Workers are upgrading and strengthening the framework of the Hanford Site’s local area network to continue supporting the cleanup mission for years to come.
Office of Environmental Management
July 30, 2024
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RICHLAND, Wash. — Workers are upgrading and strengthening the framework of the Hanford Site’s local area network to continue supporting the cleanup mission for years to come.
The Information Management Services team with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) finished upgrading the system this spring.
Workers upgraded network components and added more support to industrial control systems. At Hanford, the systems control and monitor things like water and power infrastructure and emergency services systems.
“The upgrades are important to support the 24/7 tank waste mission at Hanford,” said Mike Eddy, EM Hanford’s deputy chief information officer. “These intelligent and innovative control systems rely on a strong network. We’re always looking for ways our systems can improve reliability, reduce costs and simplify operations.”
Field Support Services team members Mathew Lighthall, left, and Quinn Bragg work on computer network components to increase bandwidth as more industrial control systems come online to support treating waste from large underground tanks.
Hanford Mission Integration Solutions field technicians Bryan Hurt, foreground, and Jesse Van Zoelen ensure all network lines are reconnected after upgrades to Hanford’s computer network.
Workers also use the control systems to demonstrate facilities and systems that support the site’s Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program are ready to operate. The program is a collection of projects and infrastructure improvements that will operate together to vitrify, or immobilize in glass, and dispose of millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from Hanford’s large underground tanks.
“The upgrades give us the capability to continue increasing our network bandwidth,” said Jim Smith, HMIS’ director of Information Technology Infrastructure and Operations. “This is important as the site brings more industrial control systems online to support 24/7 operations to treat waste.”
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