Managing to age gracefully in France [plant life extension]

EdF's approach to life extension emphasises management of the ageing process in order to avoid sudden phasing out of its PWRs. The Plant Lifetime Evaluation Project was launched by EdF at the end of 1985. A group of fourteen components was selected as being the most critical as regards plant lifetime. For each major component, firstly lifetime evaluation data was gathered, secondly the influence of different operating modes was evaluated, thirdly safety measures were identified and finally economic aspects were examined. The first phase of the project - comprising these initial 4 tasks was completed at the beginning of 1988. The second phase is now starting, and will define and launch the recommended actions. (U.K.)