Canada’s Bruce Power has awarded L3 MAPPS a contract to replace the digital control computer (DCC) system at unit 2 of the Bruce A nuclear station in Ontario. A similar contract was awarded for unit 6 of Bruce B in 2017.
According to L3, DCC systems are used to monitor and control the major reactor and power plant functions at Candu nuclear power plants. The new DCC system features SSCI-890 CPUs and will replace the Varian V72 computer systems and related equipment "to ensure continuous, safe and reliable performance over the service life of the plant", L3 MAPPS said. Three DCCs will be delivered. The first unit (DCC-Z), a maintenance platform, is due to be installed in late-2019. The other two (DCC-X and DCC-Y) are "redundant units for plant operations" and are due for delivery in the first quarter of 2020.
The Bruce nuclear plant comprises eight Candu reactors. Units 1-4 at Bruce A and units 5-8 at Bruce B provide 30% of Ontario's electricity Bruce A units 1 and 2 have already undergone refurbishment, which was completed in 2012. In January 2016, Bruce Power launched its CAD$13bn, Life-Extension Programme for units 3-8. Bruce unit 6 will be the first unit to undergo refurbishment, beginning in 2020. The programme, which will be completed by 2053, will enable the units to operate until 2064.
Photo: The Bruce nuclear plant
