Experts from the Moscow Center of the World Association of Organizations Operating Nuclear Power Plants (WANO-MC), as part of the so-called support mission, discussed with specialists from Kursk NPP and jointly developed practical recommendations on the topic “NPP configuration management”.

NPP configuration management is the management of the state of the elements of the power unit in each of its modes of operation - start-up, shutdown, operation and repairs.

Let us remind that such WANO support missions are performed regularly at all Russian NPPs and allow nuclear power plants to find ways to effectively improve any processes in a proven way.

The mission, which took place at the invitation of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, was also attended by representatives of the Leningrad and Smolensk NPPs, which operate power units of the same type as the KuNPP.

“The participants of the interaction discussed the existing systems for managing the NPP configuration, design and operational safety margins, studied examples of improving their efficiency and technical solutions for specific elements of the plant configuration.  Communication was effective, colleagues from the Kursk NPP, as always, showed great interest in the results of joint work,” said Galim Musin, advisor to WANO-MC, head of the mission.

“As for the discussed important topic, we have formed an understanding of the main areas in which we will continue to develop,” Mikhail Artemichev, deputy Chief Engineer for Modernization and engineering support of the Kursk NPP, commented on the results of the mission.  “The colleagues presented their opinion to us, we agreed with them on many issues, others will have to be discussed in detail, an action plan should be drawn up and we will improve on it.”

The radiation background at the Kursk NPP and in the area of its location is at a level corresponding to the normal operation of power units, and does not exceed natural background values.