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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.
Our company has a 130-year history of innovation that began when our founder, George Westinghouse, commercialized the alternating current and forever changed the way electricity was distributed. More than 60 years later, 430 nuclear reactors operate around the world using Westinghouse technology.
From the efficient and economical AP1000® and AP300® nuclear plants to the new eVinci™ microreactor for remote energy applications, we are leading the way with the development of new nuclear technologies that will enable us to share the benefits of this reliable, clean, safe and economical source of energy for generations to come.
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/energy-systems/evinci-microreactor/
