The I/O system is responsible for relaying operator actions to the simulation computer and for providing operators with visual cues (indications and alarms) to operate the plant.

The project is part of FPL’s strategy to modernize the simulator and address obsolescence issues with the original components of the simulator delivered 30 years ago. The project is underway and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.

"The I/O system replacement is an important component of our strategy to ensure that the simulator’s reliability and maintainability remain at the highest levels in support of the long-term operation of the St. Lucie Plant," said Michael Baughman, training manager of FPL’s St. Lucie Plant. "L-3 MAPPS’ Orchid® Input Output technology and the company’s past project performance are good indicators that we will achieve the desired success on the I/O replacement project."

"Since L-3 MAPPS introduced compact I/O systems more than five years ago, we have continued to experience high customer satisfaction levels with our approach," said Michael Chatlani, vice president of marketing & sales for L-3 MAPPS Power Systems and Simulation. "We look forward to providing another compact I/O system solution, this time for FPL, and attaining the same high level of performance."

L-3 MAPPS will deploy Beckhoff Automation’s compact I/O components with the versatile Orchid Input Output software for both the St. Lucie Unit 2 full scope simulator’s main I/O system and its RM-23 radiation monitoring I/O system.

L-3 MAPPS has successfully deployed similar compact I/O systems on the Diablo Canyon (USA), Embalse (Argentina), Koeberg (South Africa) and McGuire (USA) full scope simulators. The same technology is also currently being implemented on the Daya Bay (China) and Tihange 1 (Belgium) full scope simulators.

For the St. Lucie project, L-3 MAPPS will design passive adapter cards that will fit into the legacy I/O chassis, allowing for a clean and simple interface with the new I/O system and eliminating the need to rewire the control room panel instruments. This will greatly reduce the simulator outage time required.

L-3 MAPPS’ compact, modular I/O solution is cost-effective, non-proprietary, reliable and widely available from numerous distributors that have a large user base worldwide.

L-3 MAPPS’ Orchid Input Output software handles the engineering to electrical unit conversions and the exchange of data between the simulation computer(s) and the I/O system controllers. Orchid Input Output includes a user-friendly GUI that allows end users to easily configure, maintain and troubleshoot the entire I/O system.

Florida Power & Light Company, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.6 million customers in Florida.

The St. Lucie Plant is located on Hutchinson Island, midway between Fort Pierce and Stuart. The plant is made up of two Combustion Engineering pressurized water reactors with a net electrical output of approximately 2,000 MWe.