The Sanmen 1 main control room (MCR) was declared operational by Sanmen Nuclear Power Company, Ltd. (SMNPC) and State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC). Once the plant is online and operating, certified reactor operators will work from the MCR to monitor and control plant processes.
In order to achieve the MCR Operational milestone, several key instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, including plant control system (PLS), data and display system (DDS) and the operations and control system (OCS), were integrated and tested to ensure key plant functions could be monitored and controlled from the MCR. Once these systems were integrated, the AP1000 plant's digital control system completed multiple commissioning activities, including the commissioning of the 220 volt and 10 kilovolt electrical systems, service and instrument air, and demineralized water systems.
Westinghouse delivered all of the I&C systems, as well as the design documentation, engineering services and mechanical equipment in support of this milestone.
"Achieving the Main Control Room Operational milestone is a major accomplishment for Westinghouse, SMNPC and SNPTC," said David Howell, senior vice president, Westinghouse Automation and Field Services. "The integration of key I&C systems and the operability of the main control room will now facilitate other key testing activities at the world's first AP1000 nuclear power plant." Sanmen 1 is expected to start operations towards the end of 2014.
An AP1000 simulator is also in operation at Westinghouse's Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania headquarters.
Photo: Employees from Westinghouse and SMNPC pose in the Main Control Room at Sanmen Unit 1, the world's first AP1000 nuclear power plant
