BALTIMORE, April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- UniStar Nuclear Energy (UNE) announced today that it is partnering with Accenture to develop an advanced information technology (IT) platform capable of supporting the lifelong data needs of a potential new fleet of nuclear power plants.
UNE is a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy and EDF Group, Europe's largest electric energy producer. UNE has proposed building at least four 1,600 megawatt U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactors (U.S. EPR), an advanced design known for its robust safety features. Accenture, a leading consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, will jointly design, build and operate the new IT platform, named "Galaxy," with UNE.
UNE and Accenture believe Galaxy will transform how future nuclear power plants create, modify, share and store information during all phases of their 60-year plus lifecycle, from licensing to decommissioning. In addition, Galaxy will enable nuclear plant partners, suppliers and customers to more efficiently meet and accelerate project work schedules and budgets while improving performance through cycle time reductions.
"Galaxy will be a valuable tool -- and a required asset -- that will help future nuclear plants operate more efficiently," said George Vanderheyden, UNE president and chief executive officer. "It will speed the flow of information that nuclear plant owners need during plant, licensing, design, construction, operation and maintenance."
He added that in order for new nuclear to be successful, worldwide equipment venders and U.S. EPR owners must be able to share information 24/7.
"Our partnership with UNE demonstrates Accenture's commitment to the nuclear power industry," added Daniel P. Krueger, managing director of Accenture's Power Generation practice. "Galaxy will help UNE perform at an even higher level by mitigating risks related to new plant cost, schedule and operation. Supporting nuclear plant licensing, design, construction and operations reinforces Accenture's position at the heart of the power generation industry."
Galaxy, which will be delivered in phases over the next several years, will enable nuclear plants to better track and store important data, such as a complete inventory of all plant equipment, warranties on plant systems and a history of all plant modifications. The initial phase of Galaxy will be delivered in the coming months and will be focused on the design of the U.S. EPR.
UNE is working to be in a position to make a decision in late 2008 regarding its first potential U.S. EPR, which is proposed for Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs site in southern Maryland. UNE is also considering potential projects in New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Texas. Two EPRs are under construction in Europe and the reactor design was sanctioned by two different nuclear regulatory commissions. China is also planning to build two EPRs.
About UNE
UNE is a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy, the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers, and EDF Group, Europe's the top electricity producer. UNE is partnering with AREVA, the leading nuclear vendor in America, to build at least four standardized U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactors (EPR). The EPR is the safest, most secure nuclear plant technology and is the foundation of the UNE business model.
UNE and EDF are powering the nuclear renaissance in North America through industry leadership, disciplined business practices and effective risk-management. Based in Baltimore, UNE provides the licensing, construction and operating services needed to support the expansion of clean, safe and sustainable U.S. nuclear energy.
About Constellation
Constellation Energy (http://www.constellation.com/), a FORTUNE 125 company with 2007 revenues of $21 billion, is the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of 78 generating units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 8,700 megawatts of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland.
About EDF Group
An energy market leader in Europe, the EDF Group is an integrated energy company operating in all branches of the industry: generation, transmission, distribution, and the trading and sale of energy. The top electricity producer in Europe, the Group has predominantly nuclear and hydroelectric power plants in France, supplying electricity that is 95 percent CO2-free. Its transmission and distribution subsidiaries operate 1,246,000 km of medium and low voltage overhead and underground electricity lines and around 100,000 km of high and very high voltage networks. The Group is involved in the supply of energy and services to over 38 million customers worldwide with more than 28 million of them in France. The Group's consolidated sales stood at euros 58.9 Billion in 2006 of which 42 percent was in Europe excluding France. EDF, which is listed on the Paris Bourse, is a member of the CAC 40 index.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world's most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With 178,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007. Its home page is http://www.accenture.com/.
