EDF/SEPTEN has just awarded the contract for its new SiRENE engineering simulator (RENovated study SImulators) to CORYS.
This project has been launched to limit the effect of the obsolescence of the SIPACT simulator, operational since the early ‘90s. A first version of SiRENE for the 900 MW concept will be available at the end of 2016, to meet the nuclear engineering needs for the 10 year Visit n° 4 programmed for early 2019. EDF would like to use this tool to validate operating instructions (CIA and CN), to carry out PSA level 1 support studies and to carry out exploratory studies.
From the production point of view, the development of the simulator is defined by 4 principal objectives:
To have one single study simulator for all the EDF concepts: this means achieving a unique product enabling the simulation of all four major concepts in the fleet: 900Mw(CPy), 1300Mw(P4 and P’4), 1450Mw(N4) and 1650Mw(EPR).
To make the most of existing simulators: the aim is to reuse existing stock wherever possible, particularly the instructor station and the architecture of the EPR study simulator as well as the process model of the fullscope SIROCCO simulator.
To be equipped with a representative and updatable model: true to the plant ‘s behaviour and easy to update (whenever the plant itself is updated) or modify (for study purposes).
To bring the simulator to the user: the objective is to maximise the use of the product by making access to this type of tool easier for users.
Jérémy Carrion and Benjamin Henssien, EDF Septen said:
“We’re confident the SIRENE project will make us more responsive and apposite when it comes to monitoring changes to EDF facilities currently in operation. Changes are developed and deployed as part of the ten-year inspection programmes for each unit. Simulation will take us beyond an audit-based approach: we’ll be able to predict and detail the impact of changes on the system itself and on peripheral systems.Construction of the simulator is at the heart of this project, which will also affect our engineering practices: we’re looking at how to develop these to incorporate this solution.”
