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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.
Jinzhao Zhang, Adrien Dethioux, Andriy Kovtonyuk, Christophe Schneidesch
Nuclear Technology | Volume 205 | Number 1 | January-February 2019 | Pages 140-152
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2018.1516055
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency PREMIUM [Post-BEMUSE (Best-Estimate Methods Uncertainty and Sensitivity Evaluation) REflood Model Input Uncertainty Methods] benchmark (2012–2015), Tractebel has contributed to the development and the proof-of-concept application of a sampling-based inverse uncertainty quantification (IUQ) approach with the DAKOTA statistical uncertainty and sensitivity analysis tool. This IUQ approach has been applied to quantify the RELAP5/MOD3.3 reflood-related model input uncertainties, based on selected reflood tests [FEBA (Flooding Experiments with Blocked Arrays) and PERICLES]. This paper presents the Tractebel IUQ approach as well as the results of applications to the PREMIUM benchmark. Lessons learned and perspectives for future development are also discussed.