CGN's FirmSys marked for first application in nuclear power project

FirmSys, a domestically-developed high-safety nuclear power plant control system (DCS), was scheduled for its first application in the Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5, built by China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN), in Guangdong province on May 22.

Dubbed the "central nervous system" of nuclear power plants, FirmSys plays an important role in ensuring their safety and stability.

With strong support from the National Energy Administration, the National Nuclear Safety Administration and other departments, China Techenergy Co (CTEC), a subsidiary of CGN, developed FirmSys as China's first nuclear-grade DCS platform with independent intellectual property rights in October 2010.

"In order to ensure system security, FirmSys adopts an independently designed operating system and communication network," CTEC General Manager Jiang Guojin said.

CTEC delivered the nuclear-grade DCS equipment to Yangjiang Nuclear Power Co in November 2016 and the system has been running well and is well prepared for commercial operation after various tests.

Besides Yangjiang NPP Units 5 and 6, FirmSys is also involved in the transformation of the instrument control system of several domestic units already in service.

In addition, it will be applied in the Shidao Bay high temperature gas cooled reactor and Hongyanhe, Tianwan and Fangchenggang NPPs. The system can save nearly 3 billion yuan ($465 million) for China's nuclear power project construction.