Nuclear power plant big data workshop was a success
This past September, the Big Data for Nuclear Power Plants workshop was held at the Hilton downtown here in Columbus, organized by The Ohio State University Nuclear Engineering Program. It featured presentations, panels, and break-out sessions exploring the potential applications and challenges of the use of big data in the nuclear power generation field. The projected outcomes for the workshop were to 1) develop a roadmap for implementation of big data analytics in the nuclear industry and 2) publish a special issue in a peer-reviewed journal.
The workshop objectives are to identify and prioritize R&D needs in big data acquisition, storage and analysis for improving performance, safety, and security of nuclear reactor operations. "Big data is defined as high volume and velocity digital data that demands cost-effective and innovative forms of information processing for enhanced insight and decision-making".1
Use of big data can improve industrial performance. Organizations making use of big data are more than 20 times more likely to report that they outperform their competitors.2 These organizations excel in three key areas: data accessibility, drawing insight from data, and translating insight into action. Application of big data in utility and energy sectors include improved grid operation, smart metering, and asset and workforce management. For instance, improved grid operation can entail better anticipation of outages, managing the flow of power through the grid automatically, and more accurate simulation of energy demand. Big data analytics can help customers reduce energy consumption and support end-to-end management of the grid through smart metering. Asset and workforce management applications include early failure detection, asset and personnel management optimization, and improvement of physical security.1
One practical implementation in the nuclear field is a recent cooperation agreement between Bruce Power and Rolls Royce that seeks to implement tools used in aerospace to optimize maintenance of reactor components.3 Big data tools have a potential for improving the economics of nuclear reactors that have load following and process heat applications capabilities. At the same time implementation of big data analytics while improving operational performance can introduce additional licensing challenges.
For information about big data in nuclear and the outcomes of the workshop please contact Professors Carol Smidts and Marat Khafizov at smidts.1@osu.edu and khafizov.1@osu.edu.
Sources:
1www.gartner.com/it-glossary/big-data
2Adapted from A. Quitzau, lBM, “Transforming Energy and Utilities through Big Data & Analytics”
