Babcock & Wilcox recently tapped GSE Systems to develop a simulator for B&W’s mPower small modular reactor design.
The real-time, high-fidelity simulator will be used to validate plant systems, as well as to assist with design challenges that include human factors engineering and control and logic strategies, according to a GSE release.
“This agreement with B&W solidifies GSE’s position as the industry leader in providing high-fidelity engineering simulation for first-of-a-kind reactor designs. Our flexible platform helps mitigate risk by allowing customers to verify and validate systems and processes at the design stage, when changes can be made more easily and cost effectively than during plant construction. GSE and B&W will work together beyond this initial phase to expand the scope of the simulator and synchronize throughout the design process,” GSE’s CEO Jim Eberle said in the release. The company did not provide the value of the contract.
The firm, based near Baltimore, Md., assists energy-industry customers in more than 50 countries with their simulation and training needs.
The mPower reactor is envisioned as a scalable SMR that significantly cuts down on costs and build time. It will be designed to go 4.5 years between refuelings and to produce between 125 and 750 megawatts electric. It also incorporates passive safety features and below-ground containment.