I&C system refurbishment or replacement projects

Dukovany NPP Instrumentation and Control System Replacement

The most important contract for ŠKODA JS in this area so far has been the Replacement of the Instrumentation and Control Systems (I&C) at the Dukovany NPP, whose aim was to extend the planned lifetime of the power plant and maintain its safe, reliable and economical operation.

The project was divided into two stages, the first of which took place in 2002-2009 and involved the replacement to the I&C systems, which have a significant influence on nuclear safety. The scope of the refurbishment project included the complete replacement of the original analogue systems with modern digital ones, the addition of a new complete post-accident monitoring system, the replacement of sensors and cabling related to the replaced systems, modifications to the unit and emergency control room, and the overall connection of the modernized system with the power plant’s existing equipment. The second stage included the replacement of primary circuit control systems, the turbine and the secondary circuit, including the delivery of the superset diagnostic and information system (implemented in 2007–2017).

The installation method, the testing strategy and the commissioning of the system were entirely unique, as a similar type of replacement of such a major part of the instrumentation and control system of a nuclear power plant had never been performed at any nuclear power facility anywhere in the world. The implementation of the I&C system replacement was carried out gradually during refueling outages in all four VVER 440 units without causing any long-term interruption of the units’ operation. In the second stage, the individual modernized components of the equipment were commissioned during each outage.

The implementation of the project in 2018 concluded the complete refurbishment of the I&C systems in all production units of the Dukovany nuclear power plant.

Despite the complexity of the project and the unique nature of the entire modernization concept, the contract was completed on budget and on time, which is not always the case when it comes to large projects in the power industry. In retrospect, ŠKODA JS has proven itself in the role of general contractor, as have its main subcontractors who took part in the completion of the project.

Paks NPP Instrumentation and Control System Replacement

In 2015, ŠKODA JS won the tender for the replacement of I&C systems in all units of the Paks NPP, an interesting and extensive turnkey modernization project. The existing reactor control system, reactor rod control systems and reactor trip breakers were replaced by ŠKODA JS with modern, digital equipment. As the general contractor in charge of both Basic and Detail Design, ŠKODA JS has applied its skills to effectively manage projects in an international environment, with the supplier model including supplies by a Czech company and activities provided by Hungarian companies.

The modernization in Unit 3 of the power plant took place in 2018, with the newly installed equipment successfully commissioned. The trial operation of the commissioned units confirmed the reliability and safety of our equipment. This project was completed in 2019.

System Refurbishment at the Temelín NPP

In 2012, after winning a tender, ŠKODA JS signed a contract for the project of Non-unit I&C System Refurbishment at the Temelín NPP. The project was divided into four parts and was successfully completed in 2015.

Refurbishment of the Instrumentation and Control System at the Armenian NPP

In 2017, ŠKODA JS concluded a contract for the refurbishment of I&C systems, specifically the reactor rod control systems (RRCS) and part of the emergency protection, including the reactor trip breakers at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.

Having completed the stage of creation and handover of the design documentation, equipment production and successful tests in production, the equipment was installed and successfully commissioned at the Metsamor NPP in 2020.

In 2021, a testing stand for the reactor control cassette drives will be delivered.

This project demonstrates the ability of ŠKODA JS to manage I&C projects also outside the territory and legislation of the EU.

A Unified Technology Set

In 2019, work was finished on the project of refurbishing part of the I&C systems, the so-called unified technology set, for the Zaporozhye NPP. The contract included the supply of a software and hardware system for processing input and output signals and their transfer to other unit control systems at the NPP, and a software and hardware automated VVER 1000 reactor actuator control system.

Interesting numbers