Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
June 4, 2013
Tokyo, JAPAN, June 4, 2013 - Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd. (Hitachi-GE) and AREVA today announced that they have reached an agreement aimed at improving the safety of nuclear power plants through the delivery of filtered containment venting systems (FCVS). The two companies intend to work together, including the adoption by Hitachi-GE of AREVA technology for the design, fabrication, and installation of these components. They will be used for the boiling water reactors (BWR) in Japan.
Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, Hitachi-GE has stepped up its efforts to improve the safety of nuclear power plants, and AREVA has already installed FCVS in more than 50 plants worldwide. Hitachi GE has been working with AREVA to study the functions and performance of FCVS suitable for installation at BWR nuclear power plants in Japan.
This partnership combines AREVA's technology, experience, and know-how in FCVS with Hitachi-GE's extensive technology, experience, and know-how about BWR nuclear power plants in Japan to adapt FCVS and achieve early delivery for these plants.
FCVS, a solution for enhancing the safety of nuclear power plants, plays an important role in preventing damage to primary containment vessel (PCV) due to pressure rises in situations where severe damage has occurred to the reactor, such as following an event that goes far beyond the design basis event criteria. FCVS is also a filtering system for removing the radioactive material throughout different high efficient filter stages.
In addition to its ongoing role in the resolution of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the rehabilitation of surrounding areas, Hitachi Group also intends to continue contributing to society through the supply of solutions that improve the safety and reliability of BWR nuclear power plants, so that they can ensure the stable supply of electric power.
AREVA has established the worldwide "Nuclear Safety Alliance program" in 2011 to provide qualified solution to enhance nuclear safety of the power plants to mitigate severe accident conditions. 85 projects have been launched in 16 countries for 42 nuclear utilities.
Hitachi-GE, a joint venture established by Hitachi, Ltd. and General Electric Company in July 2007, as one of the world's leading comprehensive plant manufacturers, engages in the development, planning, design, manufacture, inspection, installation, pre-operation, and maintenance of nuclear reactor-related equipment and is able to execute integrated project management. Hitachi-GE has been involved with 23 reactors in Japan to date, including those currently under construction. Among them, it has participated in all of Japan's Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) projects-four ABWRs are already operational and three are under construction. Overseas, it has supplied major nuclear reactor equipment for the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant in Taiwan.
AREVA supplies solutions for power generation with less carbon. Its expertise and unwavering insistence on safety, security, transparency and ethics are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated offering to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and related services. The Group is also expanding its operations to renewable energies - wind, solar, bioenergy, energy storage - to be one of the leaders in this sector worldwide.
With these two major offers, AREVA's 47,000 employees are helping to supply ever safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.
