Strategic Risk and Cost Optimization in Nuclear Construction Using MBSE

1 Statement of the Problem: The nuclear industry faces significant challenges, including ensuring safety, adhering to strict regulatory standards, and maintaining cost competitiveness amidst the critical need for low-carbon energy sources to meet future demands. Despite the global cost-competitiveness of nuclear energy and its vital role in the energy mix, there are persistent issues in construction management and project delivery, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. The proposed solution involves adopting Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to improve advanced nuclear facilitiesĺ design and construction processes. This approach, inspired by its successful application in the aerospace and defense industries, aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and align with leading institutions like MIT, EPRI, and the Energy Technology Institute recommendations. By focusing on pre-construction designs and implementing detailed planning and efficient construction management strategies, this proposal seeks to address the outlined challenges and streamline the development of nuclear projects. 2 Solution to Address the Problem: The proposed approach involves using model-based systems engineering techniques, which have been developed in other fields, to complete the design of advanced nuclear facilities before construction begins. This method aims to enhance cost and schedule outcomes by identifying and preventing various types of defects and faults early in the design process. Preventing defects at this stage is considered the most cost-effective strategy, as it avoids the higher costs and delays associated with fixing issues later. 3 Phase I Objectives: 1. Modeling for Construction Projects: The first goal is to develop a model for a construction project using the Unified Architecture Framework. The aim is to demonstrate how modeling can improve cost and schedule efficiency by identifying and solving potential problems during the design phase, which is the most cost-effective time to address defects. 2. Traceability of Requirements: The second objective is to set up a thorough system for tracking the evolution and modifications of design and construction requirements from the initial stakeholder inputs to the construction phase. This ensures accuracy and accountability in the designs before construction begins. 3. Improving Data Integration Throughout the Project Lifecycle: The third goal focuses on ensuring that data flows smoothly between databases, design, and CAD software tools, along with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools. This integration aims to reduce the need for manual data entry and decrease errors in transferring data, which, in turn, helps lower the risk of expensive construction mistakes. 4 Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: The significant size and ongoing growth of the global nuclear energy market highlight the potential for this software technology. There are about 440 nuclear power reactors worldwide, producing roughly 10% of the global electricity supply. Additionally, 55 power reactors are under construction at various stages. Our strategy for success involves collaborating with established industry providers to enhance their capabilities. We offer our base model for licensing or outright purchase, providing our customers with a competitive edge, or we can customize it as a service for specific projects. Weĺve already pinpointed potential partner companies, including GE Hitachi, Westinghouse Electric Company, NuScale Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Areva, and Kepco, and have initiated an outreach campaign. In Phase I, our goal is to select and collaborate with leading partner(s) who will be involved in the subsequent phases II and III.