Invensys is one of the largest automation suppliers in the world with annual sales last year in excess of 5 billion dollars. Automation is our primary business and each year we invest heavily in maintaining and enhancing our products. Currently, we are the only vendor providing automation systems to the nuclear market that owns the control platform that will be provided. This assures that the nuclear asset owner can enjoy quality support of his safety, control and plant computer systems for the life of the plant. Ownership of the platform has allows Invensys to develop new modules and software packages specifically targeted to the nuclear plant needs.
The systems offered are based on commercial off the self hardware and are sold to a wide variety of industrial markets, including power, pulp and paper, chemical, oil and gas production, and refining. Currently, Invensys has more than two thousand Foxboro I/A and Triconex controls systems installed in North America; some three hundred of these are in power plants, with thirty-five systems in nuclear plants.
Nuclear Power customers are assured a continuously current solution with compatibility of software and hardware both now and in the future. Invensys' Nuclear experience spans almost 50 years and is evident at the majority of nuclear sites in the United States and many around the world.
We have a history and future commitment to support our systems that can't be matched in the industry. Our analog Spec 200 system was originally introduced in 1972 and nuclear qualified in 1977. This product has been sold to more than 130 nuclear power plants and more than 50,000 qualified modules have been shipped to nuclear facilities. This product is still manufactured, fully supported and offered at a reasonable cost.
The I/A Series System was introduced in 1987 and was the world's first open industrial system. By using industry standards we have been successful in continually evolving the system hardware and software functionality, while at the same time protecting our customer's investment in the applications and wiring.
The TRICON Triple Modular Redundant PLC is the most recent addition to the Invensys nuclear product line. This commercial off-the-shelf ESD system was qualified and accepted by the USNRC in 2002 for 1E applications. This platform can be tightly coupled with the I/A system to yield the nuclear industry's first truly advanced Integrated Safety, Control and Data Acquisition system available from a single supplier.
As part of a complete solution for nuclear control system upgrades, Invensys offers simulation/stimulation products and solutions from SimSci-Esscor that compliment our control products, simplifying the integration of new controls into an existing nuclear power plant. This includes the ability to drive (stimulate) test, verify, and validate the actual control algorithms. Our solution utilizes a standard family of software products used in all the industries Invensys serves, to provide a scaleable solution suitable for initial installations and incrementally expandable as additional plant control systems are upgraded.
Invensys Nuclear integrates the industry experience and expertise of Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor and Validation Technologies. Invensys Nuclear has put in place a complete offering to the Nuclear Industry for both new and refurbishment projects. Invensys Nuclear has won wide acceptance on projects covering the gamut of retrofit applications at nuclear sites. Several utilities have formed long-term relationships with Invensys Nuclear to manage the challenges of modernizing their nuclear fleet. Finally, Invensys Nuclear has been awarded orders to provide solutions to "Grassroots" Nuclear projects. This magnitude of awards and successful projects recognizes Invensys Nuclear for superior value delivery to this challenging environment.
The Project Engineering Group with locations in Foxboro, MA; Irvine, CA and Webster, TX is comprised of approximately 150 engineers and technicians familiar with the expectations of the power utility customer.
Summary
The nuclear industry is a close-knit community; one in which performance and integrity are crucial. Upon request we will provide Project Experience References for past and recent installations. We invite you to contact our customers and discuss our commitment to them and to the industry.