Joint Projects & Services

The Conexus Joint Projects & Services program creates a collaborative forum where members find solutions to common challenges and innovate approaches to design, operation, maintenance and refurbishment. It also addresses materials-related issues like obsolete parts, spare parts sharing and obsolescence management.

Joint Projects

With management by Conexus and oversight by a committee of project partners, a joint project can be developed to pool funding, resources and technical expertise. Each year, Conexus manages 30 to 50 active projects, with members investing about $30 million into safe and efficient CANDU operations. These investments often lead to substantial cost savings and revenue increases far exceeding the initial investment.

Fuel Channel Life Management (FCLM): A Success Story

The FCLM project extended the operational life of aging reactors, generating revenue increases and enabling efficient refurbishments at Ontario plants.

Its results:

  • Several years of life extension to Bruce Power’s Units 3-4 and 5-8 and Pickering’s B-side units

  • Refurbishment and major component replacements at the Darlington and Bruce Power plants

  • In-progress buy-in discussions with C6 utilities

  • Billions of dollars of additional revenue in continued operations

The Joint Projects Process

Joint projects can be initiated at any time and involve two or more members: Conexus accommodates budget constraints and addresses various issues. 

  • Initiation: Complete a project initiation form on COGonline.org to generate an Expression of Interest for members and notification to suppliers.

  • Activation: Conexus manages the project with a steering committee, handling any changes through a transparent review process and customizing reports for budget planning and scheduling. 

  • Completion: Deliverables are accepted by the committee, with IP rights maintained by Conexus, and any unspent funds are returned to participants.

Services

CANDU Procurement Audit Committee (CANPAC)

Facilitates quality assurance audits for direct suppliers to Conexus utility members.

CANDU Industry Assessment Committee (CANIAC)

Conducts joint audits of sub-suppliers to improve supplier quality and reduce costs.

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CANDU Inspection Qualification Bureau (CIQB)

Reviews and certifies inspection procedures used by ISPs.

Inter-Station Assistance Program

Promotes knowledge exchange and connects operators with spare parts across the fleet.