Omaha Public Power District Selects Invensys as Automation System Supplier for Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant Upgrade.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Advanced I/A Series control and information system technology will help ensure reliable operation to support 20-year operating extension

Invensys Process Systems has been selected to provide a state-of-the-art Foxboro-brand I/A Series distributed control and data acquisition system to help ensure reliable operation and improve generating efficiency at Omaha Public Power District's (OPPD) 500-megawatt Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station.

OPPD, one of the largest public utilities in the United States, recently began implementing a comprehensive plant upgrade to support a 20-year operating license extension for the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant. The advanced capabilities of the I/A Series system, combined with Invensys' extensive experience in providing highly reliable control and information systems for nuclear power plants, represented important factors in the selection process.

Specific upgrade project objectives include:

--Replace obsolete control systems to further improve plant reliability and performance

--Reduce operations and maintenance costs

--Improve generating efficiency

--Utilize technology that can be easily upgraded over time to remain viable over the extended life of plant

--Maintain a competitive edge over other forms of electrical power generation

Specific automation sub-systems to be provided by Invensys, in conjunction with its authorized regional sales representative, Logic Control Sales, headquartered in Olathe, KS, include:

--Distributed Processing System to provide a high-performance, high-availability platform for information handling applications

--Plant Data Network to provide the system backbone for high-speed, high-reliability communications among the various control and data acquisition functions

--Data Acquisition System to provide process information to the plant computer

--Secondary Control Element Assembly Position Indication System to monitor and manage the critical control rod functions

--Feed Water Control System utilizing enhanced single-element control mode for low load operations and three-element control mode for normal operation

--Feed Water Heater Control System utilizing advanced regulatory control to minimize the propagation of disturbances

Advanced redundant/fault-tolerant hardware and communications configurations will be utilized throughout the Fort Calhoun Plant's I/A Series control and data acquisition network as required to help ensure appropriate levels of system availability. Additionally, the latest firewall and other network security technology will be utilized to protect against network intrusions.

The initial control system foundation will be installed and commissioned in 2005, with additional phases of the system will be installed in 2006.

Invensys nuclear application specialists are working with OPPD personnel to identify additional plant applications where Invensys' advanced technology can be leveraged to further enhance reliability and performance.

About Omaha Public Power District 

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is a fully integrated electric utility, organized in 1946 as a political subdivision of the state of Nebraska. OPPD serves a 5,000-square-mile, 13-county region in Eastern Nebraska. The corporate headquarters is located in Omaha, Nebraska, with generating plants, service centers, and customer service locations strategically located throughout the service territory. For more information, visit www.oppd.com.

The Invensys Group (www.invensys.com) is headquartered in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With 35,000 employees operating in 60 countries, Invensys helps customers to improve their performance and profitability, building value for end users and shareholders alike.