L-3 MAPPS has won an order from Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) to replace the Gentilly-2 Nuclear Generating Station’s digital control computers (DCCs). DCC systems are used to monitor and control the major reactor and power plant functions at CANDU* nuclear power plants. The DCC replacement project is part of a plant refurbishment project, which will extend the life of Gentilly-2 until approximately the year 2040.

“Through our long-standing relationship with AECL, L-3 MAPPS is pleased to play its part in extending the life of the Gentilly-2 station,” said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing and sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation.

The new DCCs will feature the latest SSCI-890 CPUs and modern VME-based replacements for the existing Ramtek display system and contact scanner. L-3’s DCC CPUs will replace four Varian 73 computer systems and related input/output and ancillary equipment currently in use at Gentilly-2. The system will be delivered to Gentilly-2 in the summer of 2011.

Hydro-Québec has operated Gentilly-2, a 675MW CANDU heavy water reactor, since start-up in 1983. Gentilly-2 is located in Bécancour, Québec, about 90 minutes east of Montreal near the town of Trois-Rivières, and is the only nuclear power plant in the province of Québec.

AECL is one of the world’s leading nuclear technology companies, providing services to nuclear utilities on four continents. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology, including the CANDU 6, one of the world’s top-performing reactors. There are 48 heavy water reactors based on the CANDU design in operation, under construction, or under refurbishment worldwide. AECL is building on this success with the new advanced CANDU reactor (ACR-1000), an evolutionary reactor based on the proven success of the original CANDU design.

L-3 MAPPS, a division of the L-3 Marine and Power Systems group, has over 25 years of experience in pioneering technological advances in the marine automation field and over 35 years of experience in delivering high-fidelity power plant simulation to leading utilities worldwide. In addition, the company has more than three decades of expertise in supplying plant computer systems for Canadian heavy water reactors. L-3 MAPPS also provides targeted controls and simulation solutions to the space sector.