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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
19th International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2025)
Technical Session|Panel|Sponsored by NISD
Tuesday, June 17, 2025|1:00–2:45PM CDT|Purdue/Wisconsin
Session Chair:
Karl N. Fleming
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Nathan R. DeKett
For in-scope structures, systems, and components (SSCs), applications such as the Licensing Modernization Project (NEI 18-04 Rev. 1) and Reliability Integrity Management (ASME BPVC Section XI Division 2) call for setting low-level reliability targets that collectively satisfy various higher-level risk goals and also satisfy considerations related to defense in depth. In a specific plant design application, given • a PRA, • SSC-level reliability targets, • the associated SSC-level capability requirements assumed in the PRA, and • a good understanding of the stressors and processes that degrade the constituent materials of those SSCs, the processes associated with monitoring and non-destructive examination can be formulated so as to show whether SSC-level targets are being satisfied in operation. If they are not being satisfied, satisfaction of the plant-level goals may be threatened. The reliability targets chosen clearly affect not only the safety case, but also the resource implications of the required monitoring and non-destructive examination. The process of setting reliability targets is not yet standard, and panel discussion of that topic is expected to be fruitful.