Advanced nuclear is within reach — and a new digital twin reveals how smarter plant operations can enhance the economic viability and safety of small modular reactors, or SMRs.

ORNL’s new digital twin technology models small modular reactors to improve performance, reduce downtime and cut costs. Credit: ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

In collaboration with the University of Tennessee and GE Vernova Hitachi, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently published innovative research on a new risk-informed digital twin designed to enhance operational decision-making for the GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 SMR design.

SMRs are compact nuclear systems designed to be easier and more less expensive to build than traditional reactors. A digital twin — a virtual model that adapts with real-time data — can improve their competitiveness by using probabilistic risk assessment to determine the likelihood of potential failure events.

The ORNL digital twin tracks SMR equipment health and performance to inform decision-making and decrease the likelihood of unplanned shutdowns, which drive higher operational costs. The technology can also support today’s reactors and future designs.

“This research moves the needle for SMRs, providing a vital tool to make smarter, faster decisions while keeping costs down,” said ORNL’s Michael Muhlheim.

Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory