SAINT-LAURENT, QUEBEC, CANADA, October 10, 2006 — L-3 Communications MAPPS, a wholly owned subsidiary of L-3 Communications, announced today that it has won an order from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) – Canada’s largest nuclear plant operator – to replace the Digital Control Computer (DCC) central processing units (CPUs) at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. DCC systems are used to monitor and control the major reactor and power plant functions at CANDU* nuclear power plants.
To guarantee the long-term operational security of Darlington, L-3 MAPPS and its principal subcontractor, Massachusetts-based Quickware Engineering & Design, will refine existing equipment to emulate and ultimately replace the current computers that control key process systems at Darlington. Through the deal, existing computer emulation technology will be redesigned to allow for component upgrades and other improvements. Once OPG requirements have been satisfied, OPG can exercise an option for L-3 MAPPS to integrate the newly designed computer into the current DCC systems at Darlington’s four generating units.
L-3 MAPPS has been supplying most major components for DCCs since 1970, including the provision of the Darlington DCC input/output system in the late 1980’s. The Darlington DCC computer replacement project together with the Varian DCC replacement initiative currently underway with the CANDU Owners Group provide L-3 MAPPS with design control over the entire range of DCC equipment. For DCC applications, the Varian computers are widely used in CANDU plants worldwide, whereas the computers at Darlington are unique.
“We are delighted to augment our role in this market segment and to once again work with OPG – the flagship CANDU operator”, said Michael Chatlani, vice president, marketing & sales, L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation. “L-3 MAPPS has demonstrated its commitment to supporting CANDU operators with its DCC systems and looks forward to playing its part in ensuring CANDU’s continued viability for many years to come”.
Ontario Power Generation Inc. is an Ontario-based electricity generation company whose principal business is the generation and sale of electricity in Ontario. As of December 31, 2005, OPG’s electricity-generating portfolio had a total in-service capacity of 22,173 megawatts (MW). In 2005, OPG generated 108.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. Of OPG’s generation assets, Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is the company’s newest CANDU nuclear generating station. It is a 4-unit station with a total output of 3,524 megawatts (MW), providing about 20 percent of Ontario’s electricity needs. Darlington is located in the Municipality of Clarington in Durham Region, 70 km east of Toronto.
* CANDU is an acronym for CANada Deuterium Uranium and is a registered trademark of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. The CANDU system is a unique design that uses deuterium oxide (heavy water) as the moderator and coolant, and natural uranium as fuel.