Joseph C McGowan PhD PE

This talk is intended to provide a review of the status of nuclear power generation in the USA at the present time, with historical context and discussion of the engineering issues that have steered the course of the industry. The talk will include an overview of plant design and the implementation of competing designs in the civilian and military nuclear segments. The advantages and limitations of energy provided by nuclear will be discussed, and this will include an overview of accidents that have impacted the industry.

Biography:

Dr. McGowan is a Senior Member of IEEE. His background includes service in the United States Navy Nuclear Power Program as a Submarine officer and as a Division Director at the Navy Nuclear Power School. He was a Senior Engineer for the General Electric Company and served on the startup and test team for three commercial nuclear power plants after leading the General Electric Senior Reactor Operator training program. He holds the PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, a M.S. also from Penn, and a B.S. Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy. Presently Dr. McGowan is President of the engineering consulting firm, McGowan Associates Inc.