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Insights > ’24 in retrospect
’24 in retrospect
12/19/2024
Amid the glad tidings this season brings, with the sound of bells ringing, children singing and wallets emptying, the most familiar sound of all is heard among dubious adults: I can't believe it's already December! What happened to this year?
And yet, the season also gives us time to pause, to reflect on 12 months of achievements and challenges, and to plan for fresh beginnings in the spanking-new year.
As we reminisce about the highlights of ’24, it’s only fitting that we spotlight some of the best and brightest moments for Entergy’s nuclear fleet.
Let’s flip some calendar pages and name a few....
In March, Entergy Nuclear engineered some exciting changes in Port Gibson, Miss.! An all-woman group of managers led Grand Gulf Nuclear Station’s engineering team—an important first! Valerie Myers is plant support manager, Tori Robinson led the design projects team and Grace Settoon managed strategic and systems engineering. Since then, in recognition of their excellent work, Robinson accepted a position as design projects manager at the corporate office in Jackson, and Settoon was selected by site leadership to serve as a consultant at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, headquartered in Atlanta.
In April, two-thirds of Arkansas fell inside the path of totality during the historic total eclipse, causing a very brief reduction in output at the solar energy stations. Yet, due to Entergy’s diverse energy portfolio—roughly 56% of Entergy Arkansas’ energy production comes from nuclear—Entergy still kept the lights shining bright for its customers!
In June, Entergy Nuclear announced its partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to implement a generation risk-assessment model that promises some powerful benefits! The project could increase efficiencies, lower operational costs, prevent generation losses due to equipment failures and improve the predictability of plant operations. If proved successful, Entergy will employ the model at one of its stations and potentially expand to others.
In September, while the winds of Hurricane Francine howled, thanks to the diligent preparation, strong teamwork and safety-first mindset of Entergy’s nuclear professionals, their plants stayed on the grid, producing round-the-clock power for its customers. Entergy’s communities are grateful for the strength and resilience not only of nuclear power—but also of the entire team at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, Ark.; Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Miss.; River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., and Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station in Killona, La.
Later in September, Entergy joined Kairos Power's Operations, Manufacturing, and Development Alliance, a consortium of leading North American utilities that advise on the development and commercialization of Kairos Power's fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR) technology. Entergy’s Chief Nuclear Officer Kimberly Cook-Nelson said of the alliance, “We believe advanced nuclear technologies will play an important role in decarbonizing the U.S. energy system, and we’re pleased to be in a position to help nurture the development of new resources like KP-FHR.”
In October, Cook-Nelson was named among the 2024 Woman Worth Watching in the Profiles in Diversity Journal® magazine, which recognizes influential women who are using their talents to improve their workplace and our world. In its third-quarter issue, the journal featured Cook-Nelson's reflections of her 28 years in the nuclear industry and her advice to never shy away from a challenge, shun the phrase “you can’t” and always remember: It’s about the people.
Also in October, The Entergy Charitable Foundation awarded a $2M grant to Jackson State University to help the HBCU establish a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab. As an expansion of the university’s cybersecurity education curriculum, the lab will serve a twofold purpose: to offer students the necessary skills and resources to learn about the industry and to help grow a workforce to meet the needs of nuclear, electric and natural gas companies. Entergy and JSU have partnered before to create the Entergy Power Systems Lab, another program in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Later that month, Entergy’s nuclear fleet celebrated international Nuclear Science Week! The company is proud that its five reactors in four locations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi can cleanly power small towns, big cities and everywhere in between. By harnessing 100% clean nuclear power, Entergy is helping to meet the growing demands of the nation's carbon-free energy needs.
In December, Entergy Nuclear topped off the year with the 50th birthday of Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1! Now, the two nuclear units at ANO generate not only a steady stream of clean, carbon-free energy but also significant positive impact in the River Valley. The station employs more than 1,000 full-time nuclear professionals who care deeply about their community. And just for good measure, let’s celebrate the contributions made by Entergy’s entire nuclear fleet! In 2024, all four nuclear stations—Arkansas Nuclear One, Grand Gulf, River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La. and Waterford 3 Steam Electric Station in Killona, La. — together with Entergy Nuclear headquarters in Jackson, Miss., awarded $155,805 in grants to benefit their surrounding communities.
