Spain’s nuclear industry service firm Tecnatom said it had been contracted to supply a customized simulation system for the Norwegian Institute of Energy Technology (IFE) for training monitoring and operations of multi-unit small modular reactors (SMR).
“Small Modular Reactors (SMR) are considered as a viable technology in the medium term for the decarbonization of energy systems. Their modular design allows mass production that would greatly reduce production costs, while their advanced fuel cycles will enable more efficient use of natural resources, which could supply electricity demand for centuries,” Tecnatom said in a statement.
IFE has already been using a Tecnatom simulation system, one that can be downloaded off of the International Atomic Energy Agency website, developed some years ago for the United Nations organization. This is a free program, available to IAEA members. However, IFE felt it was time for a system that allowed for simulated monitoring, operating, and event-response scenarios that included either one or multiple SMR units.
“Although until now this free simulator had met their needs, IFE decided to have their own simulator not only for validate their Human Factor Engineering (HFE) needs, but also for test the management and training of multi-event sessions of a simulator of up to 12 units,” Tecnatom said.
The scope comprises a reliable and configurable simulator with a variable number of units based on generic SMR designs. This simulator will allow IFE to conduct research associated with the operation and monitoring in a multi-unit control room, with highly automated control systems. In addition, the simulator will also allow the development of studies associated with cybersecurity.
This simulator will allow simulating in real time with “all the phenomenology occurring in each of the selected units, not only in normal operating conditions, but also in abnormal and emergency scenarios, as well as in multi-unit events.” The simulator will communicate with different operation and monitoring interfaces (human-machine interfaces) and will be able to transfer all the necessary variables to new interface systems to test their designs, as well as the response of the operating personnel.