UniStar and Accenture to Develop Nuclear Fleet Enterprise Architecture

“Galaxy” can support data needs for UniStar’s new nuclear plants for 60-plus years

BALTIMORE. – UniStar Nuclear Energy (UNE) announced today that it is partnering with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to develop an advanced information technology (IT) platform capable of supporting the lifelong data needs of a potential new fleet of nuclear power plants.

UNE is a strategic joint venture between Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) and EDF Group, Europe’s largest electric energy producer. UNE has proposed building at least four 1,600 megawatt U.S. Evolutionary Power Reactors (U.S. EPR), an advanced design known for its robust safety features. Accenture, a leading consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, will jointly design, build and operate the new IT platform, named “Galaxy,” with UNE.

UNE and Accenture believe Galaxy will transform how future nuclear power plants create, modify, share and store information during all phases of their 60-year plus lifecycle, from licensing to decommissioning. In addition, Galaxy will enable nuclear plant partners, suppliers and customers to more efficiently meet and accelerate project work schedules and budgets while improving performance through cycle time reductions.

“Galaxy will be a valuable tool—and a required asset—that will help future nuclear plants operate more efficiently,” said George Vanderheyden, UNE president and chief executive officer. “It will speed the flow of information that nuclear plant owners need during plant, licensing, design, construction, operation and maintenance.”

He added that in order for new nuclear to be successful, worldwide equipment vendors and U.S. EPR owners must be able to share information 24/7.

“Our partnership with UNE demonstrates Accenture’s commitment to the nuclear power industry,” added Daniel P. Krueger, managing director of Accenture’s Power Generation practice. “Galaxy will help UNE perform at an even higher level by mitigating risks related to new plant cost, schedule and operation. Supporting nuclear plant licensing, design, construction and operations reinforces Accenture’s position at the heart of the power generation industry.”

Galaxy, which will be delivered in phases over the next several years, will enable nuclear plants to better track and store important data, such as a complete inventory of all plant equipment, warranties on plant systems and a history of all plant modifications. The initial phase of Galaxy will be delivered in the coming months and will be focused on the design of the U.S. EPR.

UNE is working to be in a position to make a decision in late 2008 regarding its first potential U.S. EPR, which is proposed for Constellation Energy’s Calvert Cliffs site in southern Maryland. UNE is also considering potential projects in New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Texas. Two EPRs are under construction in Europe and the reactor design was sanctioned by two different nuclear regulatory commissions. China is also planning to build two EPRs.