Vladimir Kishkin, first deputy chief designer of VNIIA

– Our means for development of safety systems comply with European safety standards

Energoatom Concern is transiting to an innovative safety control system. The key topic of the conference of the chief inspectors of the Russian nuclear power plants organized by the General Inspectorate of the Concern at Smolensk NPP July 29–30 2009 was the methods to ensure the safety of the plants. The chief inspectors considered the results of the analysis of the safety and efficiency of the plants in Jan-June 2009. Deputy General Inspector of Eneregoatom Concern Igor Zonov said that the safety of the plants had been confirmed by all national supervisory agencies and foreign experts. The latter rate the Russian NPPs among the safest in the world.

Today, there are few digital complexes that can be used for the production of modern safety system. Such equipment is mostly produced by Siemens, jointly with AREVA, as well as by Delta Systems and Solutions. We have no problems with integrating their equipment with our safety systems.

At the same time, the equipment we manufacture in Russia is certified by Rostekhnadzor for use in safety systems. Even more, our support systems have been certified by TUV CERT and comply with the European standards. This certificate allows us to use these means for production of safety systems.

The point is that we have fewer problems with our equipment. The use of national systems will help us to unify the equipment used at nuclear power plants and thereby to enhance their safety. The first thing we need is a reliable supplier, the second — high quality of equipment. We have both and this fact has been confirmed by national and international supervisors. As producers we will be able to solve all possible technical problems more quickly than our foreign colleagues will do – in just one day. Besides, we have to ensure that the equipment safely operate for several decades and see to it that all necessary components be supplied timely throughout the service life of the unit. This is one more proof that our NPPs are safe.