New nuclear plant technology will rely heavily, if not exclusively, on digital equipment. Obsolescence of digital I&C equipment is an inevitable part of plant technology life cycle for new and existing plants. Developing an overall strategic plan can mitigate some of the risks associated with obsolescence. Moreover, when developed as part of an overall lifecycle management plan (LCMP), a strategic obsolescence management approach can identify steps that can be taken at early stages of the technology life cycle to cope proactively with the obsolescence of equipment. Recent work within the Advanced Nuclear Technology (ANT) program at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has developed guidance and methodologies for determining when digital obsolescence is likely to occur, the extent to which it can occur, the risks and impacts due to obsolescence, and strategies that can be used to minimize its effects, all in the context of system lifecycle management planning (LCMP). Worksheets for assessing obsolescence risks and the applicability and limitations of management strategies were developed as part of this work, and can be used to create or supplement a strategic obsolescence management plan.
