Slovakia has established itself as a significant player in the nuclear energy sector, primarily due to its nuclear capacities and a strategy focused on sustainability and energy security. Moreover, Slovakia’s commitment to nuclear energy is also evident in its strategic partnerships and collaborations with international organisations, including CERN.
PPA ENERGO, the largest member of the PPA CONTROLL group, specialises in delivering comprehensive solutions in automated control systems, field instrumentation and electrical systems. Our services encompass every stage of the project, ensuring seamless integration and performance across the entire lifecycle. This includes engineering, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning, service and maintenance, and, of course, the manufacturing of LV panels. Our extensive experience in manufacturing low-voltage panels, including their qualification for seismic resistance, EMC, vibration, aging, magnetic field resistance and more, combined with our deep expertise in the nuclear industry, has paved the way for prestigious opportunities, such as collaboration with CERN.
PPA ENERGO has demonstrated its ability to apply extensive expertise and experience in the execution of complex infrastructure projects to support CERN’s initiatives. With a wealth of experience in significant nuclear power plant construction projects, such as Mochovce Units 3 and 4 (Slovakia), Hinkley Point C (UK) and others, we have refined our ability to deliver top-tier solutions in challenging environments. Proven capabilities in managing large-scale, critical projects are expected to bring substantial value to CERN.
From technical design to Switzerland
CERN’s requirement was to design, manufacture and test the control and power distribution cabinets for the ATLAS and CMS 2PACL CO2 detector cooling systems. The cooling modules will circulate liquid CO2 through evaporators specifically designed in the detectors in a “two-phase pumped loop scheme”. Each cooling module will be equipped with a dedicated diaphragm pump for liquid CO2. Our control and power distribution cabinets will be part of this cooling system. After the successful qualification of our distribution panels approved by CERN, the first series was successfully delivered to Switzerland. Based on the positive feedback and personal visits of CERN’s technical team to our production hall, we were then commissioned to manufacture the second batch of distribution panels.
As Michal Cunik (pictured with the distribution panels prepared for transport to CERN), the designer responsible for the production of the cabinets, stated: “The major challenge was that we also had to prepare detailed 3D models, a digital twin of the panel to ensure precise replication and future facility maintenance and upgrades.” At this stage, intensive production of the distribution panels is underway, with planned completion in December 2025.
The successful delivery and ongoing production of the distribution panels has elevated our collaboration with CERN to the highest level.
