsälä, for example, the excess […]
PE Saves the Day with the Right Equipment at the Right Time
A customer’s sister site recently discovered the power of being prepared with the right equipment at the right time… As this plant was going back online after an outage, early in the power-up phase they detected a leak in a weld. The welder needed to go back down to fix it. Usually, this fix requires several days to […]
Turning Outage Issues into Custom Equipment Success Stories
Every outage in a nuclear facility brings its own set of challenges. Whether it’s accessing hard-to-reach components, safety in high-dose areas, or time on critical path, facilities need partners who understand the stakes and can deliver effective, efficient, and compliant solutions. That’s where Preferred Engineering (PE) comes in. PE specializes in designing and manufacturing custom-engineered equipment to meet […]
The Right Shielding Solution Enhances ALARA and Operator Safety During Fuel Transfers
Effective shielding protects workers and reduces radiation exposure during fuel movement in nuclear power plants. Preferred Engineering’s Fuel Transfer Canal Shield, also known as the Cattlechute, is specifically designed to support ALARA principles by minimizing exposure while maintaining efficiency during fuel transfers. Safer Fuel Transfers As fuel bundles are transferred through the fuel slot, radiation levels can increase […]
PE’s Fuel Transfer Tube Closure System Sets a New Standard for Refuel FloorSafety
When safety is critical and efficiency runs a close second, your team needs innovativemaintenance solutions that cover all the bases. The Fuel Transfer Tube Closure System(FTTCS) from Preferred Engineering is a breakthrough in safety for your PWR refuelingoutage. This patented solution was designed with the input of site RP and ALARA teamsresulting in a system that not only […]
Supporting Safe and Efficient ISI Inspections
One of the most essential tools in maintaining nuclear safety is the In-Service Inspection, or ISI, performed routinely during refueling outages. These inspections ensure that critical systems and components inside the reactor remain in safe, operable condition. They are required by regulatory bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and follow ASME standards. The goal of these […]
Strong documentation streamlines the Loop Plug installation process
During last Fall’s outage season, Preferred Engineering assisted with the installation ofa set of brand-new Hot/Cold Leg Loop Plugs. The process went smoothly thanks to anoutstanding product as well as excellent cooperation and planning with our customer todevelop and document a streamlined approach. While loop plugs may not require frequent installation, their role in nozzle isolation forPressurized Water […]
Custom Auxiliary Bridges Just Make Sense
Power stations have a variety of refueling and maintenance functions and the space available to accomplish them varies widely across facilities. That’s why custom solutions are the only way to go when designing auxiliary bridges that enable those refueling and maintenance tasks to happen. Custom-engineered bridge solutions not only consider the dimensions of your facility but also the […]
Preparing for Upcoming Outage Season
As we head into the Fall 2025 Outage Season, we’re pleased to share with you our Outage Season Lessons Learned and Best Practices. This is an in-depth document capturing the key lessons, best practices, and engineering insights gained during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 outage seasons. This report underscores Preferred Engineering’s commitment to supporting your team in […]