Recently, Framatome, a French nuclear energy company, has entered into a cooperation agreement with Energy Northwest to upgrade multiple sets of digital control systems for the latter's Columbia Nuclear Power Plant. The main scope of work includes the design, manufacturing, testing and installation of new digital feedwater level control systems and feedwater heater vent and drain systems.
Framatome's solution is based on its commercial digital control platform Tricon, an integral part of the plant's instrumentation and control system. The upgraded system will form a robust and reliable digital control platform that not only enhances operators' monitoring insight and on-site situational awareness but also reduces lifecycle maintenance costs, thereby supporting the long-term operation of the power plant. The development, manufacturing and assembly of the system will be completed at Framatome's Centers of Excellence in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and Lynchburg, Virginia.