Testing started on OL3 I&C

Tests on the instrumentation and control system (I&C) of TVO's Olkiluoto 3 plant unit have started in the test bay of Areva-Siemens in Germany. The purpose of the tests is to verify the operation of I&C systems before they are delivered to the plant site in Olkiluoto.

The I&C functions will be tested in phases in the tests that have now been started. The first test phase includes the testing of the functions of process control I&C.

– The tests conducted in Germany represent an important milestone in the progress of the project. It is great that the tests can now be started according to plans. This is an extensive test programme which will take at least until the end of this year to complete. At this point we cannot give an exact schedule, says the OL3 Project Director Jouni Silvennoinen.

The I&C systems are used in the monitoring and control of the OL3 plant unit. The I&C consists of monitoring and control systems, protection systems, I&C interfaces and field instrumentation. The monitoring and control systems are automatic systems based on digital technology. Redundancy is provided by means of a separate system which is independent of the digital I&C.

After these factory acceptance tests, the I&C systems will be delivered to Olkiluoto for integrated testing of I&C and the process as a whole as part of the commissioning of the plant unit before fuel is loaded into the reactor.

For more information, please contact:

Jouni Silvennoinen, Senior Vice President, OL3 Project, tel. +358 2 8381 4100

Pasi Tuohimaa, Head of Communications, tel. +358 2 8381 5216

Teollisuuden Voima Oyj is a Finnish nuclear power company founded in 1969 for safe and reliable production of electric to the Finnish society. The nuclear power generated at TVO's Olkiluoto plants accounted in 2013 for ca. one sixth of the total energy consumption in Finland. Clean energy production not only benefits the Finnish society but also contributes to the global reduction of environmental impact.