Instrumentation & Control Technologies and Continuous Process Optimization

Nuclear power plants (NPPs) rely on instrumentation and control (I&C) systems extensively for performing protection, control, monitoring and display functions. I&C systems are installed throughout the plant and are vital parts of both normal and emergency operations. Although analog I&C and measurement systems provided the above functions satisfactorily in the past, NPPs are facing challenges in several I&C areas with ageing and obsolete components and equipment. With license renewals and power uprates, the long-term operation and maintenance of obsolete I&C systems may not be a cost-effective and reliable option. The effort needed to maintain or increase the reliability and useful life of existing I&C systems may be greater in the long run than that of modernizing I&C systems or replacing them completely with new digital systems. The increased functionality of the new I&C systems can also open up new possibilities to better support the operation and maintenance activities in the plant.

Modernization projects of I&C systems are part of a wider concept of continuous process improvement. To achieve and maintain superior operating performance is a continuing long term challenge to the management of nuclear power plant operations. The concept of continuous process improvement has proven to be a major contributor to increased efficiency and competitiveness. There have been remarkable improvements in the operating performance of many NPPs within the last several years due to an increased focus on enhanced management and engineering tools.

Upcoming Events

IAEA Workshop on Neutron Fluctuations, Reactor Noise, and Their Applications in Nuclear Reactors, hosted by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, on 22-26 September 2008, Information Sheet, Participation Form and Tentative Agenda (New extended deadline: 1 July 2008).
The 1st Workshop on “Applications of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays in Nuclear Power Plants” will be hosted by Electricite de France in Chatou, France, on 8-10 October 2008. The workshop will introduce the FPGA technology and its applications in various industries. Emphasis will be given to the following topics: applications in safety systems of NPPs, licensing, available products, and lessons learned in I&C modernization projects using FPGA technology, Participation Form.
The Technical Meeting titled “In-Service Inspection (ISI) Qualification of Nuclear Power Plants; 3rd International Workshop of In-Service Inspection Qualification Bodies” will be held in Vienna, Austria on 15-16 October 2008, and is organized jointly by the International Atomic Energy Agency and European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), Institute for Energy (IE), Petten, Netherlands. The objective of the Qualification Bodies’ meeting is to revisit the field of inspection qualification, inspection validation, performance demonstration, and to exchange information on lessons learned in ISI applications and qualification in nuclear power plants. Information Sheets and Participation Form.
The Technical Meeting titled "Impact of Digital I&C on the Operation and Licensing of Nuclear Power Plants" will be held in Beijing on 3-6 November 2008. The meeting will be hosted by the China Nuclear Power Engineering Company Ltd. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the benefits and challenges of using digital technologies in the instrumentation, control, and information systems of nuclear power plants and to further develop a technical document on the topic. A two-day technical visit to the Tianwan NPP is planned after the meeting Information Sheets and Participation Form.

Recent Events

First Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) of the Coordinated Research Programme (CRP) on "Advanced Surveillance, Diagnostics, and Prognostics Techniques Used for Health Monitoring of Systems, Structures, and Components in Nuclear Power Plants",27-30 May 2008, Vienna, Austria Description of CRP Scope, Form of Proposal for Research Agreement, Tentative Agenda.
Technical Meeting on "Lessons Learned in Large Modernization Projects in NPP I&C Systems", 6-9 May 2008, Vienna, Austria, Terms of Reference, Final Agenda, Book of Abstracts.
IAEA Regional Workshop on "Modernization Projects of NPP Instrumentation and Control Systems Related to Power Uprates and Licence Renewals Project (RER/4/027)", Portoroz, Slovenia, 14-18 April 2008. Workshop CD Working Material. (NEW)
Technical Meeting on "Implementing and Licensing Digital I&C Systems and Equipment in NPPs, 26-30 November 2007, Vienna, Austria. Draft TECDOC-1, Draft TECDOC-2.
Technical Meeting on “Integration of Analog and Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems in Hybrid Main Control Rooms at Nuclear Power Plants”, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 29 October - 2 November 2007, hosted by Atomic Energy Canada Limited (AECL). Agenda , Book of Abstracts , List of Participants , Draft TECDOC .
Technical Meeting on “Common-Cause Failures in Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems of Nuclear Power Plants”, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, 19-21 June 2007, hosted by the US NRC, DOE, EPRI, and NEI. Meeting CD Working Material.
Technical Meeting on "Increasing Power Output and Performance of Nuclear Power Plants by Improved Instrumentation and Control Systems", Prague, Czech Republic, 29-31 May 2007, hosted by I&C Energo. Meeting CD Working Material.
The 21st Meeting of the IAEA Technical Working Group on Nuclear Power Plant Control and Instrumentation (TWG-NPPCI), Vienna, Austria, 23-25 May 2007. Meeting CD Working Material.
Technical Meeting on "Cyber Security of Nuclear Power Plant Instrumentation, Control and Information Systems", Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA, 17-20 October 2006, hosted by the Idaho National Laboratory. Meeting CD Working Material.
Joint IAEA–EPRI Workshop on "Modernization of Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants", Vienna, Austria, 3-6 October 2006. Workshop CD Working Material.

