Framatome has secured a new contract from Kernkraftwerk Gösgen-Däniken AG (KKG) to upgrade the reactor protection system (RPS) in the emergency control building at the Gösgen nuclear power plant in Switzerland.
Reactor Protection System Explained
An RPS is a critical set of nuclear safety components designed to safely shut down a reactor and prevent the release of radioactive materials. It can be activated either manually or automatically, triggered when parameters reach or exceed pre-set limits.
Under the new contract, the RPS in Gösgen’s emergency control building, which is separate from the main control room and designed for safe shutdown in case of accidents, will be modernized using Framatome’s TELEPERM XS digital instrumentation and control (I&C) platform.
Long-Term Collaboration and Modernization
Since 2002, KKG has partnered with Framatome to modernize its I&C systems incrementally, transitioning from analog to the latest digital technologies while enhancing performance and safety.
In April 2019, Framatome was previously awarded a contract to modernize Gösgen’s entire RPS, using the TELEPERM XS platform with a hardwired backup system.
The installation was completed during a planned outage in 2022. Before that, Framatome successfully modernized the plant’s four emergency diesel generators and the reactor control and limitation systems in 2014.
Continued Trust in Framatome’s Expertise
Frédéric Lelièvre, senior executive vice president of Framatome’s Sales, Regional Platforms, and I&C Business Unit, expressed satisfaction with the continued partnership, saying, “This new contract again illustrates the trust our customer has in our ability to modernize from analog to digital technologies, while continuing to meet the highest standards of safety.”
Framatome highlighted the widespread adoption of its TELEPERM XS platform, which has been installed or is in the process of being installed in 92 reactors across 17 countries.
Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant
Gösgen is a 1010 MWe pressurized water reactor that commenced commercial operation in November 1979. KKG operates the plant on behalf of its five owners: Alpiq AG (40%), Axpo Power AG (25%), the City of Zurich (15%), Centralschweizerische Kraftwerke AG (12.5%), and Energie Wasser Bern (7.5%). The plant generates approximately 13% of Switzerland’s electricity needs.