Why EDF Chose PIPESTRESS to Support France’s Nuclear Infrastructure
With 56 reactors in operation and more in development, EDF oversees one of the world’s largest nuclear fleets.
The technical demands that come with operating and expanding such a fleet are considerable. To meet them, EDF’s Division of Plant and Environmental Engineering (DIPDE) employs 2,500 engineers tasked with maintaining and improving critical systems, including piping infrastructure, across the company’s nuclear assets.
Optimizing the Design and Security of a Critical Component of Nuclear Power Plants
To ensure the safety and efficiency of its installations, EDF relies on PIPESTRESS, a solution that supports both compliance and performance. “Today, within the Plant and Environmental Engineering Division, we use 150 PIPESTRESS licenses shared between our employees and partners. The tool is used to verify the integrity of our piping systems in compliance with nuclear calculation codes and standards,” says Nabil Skandre, Calculations Team Lead.
The software is not only used on operating reactors. It is also central to high-profile construction projects such as Flamanville 3, Jaitapur and Hinkley Point C. These projects introduce significant technical complexity. A project like Hinkley Point C, where EDF is building two EPR reactors, involves “150 km of piping, 2000 calculations [and] 300 sensitive calculations,” notes Léonard Antoinat, Head of the Calculations and Piping Group within Edvance (a subsidiary of EDF) and Framatome.
A Partnership that Delivers Measurable Performance Gains
This level of use requires confidence in both the product and the team behind it. Before deploying PIPESTRESS, EDF and the French Nuclear Safety Authority subjected it to a full audit.
Over time, EDF and Hexagon have built a close working relationship. That collaboration has enabled EDF to shape the tool’s development in ways that suit its evolving technical and regulatory needs. “We are very satisfied with PIPESTRESS and its updates, which allow piping guidelines and reference documents to evolve and address the latest changes in codes and standards,” says Céline Gaudin, Piping Specifications Supervisor.
Beyond compliance, the software has contributed directly to measurable performance gains. EDF has introduced internal methodologies such as Sigma+ to improve efficiency in piping and support design. “This helps us generate mechanical margins and, as a result, produce economic gains amounting to tens of millions of euros,” Gaudin explains. These savings come from reducing rework, avoiding oversized support structures and limiting unnecessary surveys.
Lasting and Collaborative Relationship, Based on Common Expertise
Hexagon’s responsiveness also matters. Sophien Haddad-Verbeck, Lead Engineer at EDF’s National Center for the Production of Electricity, states: “The technical support is highly responsive, which is also a deciding factor when choosing a software solution. When we have a question, it’s not rare for us to get answers within a span of minutes to a few hours.”
This responsiveness extends to more complex collaborations. For example, EDF worked with Hexagon to address technical challenges related to seismic displacement and stationary waves in tunnels. The outcome improved methodology and significantly reduced calculation time.
PIPESTRESS is now embedded in EDF’s wider digital transformation efforts. Calculations from the software are integrated into EDF’s Digital Reactor initiative, which aims to link data models across systems, partners and assets. The shared use of the tool across internal teams and subcontractors simplifies coordination.
In a high-stakes sector where reliability is non-negotiable, EDF’s continued investment in PIPESTRESS reflects both confidence in the software and trust in its supplier. The combination of technical rigour, responsive support and measurable results positions the solution as a key asset in EDF’s operations today and in future nuclear development.