Documents under Development

Nuclear Energy Series Report on “On-line Monitoring for Improving Performance of Nuclear Power Plants; Part 1: Instrument Channel Monitoring” (Completed)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “On-line Monitoring for Improving Performance of Nuclear Power Plants; Part 2: Process and Component Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics” (Completed)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “The Role of I&C Systems in Power Up-Rating Projects in Nuclear Power Plants” (Completed)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “Implementing Digital I&C Systems” - Part I: Planning and EXecution of Modernization Projects
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “Protecting Against Common-Cause Failures in Digital I&C Systems of NPPs” (Completed)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “Integration of Analog and Digital I&C Systems in Hybrid Main Control Rooms in NPPs” (Draft)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on “Testing the Dynamic Response and Effectiveness of Reactor Protection Systems and Their Instrumentation” (Draft)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on "Generic I&C issues relevant to systems important to safety in NPPs - a reference report on core knowledge of I&C systems and functions" (Initiated)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on "Results of the Coordinated Research Programme titled Advanced Surveillance, Diagnostics, and Prognostics Techniques Used for Health Monitoring of Systems, Structures, and Components in Nuclear Power Plants" (Initiated)
Nuclear Energy Series Report on "Interaction of Grid Characteristics with Design and Performance of Nuclear Power Plants" (Initiated)

Points of Interests

Technical Working Group on Nuclear Power Plant Control and Instrumentation (TWG - NPPCI)
International Database on Digital I&C Products, Platforms and Projects in Nuclear Power Plants: IDIP (Draft), Entry Form (Draft).
Questionnaire to collect information on I&C modernization projects in Nuclear Power Plants Entry Form (Draft).
I&C Related Draft Documents under Development:

Past Technical Meetings

Technical Meeting on Increasing Instrument Calibration Interval through On-line Calibration Technology, Halden, Norway, 27-29 September 2004, hosted by OECD Halden Reactor Project, Meeting CD Working Material.
Technical Meeting on On-Line Condition Monitoring of Equipment and Processes in NPPs Using Advanced Diagnostic Systems, Knoxville, TN, USA, 27-30 June 2005, hosted by Analysis and Measurement Services (AMS), Meeting CD Working Material.
Technical Meeting on the Impact of Modern Technology on Nuclear Power Plant I&C Systems, Chatou, France, 13-15 September 2005, hosted by EdF, Meeting CD Working Material.
Technical Meeting on Implementing an Licensing Digital I&C Systems and Equipment in Nuclear Power Plants, Espoo, Finland, 22-24 November 2005, hosted by VTT, Meeting CD Working Material.
20th Meeting of the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Power Plant Control and Instrumentation, Vienna, Austria, 23-35 May 2005. Meeting CD Working Material.

CONTACT

For more information please contact Mr. Oszvald Glöckler, Scientific Secretary for the NPP I&C area.

This page was updated on 26-AUGUST-2008.