Bruce Power and Cambridge-based ATS Corporation’s (ATS) Industrial Automation business are collaborating on new automated tooling for inspection and installation work to reduce schedule, improve safety and quality, reduce human error, and improve overall performance of Bruce Power’s Unit 3 Major Component Replacement (MCR) Project.
In 2022, Bruce Power and ATS Industrial Automation solidified a contract to automate the installation and inspection of calandria tubes for the Unit 3 MCR. This initiative is an industry-first for a CANDU nuclear refurbishment and was recognized with a prestigious Innovation Award at the 2022 OCNI Supplier Excellence Awards.
Building on this success, the two companies are collaborating on another first-of-its-kind tool to semi-automate the installation of 480 fuel channels in the Unit 4 reactor. This innovation is expected to deliver significant critical path savings, while improving overall consistency and quality.
“Ontario is on the forefront of nuclear innovation, and the partnership between ATS and Bruce Power is a tremendous example of industry-leading innovation to safely optimize Ontario’s nuclear refurbishment programs, said Hon. Todd Smith, Minster of Energy. “This type of industry collaboration will ensure the continued supply of reliable, clean electricity to Ontario homes, businesses, and hospitals.”
“Bruce Power’s MCR Project and Life-Extension Program is demonstrating that large-scale nuclear refurbishment can safely and successfully extend the life of existing assets, providing an essential supply of affordable clean electricity to fight climate change and power a clean economy,” said Eric Chassard, Executive Vice President of Projects and Engineering at Bruce Power. “The automation technology developed by ATS is one example of how we are combining innovative new technology with proven best-practices and industry expertise that will enable improved performance and efficiency while maintaining the highest standard in safety and quality in our refurbishment program.”
“Our work with Bruce Power is one of the great examples, where ATS has driven innovation for its customers, and created a new benchmark within the nuclear industry, generating quantifiable benefits for our customers” said Udo Panenka, President of ATS Industrial Automation.
The Unit 3 MCR Project which began on March 1, 2023, is scheduled to return to service in 2026 and will provide clean, reliable power for the people of Ontario for decades to follow. Unit 4 MCR is scheduled to begin in 2025. Bruce Power’s MCR Project will see Units 3-8 refurbished, allowing the eight-unit site to continue to contribute to Ontario’s and Canada’s clean-energy goals and produce cancer-fighting medical isotopes through 2064.
