OVERVIEW

BCP has had a long working relationship with Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) since the 1990s and has served in a number of varying capacities from providing workforce and staff augmentation to niche consulting engagements in areas that include procedures, engineering programs, cybersecurity, to name a few of the more recent projects.

CLIENT ISSUE/PROBLEM

Relying on the principles of NEI’s Nuclear Promise, Southern Nuclear Company (SNC) sought to apply risk/performance-based analysis to determine the appropriate timeframe between In-service inspections of CPTS at VEGP Units 1 and 2.

SOLUTION

BCP consultants developed a first-of-kind, novel analysis applied to Containment Post-Tensioning System (CPTS) using Historical Inspection data to determine if a more rational approach to In-service inspections could be obtained. The nexus for this approach resides in the analysis of historical results documented for post-tensioned concrete containments to assess pre-stressing force and its significance following the Structural Integrity Test (SIT).

Plant Vogtle worked with BCP to apply this FOAK analysis of historical data which suggested that continuing to perform these examinations at 5-year intervals represents a significant misapplication of the funding available for plant operations.

CLIENT BENEFITS

Through this innovative analysis and perspective, Southern Nuclear Company (SNC) Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), Units 1 and 2, VEGP was designated as an industry first to receive approval from the Nuclear regulatory commission (NRC) to extend In-service Inspections from being performed every 5-years to every 15-years. This outcome generated cost savings associated with close to $1,000,000 for this analysis and is expected to provide significant future cost savings depending on future NRC approvals in 2025. This outcome also significantly reduces personnel exposure to industrial safety hazards associated with less frequent system examination/testing and improves productivity and efficiency by eliminating and reducing the activities and costs associated with this testing and utilizing these resources to make a positive impact in other areas of need for VEGP.