Using Information Automation and Human Technology Integration to Implement Integrated Operations for Nuclear

Abstract

The purpose of the research effort described in this report is to develop and demonstrate an approach to the design and implementation of advanced, automated systems intended to increase operational efficiencies at nuclear power plants. In particular, we describe methods for considering human-technology integration (HTI) issues throughout the various phases of system design, test, and implementation and how these considerations help promote effective design. This research project will develop planning tools and comprehensive guidance on how HTI principles and methods, in combination with information automation technologies, can enable effective data integration and coordination for full nuclear plant modernization. Specifically, this research project will develop an approach to automate the mapping of data from plant systems and processes to application needs, thereby significantly reducing the amount of human workload currently required for the execution of these tasks. In addition to developing an automated solution as a replacement for these tasks, this research will also analyze digitalization's effectiveness in reducing operational costs of compliance related activities. Compliance activities are estimated to account for as much as 50% of operations and maintenance (i.e., non-fuel and non-capital) costs of plant operation.

Using Systems Theoretic Process Analysis and Causal Analysis to Map and Manage Organizational Information to Enable Digitalization and Information Automation

“…As mentioned previously, Dainoff et al (2022) developed an approach to the design and implementation of advanced, automated systems intended to increase operational efficiencies at NPPs. This research also proposed automating the mapping of data from plant systems and processes to application needs, thereby significantly reducing the human workload currently required to execute these tasks.…”

“…More recently, LWRS Program Plant Modernization Pathway researchers developed an approach accounting for HTI issues throughout the various phases of system design, testing, and implementation (Dainoff, Hettinger, and Joe 2022). The approach also looked at how HTI helps promotes effective design.…”

“…One key insight from Dainoff, Hettinger, and Joe (2022) is that-as seen in Figure 4-when examining existing systems, the control structure produced in an STPA can be used to define high-level safety constraints prior to implementing specific system functionality, which is important when assessing digitalization and information automation aspects of data evolution. Information automation and human factors help NPPs integrate their operations and achieve full nuclear plant modernization.…”

“…As mentioned previously, LWRS Program researchers recently started investigating how HTI principles, digitalization, and information automation enable data evolution (Dainoff, Hettinger, and Joe 2022). These researchers are currently in the process of validating the use of STPA to define high-level safety constraints in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) problem identification and resolution process (i.e., a plant compliance information gathering activity).…”

“…LWRS Program researchers are also actively working on more broadly disseminating this research. In addition to authoring four other LWRS Program technical reports (Dainoff et al 2020, Dainoff et al 2022, we wrote a conference paper (Dainoff et al 2021) which was subsequently invited to be published as a peer-reviewed journal article. As of the publishing of this report, the manuscript is still under review, and while we are optimistic that it will be accepted for publication (the editor invited us to revise and resubmit after the initial peer review), we include it in this report as Appendix B because it succinctly establishes the theoretical foundation for the work described in this report.…”