Nuclear Plant Security System Life Extension

As nuclear plants (power reactors) pass the midpoint of design life or approach the end of their approved operating license, serious consideration is given to plant life extension by upgrading various plant systems. The issues involved in plant life extension are primarily economic. Security, albeit a support system, is nevertheless a large plant system which impacts plant operations and is required for operating license extension. Once the decision is made to extend the operating life of a plant, a prudent approach to either upgrade, replace-in-part, or completety replace the physical security system can be made. The length of the overall plant life extension will help determine the approach to be used for the security system.