Nuclear power – and the infrastructure that supports it – is the pinnacle of complex and critical systems. That’s why it is an important sector for Proeon Systems, and the cornerstone of our business.
Not only does the nuclear sector align with our broad experience and quality management systems, but we have also invested significantly in staff training and qualifications to aid our nuclear-focused clients – something that will only continue as we further expand our offering within this sector.
Beyond the opportunities it offers the business, nuclear power is a national contributor to low-carbon energy consumption and will support the UK in reaching its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It will also assist in supplementing the need for energy to be purchased from other European sources, enabling the UK to become more self-sufficient in terms of energy generation and gas dependency.
Proeon is actively involved in supporting the existing nuclear power fleet, and pursuing opportunities with the region’s proposed newest nuclear facility Sizewell C, to assist in ensuring the seamless operation of all assets are maintained.

But it’s not all shiny and new. When it comes to legacy or obsolete equipment, Proeon helps maintain hardware and software that can interface with older industrial equipment, supporting it through operations, and can even provide an upgrade pathway for improvement.
Proeon is equally adept at designing, building and installing new certified equipment and software across a broad range of disciplines focused on the nuclear sector.
These include general control systems to provide robustness against asset failure with redundancy, motion control systems; such as cranes and automated systems which can help with the safe handling of nuclear waste, and the control of remote-operated equipment.
Proeon has recently specialised in CCTV and telecoms – offering rugged and robust systems for plant-wide observation and communication in hazardous environments. This includes fire and gas monitoring, and hazardous area located controls. These systems prevent exposure to toxic and explosive gasses, and subsequent fire, plus the containment of explosions to meet ATEX and other industry standards. Proeon’s specialist owned IP for gas turbine controls means we are able to facilitate regulation of auxiliary power and pumping systems to maintain safe operations.
A further area of specialism is sub-aquatic systems; utilising skills and knowledge of harsh offshore subsea environments to develop unique instrumentation and control solutions for underwater applications, where extreme seismic activity, temperature and pressures would affect normal systems.
These specialisms are backed up and delivered though Proeon’s integrated business management systems and a number of industry accreditations and standards – including ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, together with ISO/IEC 27001 and the AMRC Fit for Nuclear (F4N) programme. The F4N programme included benchmarking our existing business management systems, experience and operations against the specific requirements of the nuclear sector – demonstrating the robustness of the existing systems while also developing and understanding the uniqueness of the sector.
Over the past few years, Proeon has completed several confidential projects on nuclear sites, with clients valuing the security, integrity and professionalism the team can offer.
Recently, Proeon was asked to develop a replacement crane control and drive system for an application on a nuclear power facility in the UK. The crane system was over 20 years old, and whilst much of the mechanical side of the crane was regularly serviced and maintained to a high standard, the main issues were due to the obsolescence of the drives and the control systems.
Working in a nuclear facility on a critical system presents issues, not least the level of standards and procedures that are required. Proeon often works where control and automation are critical and complex – and this project was a prime example of this.
The client wished to remove the obsolescence of the old system by updating the crane system and benefit from enhanced functionality whilst ensuring the same or better level of safety and control was maintained. The replaced control package was based on a Siemens integrated solution and connected to a newly installed servo drive system.
Within the control room, a new HMI was developed to provide the operator a clear view of the crane system, including a mimic of the crane location and functionality of the crane, all verifiable by the new CCTV systems.
The entire package of control hardware, software and drives were engineered, procured, integrated and subjected to factory acceptance testing (FAT) at our premises prior to being installed at site by our dedicated site installation team, comprising of multidisciplined engineers and technicians. The installation was further strenuously tested as a complete system during a site integrated test before being handed over to the client.
Working closely with the client, Proeon was able to understand all of the implications of this high-profile project and with no margin for error, was successful in ensuring a safe and continued operation of this crane upgrade. Proeon provided a full turnkey project that will be supportable for the next 20 years.
Proeon’s agility means it can respond quickly when a client specification changes, solving and offering appropriately robust and cost-effective solutions.
We look forward to developing relationships with new and existing operators in the nuclear sector, accelerating our growth and establishing ourselves as the go-to supplier of control systems and control integration on nuclear facilities.
With continued investment in our people – through professional development and apprenticeship programmes – and being at the cutting-edge of technology, we see Proeon based in the East of England, sitting at the forefront of the UK’s nuclear ambitions for next 100 years, and beyond.
To enquire about the specialist products and services that Proeon offers within the nuclear sector, email proeon@proeon.co.uk, call 01953 859 110, or visit www.proeon.co.uk/nuclear-energy