In a move that supports Bruce Power's vision of providing reliable electricity to Ontario until 2064, Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding to be Bruce Power's digital partner.
This new agreement expands the two companies' current T-104 program, which has exceeded its value delivery targets since starting in 2017. Rolls-Royce and Bruce Power will now collaborate more deeply to blend their skills and use leading industrial technologies to improve the reliability and cost effectiveness of maintenance at Bruce Power's eight Ontario units.
Andy Collyer, Executive Vice President of Rolls-Royce Canada's Ontario-based nuclear business, said: "Our vision is to bring our international expertise to Port Elgin to collaborate with Bruce Power so it can generate more power for longer. This connects with Mike Rencheck's passion for the sustainable future of Bruce Power and its community, as demonstrated by his announcement of the Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute (ONII)."
Frank Saunders, Bruce Power's executive lead for the ONII, said: "Bruce Power is pursuing technology innovation as an opportunity to drive ongoing efficiency improvements in our business and to advance new capabilities in areas of public interest such as human health, waste minimization and environmental protection. We are thrilled that Rolls-Royce will join with us in this effort and look forward to an effective and rewarding collaboration."
Rolls-Royce technology finds new ways to improve the availability and efficiency of nuclear power stations, for example by identifying potential equipment failures before they occur.
The Rolls-Royce team draws on its specialist R2 Data Labs business unit, experts that have boosted value to their customers of jet engine and power systems using advanced data analytics, industrial artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. It develops data applications that unlock design, manufacturing and operational efficiencies, and creates new service propositions for customers and partners.
Andy Collyer said: "Our technology gathers huge amounts of data created during the day-to-day operations of a nuclear power plant. When we then analyse that using data science, it gives us an incredibly clear picture of where new improvements can be found. For power station operators, the resulting picture of their operations is the equivalent of upgrading a TV from standard definition to 4K – you see every detail of what's going on.
"Together with Bruce Power, we've achieved a lot already but this is only the tip of the iceberg. We're really excited that this new agreement is going to take our collaboration to a new level."
Rolls-Royce has also agreed to be a charter partner to Bruce Power's recently announced Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute, leading on its artificial intelligence hub to build new skills in this developing area of advanced data science.
Announced by chief executive officer, Mike Rencheck on 16th May, the ONII will be a cornerstone of Bruce County's socio-economic future, harnessing Bruce Power's supply chain to help Ontario's families and businesses create opportunities to remain competitive and prosper in the wider economy.
Andy Collyer said: "Our hope is that we can go further with the sustainability of the region by giving artificial intelligence the profile it needs within the ONII so that the people of Bruce County can be at the cutting edge of this technology as it hits the industrial mainstream in the next few years."
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting-edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to meet our planet's vital power needs.
Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, 4,000 marine customers including 70 navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers.
Annual underlying revenue was £15 billion in 2017, around half of which came from the provision of aftermarket services. The firm and announced order book stood at £78.5 billion at the end of December 2017.
In 2017, Rolls-Royce invested £1.4 billion on research and development. We also support a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, which position Rolls-Royce engineers at the forefront of scientific research.
Rolls-Royce employs 50,000 people in 50 countries. More than 18,200 of these are engineers.
The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment and to further developing employee skills. In 2017 we recruited 313 graduates and 339 apprentices through our worldwide training programmes.
R2 Data Labs
Data Labs, partners with Tata Consultancy Services and Microsoft, two globally-recognised digital service providers. The Rolls-Royce Start-up ecosystem includes The Alan Turing Institute, IoT Tribe North, Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator and Startupbootcamp.
For more information on R2 Data Labs, the data innovation arm of Rolls-Royce: http://www.rolls-royce.com/R2DataLabs.aspx
Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute
The key focus areas of the Institute will include:
- Artificial intelligence and cyber security
- Medical and industrial isotopes
- Health and environmental excellence in the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay areas
- Indigenous economic development
- Nuclear sector, operational excellence
The initial location being considered for the Institute is adjacent to the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre. A local dialogue through the project development phase with neighbours and the community will occur around this, or potentially other, options within Southampton.
A new Oversight Committee for Ontario's Nuclear Innovation Institute is also being established and will be chaired by Frank Saunders, Bruce Power's Vice President, Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs, who previously has served as the Director of Nuclear Operations for McMaster University. This group will solicit expertise from key partners and domestic and international organizations to guide the formation of the Institute and work closely with a team between Bruce Power and the County of Bruce, which has been jointly established to guide the development phase of the project.
An upcoming website will track progress and keep the public informed on the development of Ontario's Nuclear Innovation Institute.