ECOS: a configurable multi-terabyte database supporting engineering and technical computing on the Sizewell `B´ nuclear power station

The Sizewell `B´ PWR nuclear power station has three computing support systems: the process control, data and alarm display system; the management and administration system; and the engineering and technical support system (ECOS). In most industrial plants, only the process control and alarm handling systems support high pressure, time-critical activity. In some plants-those which must respond flexibly to market conditions-the management and administration systems must also offer such support. However, the author shows that in the complex technical environment of a nuclear power station, the engineering and technical system too is crucial, and must be designed as a component of an information-decision-action system (IDAS). The author therefore describes the role of ECOS in supporting high-pressure time-critical activities on Sizewell `B´, and explains the features of its design which enable it to fulfil this role