Experience feedback contribution to the exploitation and maintenance of nuclear power plants - applications and perspectives

This paper describes the methods used by Electricite de France to analyse the experience feedback of the PWR power plants exploitation. Informations on events and incidents on nuclear units are stored in a database but are not directly exploitable. The first step is the validation of these data using the experience feedback to improve the reliability of materials and installations. A better knowledge of installations and materials behaviour allows to maintain the safety level (using probabilistic studies), to improve the availability and maintenance practices, to modify the initial conception and to help for future units conception. If the experience feedback requires an important initial investment, in counterpart, it allows the definition of safer operating procedures and preventive maintenance programs for existing and future plants. (J.S.). 13 refs., 7 figs