ML20205G297

Requests That NRC Complete Review of Rev 0 to CENPD-396-P, Common Qualified Platform TR & Rev 0 to CE-CES-195-P, Software Program Manual for 'Common Q' Sys, by 990930

ML20205G297
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	04/01/1999
From:	Cruse C BALTIMORE GAS & ELECTRIC CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
PROJECT-692 NUDOCS 9904070202
Download: ML20205G297 (2)

Text

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r CuraLEs H. Cat.'sE Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Vice President Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Nuclear Energy 1650 Cahert Cliffs Parkway Lusby, Maryland 20657 410 495-4455 l

April 1,1999 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 ATTENTION: Document Control Desk

SUBJECT:

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant Unit Nos.1 & 2; Docket Nos. 50-317 & 50-318 Schedule Request for Review of Common Qualified Platform Topical Report (CENPD-396-P, Revision 00) and Software Program Manual for " Common Q" Systems (CE-CES-195-P. Revision 001 Proiect 692 Baltimore Gas and Electric Company requests that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) complete the review of the subject documents by September 30, 1999. Asea Brown Boveri-Combustion Engineering, Inc. (ABB-CE) recently submitted the subject reports for NRC review and approval. These reports describe the hardware and software design and qualification that were developed by ABB-CE for a programmable logic controller (PLC) platform, based on the Advant AC-160 design. This digital,

' Common Q', platform is central to the design of digital upgrades that we are planning to use to replace our existing safety-relat ' instrumentation and control (l&C) systems. Until we are assured that the proposed Advant AC-16v PLC is acceptable to the NRC, we are reluctant to proceed with our design engineering activities to use it. Our current plans call for replacing our post-accident monitoring equipment over the next two to four years. We also envision the Advant AC-160 PLC as a viable design alternative to our Engineering Safety Features Actuation System, should we choose to significantly upgrade it.

As you are aware, all nuclear utilities are facing obsolescence issues in their existing I&C equipment. i Obsolescence is a growing issue at our plant. In the long-term, our existing I&C systems, which are mostly analog based, are not going to be supported by suppliers of replacement components. Recently, 1g the original equipment manufacturer for our Engineering Safety Features Actuation System I&C equipment informed us that they will no longer support it. We have been working with ABB-CE and the

, Combustion Engineering Owners Group (CEOG) to develop a strategy to design modern replacement I&C systems that will have long-term component availability. We have invested in the " Common Q" l

platform design as the replacement system design basis. We and five other CEOG utilities have provided funding to the Electric Power Research Institute PLC platform qualification program to complete the licensing of the Advant-160 rg PLC. g Q M 9904070202 990401 p\

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Docum:nt Control Desk April 1,1999 Page 2 In order to appropriately manage equipment obsolescence and upgrades in these important safety-related systems here and at other CEOG plants, we ask that the NRC designate review of the subject topical reports as Priority 2: High Priority Near Term. This priority appears consistent with Nuclear Reactor l Regulation Office Letter 803, Section 2.4.3, " activities to support evaluation of necessary modifications or enhancements." We believe this is an important proposal that supports the continued reliability of I safety-related plant equipment.

l The CEOG and ABB-CE have committed to provide you with all necessary information to facilitate your l review. We encourage discussions and meetings as needed to help you meet our requested schedule.

Should you have questions regarding this matter, we will be pleased to discuss them with you.  !

Very truly yours, l f1 J' WfW l' CHC/JMO/bjd cc: R. S. Fleishman, Esquire H. J. Miller, NRC J. E. Silberg, Esquire Resident inspector, NRC S. S. Bajwa, NRC R. I. McLean, DNR A. W. Dromerick, NRC J. H. Walter, PSC l B. W. Sheron, NRC J. R. Strosnider, NRC l J. A. Calvo, NRC M. E. Waterman, NRC S. L. Magruder, NRC l

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