Ontario’s nuclear advantage was on full display as Bruce Power hit a major milestone in its Unit 4 Major Component Replacement (MCR) in record fashion through innovation developed right here at home.
The installation of 480 Calandria Tubes, key reactor components, in Unit 4’s MCR outage was completed with a high degree of quality and 25 days ahead of the same milestone in Unit 3, setting yet another record in CANDU refurbishment history.
Making this possible was the use of a state-of-the-art six-axis robotic tooling system, which was used for the first time on a reactor face during the Unit 3 MCR. Taking lessons from that initial deployment and refining the process further, Bruce Power’s skilled tradespeople and partners were able to deliver the Unit 4 Calandria Tube installation with high degrees of accuracy and performance.
This robotic tooling, designed to increase safety to workers by limiting exposure to radiation and to deliver accurate and repeatable results, is a made-in-Canada innovation with design, testing, training and function led by Bruce Power, Shoreline Power Group, ATS Automation and Calian Engineering.
“Once again, Ontario’s nuclear sector is demonstrating its world leadership and proven track record of delivering large-scale refurbishments on budget and ahead of schedule,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Made-in-Ontario innovation accelerated the competition of the Unit 4 Major Component Replacement, delivering another record at Bruce. With electricity demand projected to rise by up to 90 per cent by 2050, Ontario continues to set the benchmark for the world as we build new nuclear for the next generation, creating 150,000 new jobs.”
The automated series inserts a calandria tube insert into each calandria tube and rolls the joint to a precise target diameter, creating a leak-tight seal between the two components. The tooling operates from both faces of the reactor and uses microscopic measurements throughout the process to deliver consistent and repeatable results.
In August, the team set a new CANDU refurbishment record, installing 20 calandria tubes in a 24-hour period and surpassing the previous mark of 16 in Unit 3.
With this installation complete, work on Unit 4 moves to fuel channel installation. The lessons learned through calandria tube install will continue to support future units while helping establish new Canadian benchmarks for productivity, quality and innovation.
The Unit 4 MCR outage is the half-way point in Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program, which will see Units 3-8 renewed and returned to service by 2033. Unit 6 and Unit 3 have been safely and successfully returned to service and Unit 5 MCR is set to begin in November at Bruce B, with Units 7 and 8 to follow.
“We are returning our units to service with very high quality, providing clean, reliable and affordable electricity for the people of Ontario for decades to come, while ensuring a very stable supply of cancer-fighting medical isotopes for patients around the world,” said Eric Chassard, Bruce Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our skilled tradespeople, Project Team and expert nuclear supply chain are leading the way in safety, quality, innovation and overall performance as we build a clean energy future.”
About Bruce Power
Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.