BKW and PSI agree on partnership for safety analysis services

BKW’s Engineering Division and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) joined forces to provide risk and safety analysis services in the nuclear sector. Between them, the two institutions have a perfect blend of skills: BKW has extensive expertise in implementing the latest technology for safe plant operation and decommissioning, while PSI conducts cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of science and technology. By combining their expertise, the two companies are able to solve highly complex problems in the field of nuclear safety. The range of joint services is aimed at customers from the power plant sector and supply industry, as well as public and state institutions. The collaboration will focus exclusively on the international (non-Swiss) market.

The partnership will benefit from BKW’s knowledge of how to operate power plants and infrastructure facilities in a safe, reliable and efficient way. With more than 40 years of experience in the nuclear industry, BKW has the necessary expertise to incorporate the latest technology in its plants. It verifies the safety of its plants by conducting probabilistic and deterministic safety analyses (e.g. for potential plant incidents) and by quantifying the risk of events such as earthquakes and floods. It recommends specific measures on the basis of precise knowledge how the technical systems and the actions of personnel influence upon the plant behaviour. As an operator, BKW can offer its customers comprehensive and efficient support in safely operating their nuclear plants. This ranges from determining the current state of the plants through to upgrading and expanding them.

The internationally renowned PSI research centre will contribute the extensive knowledge of its globally connected experts in nuclear energy research. PSI conducts both analytical and experimental research work and develops new solutions, aiming to fully understand and prevent potential incidents in existing and future nuclear power plants and to control them to the greatest extent possible. The research results generated by PSI will flow directly into the services provided to ensure they reflect the cutting edge in science and technology.

The partnership will allow the strengths of PSI (technology development) to be combined with those of BKW (practical implementation), giving rise to a broad range of services to assure safety of nuclear power plants. The partnership between BKW and PSI is aimed at customers in the power plant sector and supply industry, as well as public and state institutions that operate in growing international markets.