The ecosystem of the nuclear industry in the South of France responded massively to the invitation from Capenergies and its partners, with nearly 90 participants meeting on Wednesday 22 June at the CEA in Cadarache, on the premises of the INSTN.
The event achieved its main objective: to bring together key accounts, SMEs, laboratories, training bodies and regional support for the industry, to discuss the levers that will enable the French nuclear industry to return to excellence.
This is essential if we are to meet the many challenges we face today: operating and maintaining the existing generation fleet in the best possible conditions, successfully renewing the fleet as announced by the French government, and developing innovations, including new reactor concepts, at a time when the challenges of decarbonising activities and ensuring energy sovereignty are becoming ever more pressing.
THE EXCELL PLAN - Committing the nuclear industry to excellence
Launched at the end of 2019 with the contribution of 146 nuclear professionals, the EDF's Excell Plan is to bring the entire nuclear industry back to the highest levels of rigour, quality and excellence, so that it can meet the challenges of the projects ahead.
Anne-François DE SAINT SALVYEDF's PMO Director for the Excell Transformation Plan, presented the plan's clear, practical objectives: to reduce design and manufacturing rework for the 1st pair of EPR2s by at least a factor of 10; to regain long-term control of welding operations on new buildings and in operation; and to reduce non-quality in the fleet in operation.
Guaranteed compliant manufacture and construction, a partnership-based, customer-focused supply chain, standardisation, governance of major projects and increasing the skills of the industry are the 5 key areas of the Excell Plan, along with a welding plan and 30 commitments.
The first results of this plan are now being seen, including the introduction of tighter control over major nuclear projects, the creation of the Nuclear Professions University, which aims to involve all regions of France, and the definition of new standards for a collaborative and balanced relationship between EDF and its suppliers.
The importance of certification and industrial innovation by example
The association Cycliumwhich brings together 50e of nuclear companies in the South of France presented its collective action towards certification ISO 19443 This is a certificate attesting to the ability of a company in the nuclear sector to manage its quality management system and control the conformity of the products or services it supplies to its customers. This is illustrated by feedback from the company Berthier Equipements.
In terms of industrial innovation, the ARQANE project supported by France Relance, and presented by InovsysThe aim of this project is to demonstrate and validate the maturity of metal additive manufacturing for the nuclear industry, and to lay the foundations for a unified technical reference system in preparation for industrialisation.
The morning ended with an open discussion with the audience, which highlighted the key role of skills, as well as the links to be strengthened between the nuclear industry and training.
What's next? Nuclear industry players in the South of France, what are your expectations?
In addition to the debate and discussions at the event, we invite you to respond to the following questions a quick questionnaire (estimated time: 3 minutes).
The results are essential for us to be able to guide our action and better support you in the future!