ML23264A025
| ML23264A025 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/20/2023 |
| From: | John Mckirgan NRC/RES/DE |
| To: | |
| Jason Tokey 301-287-0982 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML23264A025 (12) | |
Text
Research Activities in Support of Digital Engineering in Nuclear Technology John McKirgan, Deputy Director Division of Engineering Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research US Nuclear Regulatory Commission September 20, 2023
NRC IS PREPARING FOR AN INCREASE IN NEW AND ADVANCED REACTOR EVOLVING LANDSCAPE 20+
6+
Current and potential applications by 2027 Potential operating licenses by 2027 Research and Test Reactors Molten Salt Reactors Small Modular and Microreactors High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Reactors 15+ Entities actively engaged in pre-application activities 79 Topical reports and white paper reviews completed for 7 vendors 29 Topical reports and white papers under evaluation from 10 vendors Infrastructure Improvements
Digital Transformation in Nuclear Opportunities Opportunity space is huge with many potential applications Numerous potential benefits including improved efficiency, maintaining (or perhaps even improving) safety, reducing uncertainties, mitigating risk, and enabling enhanced data analytics and advanced monitoring Challenges Digital tools must be validated and verified Enabling technologies carry their own risks which must be addressed Regulatory Considerations NRC has been proactively working to understand the evolving digital technology space to identify technical and regulatory challenges and gaps, gather insights on potential use cases, and develop institutional knowledge NRC must stay focused on the data that has an impact on safety and ensure the models used for safety analyses are adequately validated and verified
Digital Twins
Cybersecurity - Autonomous Control Systems
Safety-Significant I&C Systems in the Digital Age MBSE SAC STPA Assessment
& Evaluation Systems Engineering
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Preparedness Draft Available at ML22175A206 Final available at ML23132A305 Vision and Outcomes Continue to keep pace with technological innovations to ensure the safe and secure use of AI in NRC-regulated activities AI framework and skilled workforce to review and evaluate the use of AI in NRC-regulated activities The AI Strategic consists of five strategic goals Goal 1: Ensure NRC Readiness for Regulatory Decisionmaking Goal 2: Establish an Organizational Framework to Review AI Applications Goal 3: Strengthen and Expand AI Partnerships Goal 4: Cultivate an AI-Proficient Workforce Goal 5: Pursue Use Cases to Build an AI Foundation Across the NRC Future Activities Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Subcommittee meeting on AI (November 15, 2023)
Regulatory framework applicability assessment of artificial intelligence in nuclear applications (Summer 2023 to Spring 2024)
DIGITAL PLATFORM IN ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION EXAMPLE NRC ACTIVITIES RIC2023 Session: Constructing Our Energy Future:
Opportunities and Challenges for Advanced Reactor Construction Staff detailing at National Reactor Innovation Center, Advanced Construction Technology Initiative, Idaho National Laboratory University Nuclear Leadership Program grants: Lapped connection for accelerated modularized construction, advanced sensors for structural integrity monitoring Study of Civil Structural Challenges for New and Advanced Reactors DIGITAL ENGINEERING IN CIVIL STRUCTURES Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Digital twin technology Sensor network, other monitor devices AI/ML for structural health monitoring Augmented reality (AR) for construction management MOTIVATION & DRIVERS Innovative, economical, and safe construction is critical to realize the perceived momentum of advanced reactors.
Regulatory research can improve understanding and assist with building confidence in advanced construction technologies for their safety implications
9 Advanced Manufacturing Technologies AMT Action Plan Rev 1 Focus areas include:
Laser powder bed fusion (LPBD)
Laser direct energy deposition (L-DED)
Cold spray (CS)
Electron beam welding (EBW)
Power metallurgyhot isostatic pressing (PM-HIP)
Ongoing Activities Participating in Codes and Standards Expanding technical letter report topics, technical assessments, and draft guidelines documents to additional AMTs (e.g., wire-arc directed energy deposition)
Performing additional assessments related to nondestructive examination (NDE), data & modeling for qualification, and implications of AMTs on materials performance Knowledge management activities such as planning additional public workshops (NDE-specific and broad topical) 2023 Workshop on Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AMTs) for Nuclear Applications -October 24-26, 202 https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/power/amts.html
Forward Looking Research Supports NRC vision of becoming a modern, risk-informed regulator University Nuclear Leadership ProgramSupports NRCs safety and security mission by awarding university-led research projects relevant to the NRC mission that complement its current research portfolio and help the NRC prepare for upcoming challenges Future Focused Research (FFR) ProgramSupports the identification, prioritization, performance, and monitoring of research activities intended to help the NRC prepare for upcoming challenges that have longer-term ( 3 years) horizons and greater risk opportunities than considered in typical activities Key Attributes for Remote Operation of NPPs Integration of Safety, Security, and Safeguards Nuclear Nano Technology -
Advanced Fuel Applications Licensing Modernization Project
- Operating Reactors Digital Twins -
Regulatory Viability
Summary
- NRC must remain vigilantDigital technologies are entering the nuclear space from both the front and back door
- NRC has been proactively working to understand this evolving technology space to identify technical and regulatory challenges and gaps, gather insights on potential use cases, and develop institutional knowledge
- We are working to ensure we have the staff with the knowledge, skills, and ability to effectively regulate these new technologies
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