Trends in digital I and C for nuclear power plants

Over the past decade, large-scale digital I and C systems have been installed on nuclear power plants as the original systems for plant operations. Examples of these include Sizewell B in the United Kingdom and Temelin NPP in the Czech Republic. Now, this digital technology is being used for replacement and upgrade systems such as those for Ringhals Unit 2 in Sweden and the Kewaunee plant in the United States. Such a digital upgrade is being planned for the Dukovany NPP in the Czech Republic. As the experience base grows with this digital technology on nuclear power plants, certain trends are developing in the application practices and licensing of these systems. This paper discusses these trends and suggests adaptations that may become necessary in the classical roles of vendors, regulators and plant operators. (author)