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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.
Nuclear Plant Instrumentation and Control & Human-Machine Interface Technology (NPIC&HMIT 2025)
Technical Session
Wednesday, June 18, 2025|1:00–2:45PM CDT|Chicago Ballroom H
Session Chair:
Syed Bahauddin Alam
Alternate Chair:
Jamie Coble
Session Organizer:
Vivek Agarwal
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Industry Survey: Barriers for Adoption of Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems for Advanced Reactor Deployment and Retrofit of Existing Reactors
1:00–1:20PM CDT
Edward Chen (INL), Tate Shorthill (INL), Edward Quinn (Paragon Energy Solutions)
Paper
Development of an Update to ISA S67.04 and RP 67.04: "Setpoints for Nuclear Safety-Related Instrumentation for Nuclear Power Plants
1:20–1:40PM CDT
Edward L. Quinn (Paragon Energy Solutions), Ryan Hoover (Westinghouse Electric Co.), Ron Jarrett (Paragon Energy Solutions), David Rahn (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Evaluating IEC 62671: Implications for Safety Justification of Embedded Digital Devices in I&C Systems
1:40–2:00PM CDT
Sofia Guerra (Themistoclea), Luke Hinde (Adelard, Part of NCC Group), Ben Phillips (Adelard, Part of NCC Group)
Nuclear Energy Agency's Consensus Position on the Common Cause Failure in Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems – Evaluation Framework
2:00–2:20PM CDT
Ismael L. Garcia (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)
Presented by Samir Darbali (NRC)
The IEC Standard Series on Cybersecurity for I&C and Electrical Systems in Nuclear Power Plants
2:20–2:40PM CDT
Tighe Smith (Paragon Energy Solutions), Edward L. Quinn (Paragon Energy Solutions), Ludovic Pietre-Cambacedes (EDF), Thomas Walter (Preussen Elektra), Juergen Bochtler (Siemens Energy), Michael T. Rowland (Sandia)
