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BUSINESS OVERVIEW
06
6.4 Operations
In Kazakhstan, AREVA was selected as a technology provider for the construction
of a 200-metric-ton fuel fabrication plant for Ulba-Fa, a joint venture between
Kazatomprom and CGN.
In conclusion, the streamlining of its production plants and the development of
partnerships and technology supply contracts in Asia and elsewhere, and the
deployment of a new generation of products combined with a very comprehensive
range of fuel services will enable the Fuel business to optimize its position in an
evolving market and to secure its market share by expanding its commercial
positions in all regions.
6.4.2.1.2.
Installed base
Businesses
The scope of the Installed Base Business Unit covers:
p
products and services to maintain, upgrade and extend the operating period
of reactors in service;
p
nuclear and specialized engineering services related to the operation and
maintenance of nuclear reactors;
p
products and solutions for the installation and commissioning of new reactors;
p
projects to install and/or replace heavy components, mobile components, and
large forgings and castings.
The Installed Base business’s portfolio of solutions and services aims to improve
the safety, availability and economic performance of nuclear power facilities.
Operations and highlights
Noteworthy among the key highlights of 2016 was the German platform’s significant
commercial successes with international customers, securing its operations even
as Germany phases out nuclear power. For example, several multi-year services
and engineering contracts were signed with Swiss, Spanish and Brazilian utilities.
The German platform also contributed to AREVA’s commercial successes in China.
ASIA
AREVA recorded commercial successes for different product lines, giving shape to
its localization strategy in China and enabling it to take advantage of market growth.
In South Korea, AREVA consolidated in the market for reactor coolant pump
upgrades.
NORTH AMERICA
AREVA was awarded a contract valued at several tens of millions of dollars to
manufacture and install heat exchangers in the secondary cooling system of the
Palo Verde power plant in Arizona.
Through its Steam Generator Technology joint venture (SGT), AREVA signed a
contract valued at several tens of millions of dollars for engineering studies and
on-site steam generator replacement operations at a US power plant.
The maintenance teams worked in several US power plants for long unit outages,
successfully and simultaneously performing various important repairs, particularly
during the spring and autumn operating peaks.
The cavitation peening process developed in 2014 was successfully implemented
for the first time on the vessel closure heads of the Byron and Braidwood reactors.
AREVA signed several contracts with US utilities for engineering services, in
particular contracts for strategic cybersecurity expertise. These services will enable
the group’s customers to improve the digital protection systems of their nuclear
power plants
The Installed Base Business Unit continues to adapt its structure to the market
environment in response to the US utility initiative “Deliver the Nuclear Promise”
launched at the end of 2015, which aims to enhance power plant safety and
performance and to significantly reduce costs.
FRANCE
AREVA had a large volume of operations in the services field in France, in particular
to support EDF’s Major Retrofitting Program (“
Grand Carénage”
).
AREVA signed a multi-year contract to service equipment in the primary cooling
system of EDF’s 1,300 MWe reactors, among others.
AREVA began, and continues, operations to upgrade the instrumentation and
control systems of the Paluel and Cattenom power plants. Additionally, a multi-year
contract was signed for similar work to be carried out at EDF’s 900 MWe power
plants. Henceforth, this work will be carried out by the Instrumentation and Control
Business Unit created in 2016.
In April, unfortunately, a steam generator fell in the Paluel 2 power plant during
work performed by a short-term joint venture in which AREVA is a stakeholder. It is
working closely with EDF and the French nuclear safety authority ASN to resolve
the incident and resume the steam generator replacement operations.
AREVA’s teams also provided support for investigations in progress on subjects
involving carbon segregation in certain forgings produced by Creusot Forges and
JCFC which are used in certain equipment in the French reactor fleet. In particular,
they took a number of measurements and in some cases took samples from the
sites.
Themaintenance teams also worked on long unit outages in England at the Sizewell
power plant, and in South Africa.
AREVA signed an extension to the collaboration agreement with the CEA valued
at several tens of millions of euros for its participation in the design phase of the
technology demonstration project for the Generation IV reactor known as Astrid.
Human and industrial resources
Historically, the Installed Base Business Unit’s teams are located in France, the
United States and Germany, but they are also present in China, Sweden, Spain,
Canada, Slovakia, South Africa and elsewhere. These decentralized units are staffed
with highly qualified specialists and offer personalized, localized service to their
customers to help them comply with national regulations.
In addition, the business unit has workshops in Europe and the United States for
offsite maintenance, to develop its equipment and to store its tools, as well as three
facilities dedicated to personnel training and instruction, one in France co-owned by
the EDF group and AREVA (Cetic), one in Germany, and one in the United States.
2016 AREVA
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