Modeling physical security can help lower costs for nuclear power plants

August 19, 2024, 7:00AMNuclear NewsCory Hatch
The MASS-DEF framework with prevention actions and timelines modeled in EMRALD software interacting with force-on-force (FoF) simulation and thermal hydraulics models. The risk-informed modeling in the MASS-DEF framework integrates physical security effectiveness analysis with safety measures, such as time to core damage. (Graphic: INL)

Today’s nuclear power plants are the nation’s largest source of carbon-free energy, but they come with high operating and maintenance costs.

Competition from other sources, especially natural gas, coupled with low electricity prices, has resulted in the closure of some plants in the last decade due to economic reasons.

One way to alleviate these economic pressures is to reduce the cost of operating nuclear power plants, including the costs associated with physical security.

To continue reading, log in or create a free account!

Related Articles

Mark Peters: Building on a strong foundation

July 10, 2026, 3:09PMNuclear NewsLucas Geiger

Summer at the American Nuclear Society carries with it a sense of renewed momentum as the incoming president takes office and starts making plans for the year ahead. This has been particularly...

ICYMI: Counting up INL’s reactors

July 10, 2026, 7:10AMNuclear News

Over the past two weeks, in the “Trivia Tuesday” and “Throwback Thursday” sections of Nuclear News Daily, we have dug into the story of Idaho National Laboratory’s official list of...

DOME: Legacy built, future ready

June 26, 2026, 2:59PMNuclear News

In 2019, a familiar landmark at Idaho National Laboratory was scheduled for demolition. Though striking for both its physical presence and its significance to nuclear history, the containment...