MTA-MA-004

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Administrative Items
Date	12/15/2020
Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized	Maintenance
Reference Implementation Guidance	Guidelines for Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing of Power Plant Equipment: Revision 5 to TR-102323 (EPRI 3002015757) Implementation Guideline for Wireless Networks and Wireless Equipment Condition Monitoring (EPRI 1019186)
Industry SME	EPRI PRR Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
Previous Implementation	Please contact EPRI for implementation examples and contacts.
Implementation Enablers	N/A
Applicability	All reactor types All geographic regions
Keywords	Wireless network; wireless infrastructure; WiFi; online monitoring; IEEE Std. 802.11
Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference	N/A

Description

The implementation of a wireless network infrastructure at a nuclear plant is an enabler for modernization projects and technologies. WiFi (IEEE Std. 802.11) is an unlicensed wireless network that is owned and controlled by the utility’s IT department. An available and reliable WiFi signal allows for the implementation of certain modernization improvements that rely on, or are optimized by, availability of a wireless network connection, such as online monitoring and advanced on‑site communication. These modernization improvements that leverage the wireless network may reduce utility costs, provide for cost savings, improve equipment reliability, improve worker productivity, improve overall plant process efficiency, or provide other potential benefits.

Benefits

Benefits Estimate

Level 0 – Savings are not evaluated because the technology or process improvement is an enabler, which does not inherently produce cost savings but permits implementation of other improvements.

Benefits Description

The implementation of a wireless network infrastructure enables/optimizes a variety of modernization improvements such as:

• Real time communication during refueling outages to increase efficiency and mitigate delays.
• Remote online monitoring to reduce maintenance costs, reduce personnel dose, and increase equipment reliability by supporting the transition to condition‑based maintenance instead of time‑based maintenance.
• Wearable technology to increase worker productivity with less errors.
• Paperless procedures and work orders that can be accessed wirelessly to reduce printing costs as well as reduce expenses and errors.
• Wireless cameras and thermal imaging devices to reduce fire watch staffing.
• Compared to a DAS ( MTA-MA-003: Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System), the benefit of a WiFi network is that it is owned and managed by the utility’s IT department and therefore not reliant on an outside company. Many plants already have a WiFi business network in place, allowing expansion of an existing capability; DAS typically must be installed entirely new. WiFi is widely used and accepted across industries, making it more familiar to typical users and IT staff than DAS.

Costs and Schedule

Cost

Level 1 – Implementation of a wireless network using WiFi throughout a nuclear facility assuming no existing infrastructure is estimated to cost greater than $5 million. Costs may range between $4‑7 million depending on the size and scope of the project. Plants that are expanding an existing WiFi network can expect less cost.

Schedule

One to three years.

Scope Context

Per unit. The cost and schedule estimates assume there is no existing WiFi infrastructure and include both the development of the Design Change package and the installation of the WiFi infrastructure inside and outside the power block.

Risks

• Cybersecurity – If the system is not properly segmented and implemented, potential cyber-security deficiencies may result in an increase in vulnerability to cybersecurity threats. Following the cyber security guidance in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – If EMC implications are not considered, then WiFi applications could potentially adversely affect nearby equipment, and the overall benefits of other modernization improvements that use this enabling technology could be impacted. Following the US NRC EMC requirements and guidance for EMC testing in the available reference implementation guidance will mitigate this risk.

SWEEP Score

Category	Level	Description
Cost	2	Implementation of a wireless network using WiFi throughout a nuclear facility is estimated to cost greater than $5 million.
Savings	0	Savings are not evaluated because the technology is an enabler, which does not inherently produce cost savings but permits implementation of other improvements.
Payback	0	No identified payback period since the technology improvement is an enabler. Payback is shared among modernization improvements that will use this enabling technology.
Licensing Readiness	3	This technology has already been implemented at nuclear power plants. No changes to the site license would be required to install the technology. This evaluation does not include the potential modernization improvements that could be implemented using this enabling technology.
Technology Readiness	3	This technology is commercially available and is already installed at commercial nuclear sites.
Implementation Proficiency	2	The implementation proficiency of WiFi is dependent on site‑specific experience related to wireless network infrastructure and cyber security protocols. A systematic engineering approach should be taken when installing WiFi.