Framatome and Bruce Power have signed a contract for digital instrumentation and control (I&C) system upgrades at Bruce Units 5, 7 and 8 in Ontario, Canada. This contract builds on successful digital system upgrade projects implemented at Units 1, 2 and 6, and that are currently in progress at Units 3 and 4. These digital system upgrades are part of the larger Bruce Power major component replacement (MCR) program underway to extend the life of their nuclear fleet and continue delivering clean energy to Ontario for decades to come.
“Framatome is excited to continue the successful implementations of digital system upgrades to support Bruce Power’s MCR program and their investment in the future of clean energy for Ontario,” said Frédéric Lelièvre, Senior Executive Vice President, Sales, Regional Platforms and Instrumentation and Control Business Unit at Framatome. “Our local experts in Kincardine, Pickering, and Montreal have deep roots in Canada and will continue to provide the best solutions and expertise to support the Bruce fleet now and well into the future.”
As part of this contract, Framatome will provide an enhanced digital upgrade to the existing analog primary heat transport, feed bleed and relief system. The upgraded system will provide stable reactor pressure control during normal steady state and transient conditions.
For this important system, Bruce selected Framatome to provide the proven commercial Tricon programmable logic controller (PLC) technology. This platform has more than a billion hours of operation without failure on demand providing enhanced safety and high plant availability.
“Bruce Power is pleased to continue its strong partnership with Framatome and the upgrades to our digital systems will allow our units to continue to provide clean and reliable energy to the people of Ontario for decades to come,” said David Furr, Bruce Power’s Vice-President, Supply Chain.
As plants undergo license renewals to extend their lifetime, the I&C systems are among those that plant owners will be upgrading to operate an additional 20-30 years. The I&C system is part of the plant’s central nervous system. It provides operators with critical information on plant operation, allows them to control various plant safety systems during routine operations, and automatically protects the reactor if needed.
Bruce Power is Canada’s only private sector nuclear generator, annually producing 30 percent of Ontario’s power. The company operates eight CANDU pressurized heavy water reactors at their site on the eastern shore of Lake Huron near Tiverton, Ontario.