Monitoring changes in the ac/dc auxiliary power system

Nuclear plant performance is a focal point of attention today within the industry. Several parameters have been identified as key items for measuring plant performance. In order to meet and exceed these key parameters, it is imperative that key areas of the plant design be monitored to ensure that operation is within the intended design basis and that they be evaluated in conjunction with any planned design change. With these activities as the starting point, some assurance can be gained that plant performance parameters will be met. The ac and dc auxiliary power systems within a nuclear station are critical to overall plant performance and considerable attention is being given to key related areas, such as the station blackout issue and battery performance. Outlined in this paper is a review of the design basis of the ac and dc auxiliary power systems along with a review of the methods available for reviewing the impact of design changes to these systems.