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Korean companies team up for overseas I&C projects

Wednesday, 13 March 2019

An agreement to jointly participate in overseas nuclear digital instrumentation and control projects has recently been signed between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction. Both companies were involved in the development of the Korean Digital I&C system.

Korean companies team up for overseas I&C projects — A rendering of a control room based on the Korean Digital I&C system (Image: KHNP)

I&C systems are used for operating, monitoring and controlling nuclear power reactors. Process automation systems are designed for normal operating conditions, while safety automation systems control the safety functions in potential transient and accident conditions.

According to KHNP Executive Vice President Baek-Sik Noh, "Korean Digital I&C is the world's most reliable technology and has been verified by Korean and international professional institutions, such as the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and the International Atomic Energy Agency."

Under the agreement - signed on 28 February - the Doosan and KHNP aim to strengthen cooperation as business partners. KHNP said both companies are "optimistic about the forthcoming overseas I&C projects beyond the APR1400, the current Korean nuclear reactor model from KHNP".

Doosan began development of Korean Digital I&C in 2001 in cooperation with KHNP and Korean research institutions. The validation and verification process started in 2007 and was completed in 2010. The domestically-developed I&C system is being installed at units 1 and 2 of the Shin Hanul, the second pair of APR-1400s to be constructed in Korea following those at the Shin Kori plant. Previously, I&C systems for Korean plants have been supplied by foreign companies, including Westinghouse.

KHNP and Doosan will cooperate in digital I&C modernisation projects in new build nuclear power plants and existing plants that are in operation overseas. The cooperation, KHNP said, is expected "to bring forth a synergistic effect based on KHNP's financing capabilities, its experience in digital I&C installation, commissioning and operations, along with Doosan's design and manufacturing technology".

Doosan is a nuclear power equipment supplier and has participated in the construction of power plants in China, South Korea, the UAE and the USA.

In addition to cooperating in I&C projects, KHNP and Doosan are also collaborating to participate in prospective nuclear power plant projects, including those in the Czech Republic and Poland.