An excellent new article in the ANS Nuclear Newswire documents several recent efforts to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to retain key operating data and reduce costs at nuclear power plants (NPPs). According to this article, organizations able to quantify the gains from leveraging their data have reported an average eight percent increase in revenues and a 10 percent reduction in costs.
AI can be used in a range of nuclear plant operations, from predicting component lifetimes and evaluating asset health to understanding core dynamics for more accurate reload planning and economical fuel purchasing.
The article profiles efforts by Blue Wave AI Labs and Constellation using AI predictability models to improve cycle management strategy across its fleet of 14 boiling water reactors at eight generating stations.
Constellation’s successful work with AI was a key reason it was selected to be one of the Modernization Technology Assessments (MTA) in EPRI’s Plant Modernization Toolbox.
EPRI developed the toolbox in 2020 to be an ever-evolving resource that is updated to reflect new research and best practices to facilitate decision making and execution of modernization efforts at NPPs. The toolbox includes a variety of efforts to assist NPPs to identify and evaluate cost savings from technology and process improvements.
As I outlined in a previous article, the toolbox can assist utilities through dozens of potential modernization improvements, such as digital controls, wireless connectivity, continuous equipment monitoring, and data analytics that provide actionable insights on operations and maintenance.
The toolbox’s series of MTAs, including the AI technology discussed in the ANS article, provide a brief description of a specific improvement, its potential investment costs, and the potential savings it may deliver over time. The costs and savings are ballpark figures; actual figures will vary based on each plant’s unique attributes and circumstances.
For plant operators who want to learn more, MTAs include contact information for EPRI experts who can provide information about the relevant vendors and manufacturers, as well as about the plants that have deployed the technology. The toolbox also includes EPRI’s overall Modernization Strategy development process and business case tools with examples.
To learn more, contact EPRI Senior Program Manager Robert Austin or visit the EPRI Plant Modernization webpage.