This project consisted of analyses and engineering evaluations of the aging effects of essential electrical equipment at the Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station. Consequently, the project developed an improved approach toward aging management which is reliable, conservative, cost-effective, and user-friendly for future aging review updates. Over an 18-month period, the project analyzed and evaluated approximately 1,200 pieces of equipment involving 87 manufacturer model types. This project was innovative in its use of technical option analysis to:

• define raw data use
• adapt standard spreadsheet software for use in complex analysis
• develop a consistent, analytical approach for all 87 manufacturer types (from literally a plethora of previous approaches and attempted approaches)
• generate a logical as well as user-friendly report presentation approach which greatly facilitates future aging management

The original estimated cost of the project was $282,000 but was completed approximately 15% under budget in spite of several minor scope additions and unexpected difficulties. The result of the project was a short- and long-term cost savings estimated to be $5,000,000 for the owner in terms of reducing unnecessary equipment replacement, more accurately predicting equipment life, and in reducing the need for future engineering analysis.

This project was nominated for an MSPE Private Practice Award in 1994.