Framatome has been awarded a contract by Kernkraftwerk Gösgen-Däniken AG (KKG) to modernise the reactor protection system in the emergency control building at the Gösgen nuclear power plant in Switzerland.

A reactor protection system (RPS) is a set of nuclear safety components in a nuclear power plant designed to safely shut down the reactor and prevent the release of radioactive materials. The system can be "tripped" either manually or automatically. Trips occur when the parameters meet or exceed the limit setpoint. A trip of the RPS results in full insertion of all control rods and shutdown of the reactor.

Under the new contract, the RPS at Gösgen's emergency control building will be modernised using Framatome's TELEPERM XS digital instrumentation and control (I&C) platform. The bunkered emergency control room is separate to the main control room. It can be used to safely shut down the plant in the event of an accident, and the residual heat removal can be monitored and operated.

Since 2002, KKG, in cooperation with Framatome, has modernised its I&C systems using a step-by-step approach, transitioning from analog to the latest digital technologies, while increasing performance and safety.

In April 2019, Framatome was awarded a contract by KKG to modernise the reactor protection system at Gösgen. The scope of that contract included modernisation of the entire RPS using Framatome's TELEPERM XS digital I&C platform. In addition, Framatome said important functions would be realised with a diverse hardwired back-up system. Installation and commissioning of the new RPS was carried out during the plant's planned 2022 outage.

The signing of that contract was preceded by the successful modernisation of the plant's four emergency diesel generators, including the upgrade of the entire I&C and electrical systems with Framatome's digital technology. In 2014, Framatome completed the digital modernisation of the plant's reactor control and limitation.

"We are delighted to continue our decades-long partnership with Gösgen NPP," said Frédéric Lelièvre, senior executive vice president of Framatome's Sales, Regional Platforms and I&C Business Unit. "This new contract again illustrates the trust our customer has in our ability to modernise from analog to digital technologies, while continuing to meet the highest standards of safety."

Framatome said its digital TELEPERM XS platform has been installed or is currently being installed in 92 reactors in 17 countries worldwide.

Gösgen is a 1010 MWe pressurised water reactor that began 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 about 13% of Switzerland's electricity needs.