Framatome inks contract with CEZ to modernize instrumentation and control systems

Framatome inks contract with CEZ to modernize instrumentation and control systems
by Staff Writers
Dukovany, Czech Republic (SPX) Feb 15, 2023
Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant (Image: CEZ) Framatome announced has signed a contract with CEZ to modernize the existing instrumentation and control (I&C) Spinline testers for safety systems installed on four VVER type reactors at Dukovany Nuclear Power Station, located in Czech Republic.

"We commend CEZ for its high standards of safety and vigilance in fortifying the long-term operations of one of its largest, most reliable and economically advantageous energy sources," said Frederic Lelievre, senior executive vice president, Sales, Regional Platforms and the I&C Business Unit at Framatome. "Our teams will deliver this project with the level of commitment to safety and operational excellence that is the foundation of our strong and long lasting relation with CEZ."

Framatome's engineering specialists will redesign, manufacture, validate and install the new Spinline testers. The first installation is planned mid-2024 during the Dukovany-2 planned outage. This project is the first step in the comprehensive modernization of the existing Spinline safety I&C platform that will allow CEZ to operate Framatome systems until 2045.

"The final objective of the Spinline testers renovation and subsequent modernization activities is to ensure safe and reliable I&C systems operations," said Bohdan Zronek, chief nuclear officer of CEZ, a.s., and member of the board of directors. "This contract is built on more than 10 years of successful cooperation between CEZ and Framatome on Spinline support and services."

Spinline is a modular digital solution for safety I&C systems installed in many different types of nuclear reactors around the world. It is specifically designed to implement the safety functions that are critical for the performance and reliability of nuclear power plants, such as the reactor protection system, reactor trip system, engineered safety features actuation system and the neutron instrumentation system.

Dukovany nuclear power plant supplies approximately 14 TWh of electric energy annually to the national power network. The plant is owned and operated by CEZ Group. The power plant modernization will successively be carried out to the end of its planned service life.