Testing begins on Unit 3 at Finland's Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant

Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant
Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Testing of instruments and control (I&C) systems began recently on Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 3 reactor in Eurajoki, Finland.

These systems are responsible for ensuring that the plant is operating to design standards and in an appropriate manner. These controls also will be utilized to ensure that the plant is operating safely and can adapt to circumstances and unexpected weather conditions. Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), the plant’s owner-operator, said there are multiple systems within the plant’s instrumentation and controls for general operations and for when an accident or other issue occurs.

“The start of I&C tests is the first milestone achieved in 2016,” Jouni Silvennoinen, senior vice president at TVO, said. “The next significant steps will be taken in April, when starting of the process-systems tests is scheduled to take place. At the same time, also the operating-license application of the plant unit will be submitted to the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy.”

Earlier this month, the company issued performance data, and a Power News Wire report said the facility’s reactors already in operation generated approximately 14.26 terawatt hours of electricity over the course of 2015, with the load factor of all reactors listed at 92.7 percent.