Eviden (Atos Group), through its Worldgrid business, specializing in energy management solutions and nuclear control systems, and Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and industrial automation, have signed a major contract with EDF.
The two Groups will supply the Level 1 standard control systems for EDF’s six planned nuclear power plants (EPR2), as part of the plan to revive the nuclear industry announced by French President Emmanuel Macron.
As EDF recently announced that it had initiated the necessary authorization procedures to start construction of the first two EPR2 units at Penly, Normandy, scheduled for mid-2024, Worldgrid (Eviden) and Schneider Electric are starting work to design, qualify and build the future Level 1 standard control systems for the nuclear units concerned.
As part of this contract, Worldgrid, from its ISERAN campus in the Grenoble region, will be responsible for integrating and programming the PLCs (programmable logic controller), as well as producing all the software needed to automate the translation of control function diagrams into PLC programs. Schneider Electric, from its engineering and design office based in Aix-en-Provence, will be responsible for supplying the hardware infrastructure built around the M580 PLCs (nuclear range) meeting the appropriate qualification level in terms of nuclear safety. Production will take place at Schneider Electric’s French plants. This control system will enable EDF to efficiently manage and control its nuclear reactors, ensuring high availability and complete safety.
“We are proud to contribute to the renaissance of the nuclear industry in France! This major contract underlines our 45 years of experience in the field of nuclear command and control. By working with other European companies on this project, we are helping to support Europe’s nuclear energy sovereignty, which is essential to support over the years as we transition to decarbonized energy mix,” explains Emmanuel Besse, Worldgrid CEO, Eviden, Atos Group.
“With design and production rooted in our sites in the South-East of France, Schneider Electric is delighted to continue its long-standing partnership with the French nuclear industry, while helping to make France’s energy mix more resilient and low carbon,” says Laurent Bataille, Schneider Electric Executive Vice-President France Operations.
As the French nuclear industry gets back on its feet, it is vital to be able to recruit the new talent needed to ensure its success. Numerous initiatives are underway at Worldgrid, which plans to recruit 150 people in 2023, 50% of them in the nuclear sector, and will continue this trend over the next 5 years. Schneider Electric is also working to strengthen its nuclear teams, with several dozen positions already available.
