Performance monitoring at Ontario Hydro nuclear power plants

Efficient nuclear power generation has become increasingly important as the cost of fueling increases and license restrictions on power limits become more stringent. Accurate knowledge of operating reactor power is not only essential to maintain nuclear unit operation at its maximum capacity rating without violating safe operating margins, it is also important to provide a reference for monitoring plant performance. A reactor power calibration method and two types of plant performance indicators have been developed at Ontario Hydro. One of the performance indicators is the conversion effectiveness (CONEFF). CONEFF eliminates the effect of changes in system boundary conditions that are beyond the control of local station management, such as the power system controlled load levels and lake water temperatures. CONEFF is a cost-effectiveness indicator, which may be directly factored into local management's decision for maintenance plans. The other performance indicator is the Turbine Efficiency Monitoring Program (TEMP) and is a problem-solving tool for technical or operating personnel. The program includes the monitoring of several turbine cycle performance parameters and an A1 turbine model, which predicts the expected values of the monitored parameters under the current operating conditions. Causes for any change of efficiency may be identified by the deviations of one or more of the monitored parameters