Nuclear Plant Modernization Toolbox

Overview

The Plant Modernization Toolbox (PMTB) Wiki is intended to be a resource to facilitate decision making and execution of the modernization process at nuclear power plants (NPPs). The Toolbox includes a variety of tools and aids to assist NPPs in identifying and evaluating cost savings from technology and process improvements. Utilities can use these tools to assess the costs and benefits of modernization ideas based on their specific circumstances and operating experience.

The Toolbox will continue to improve based on industry involvement. Feedback or suggested additions can be provided by contacting EPRI at nuclearplantmod@epri.com.

The core components of the Toolbox are:

• The Modernization Process
• The Business Case Analysis Model (BCAM) and completed example business cases
• Modernization Technology Assessments (MTAs), covering a wide variety of candidate modernization improvements available for NPPs
• Technology and Process Improvements

To find out more about Nuclear Plant Modernization, visit: https://www.epri.com/research/programs/111344

Modernization Process

The Modernization Process provides guidance for developing a strategy for modernization of nuclear power plants and augmenting typical plant processes for large projects to address considerations specific to plant modernization. It describes various factors for developing a nuclear power plant modernization strategy to improve the economic competitiveness and worker productivity of nuclear power plants using modern technology and innovation. The strategy must be tailored to fit the circumstances of the specific site and utility.

The modernization process described in EPRI report Nuclear Power Plant Modernization Strategy Development and Implementation Process Guide serves as a framework for systematic implementation of modernization improvements at nuclear power plants. Modernization improvements encompass any concept, project, or activity that uses technology to improve how nuclear power plants are operated and/or maintained, with the overarching goal of reducing operations and maintenance (O&M) costs and improving workforce labor efficiency for the fleet, site, or unit level.

The modernization process is intended to be revisited throughout the life of a site’s modernization program and is comparable to processes previously used by utilities for other large‑scale initiatives at nuclear power plants, such as power uprates or long-term operation.

Plant Modernization Benchmarking & Assessment (PM B&A) supplemental Project

EPRI offers the Plant Modernization Benchmarking & Assessment (PM B&A) supplemental project to assist members who have initiated plant modernization efforts and are seeking structured insight and peer comparison. PM B&A establishes a peer benchmarking group that provides participants with actionable insights, industry operating experience, subject matter expertise, peer benchmarking, and targeted research aligned with specific modernization needs. Additional details are available in the PM B&A Supplemental Project Notice. For more information, please contact your EPRI Technical Advisor or the Plant Modernization Team.

Plant Modernization Strategy Development EPRI Application

In addition, EPRI offers the Modernization Strategy Development EPRI Application to support members in applying EPRI research to their plant modernization efforts. Through this application, EPRI works directly with member utilities to translate research into actionable modernization strategies. The scope includes development of a program charter, identification of key inputs and risks, identification of viable modernization candidates, and an initial evaluation of potential improvements, consistent with the guidance in the Development and Implementation Process. To learn more about the Modernization Strategy Development EPRI Application, please contact your EPRI Technical Advisor or the Plant Modernization Team.

Plant Modernization and Digital Transformation Integration

EPRI has developed Plant Modernization Process and Digital Transformation Framework: Guidance on Integration and Concurrent Implementation to support integration of Plant Modernization and Digital Transformation strategies and coordinate implementation of modernization and digital initiatives across utilities.

The guidance describes how utilities can align modernization programs, digital infrastructure investments, data strategy, and implementation planning to reduce organizational friction, improve interoperability, and support scalable digital solution deployment.

Utilities may also reference the Digital Transformation Framework: Utility Strategy and Implementation Guide for broader DX strategy development and implementation considerations.

Business Case Analysis Model (BCAM) and Example Evaluations

The Excel-based Business Case Analysis Model (BCAM) provides a view of the economic feasibility of implementing nuclear plant modernization technologies. The model takes inputs from the user for the cost-drivers impacted by the technologies, to what extent those efficiencies will be harvested, and other business case inputs (e.g., the cost to implement, the time frame over which the business case is to be modeled) to provide output that supports plant modernization decision making. The output provided includes key financial metrics, such as cash flows, net present value (NPV), break-even, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and operational metrics such as the headcount by functional area before and after the modernization effort is implemented.

Additionally, EPRI has created a self-paced BCAM computer-based training (CBT) module to provide additional instructions, with examples, on how to use the BCAM tool.

EPRI has also developed a streamlined version of the BCAM as an online financial evaluation tool. This version of the BCAM allows members to complete higher level evaluations without the additional information required by the BCAM Excel tool. Users can complete multiple use case evaluations and see the financial results immediately. The use cases can be saved online or downloaded as PDF files. The Online BCAM is available to EPRI members by using the left sidebar. Please note that an EPRI login is required to access the tool.

Multiple example business case evaluations have been completed using the BCAM. This Wiki contains a table of completed BACAM evaluations available through the left hand navigation sidebar. The completed BCAMs table can be searched by topic using the “Filter by text” field and sorted by net present value (NPV) by selecting the appropriate column header. The table may also be exported to an Excel spreadsheet for internal use using the download button at the top right of the page.

Modernization Technology Assessments (MTAs)

Modernization Technology Assessments (MTAs) provide a concise, structured way to describe and characterize potential nuclear plant modernization technologies or process improvements. MTAs are intended to help utility and site staff quickly identify and screen candidates for further technical, financial, or strategic analysis.

EPRI provides guidance for developing MTAs through the technical update Nuclear Industry Modernization—Modernization Technology Assessments: Specification, Template, and Examples, which establishes a consistent framework to support alignment and comparability across utilities and organizations.

Input for MTAs is informed by EPRI research, industry best practices, award winning innovation initiatives, subject matter expert engagement, and interaction through the EPRI Plant Modernization Committee. MTAs may be proposed by utilities, vendors, EPRI, national laboratories, or other industry stakeholders.

Draft MTAs are reviewed by EPRI technical experts prior to inclusion in the Plant Modernization Toolbox. MTAs are provided as informational resources only; EPRI does not endorse or recommend specific technologies, products, or services included in an assessment.

Utilities or organizations interested in proposing new MTAs or providing feedback on existing assessments are encouraged to contact the Plant Modernization Team.

The filterable and sortable MTA table is accessible through the left hand navigation sidebar. Each MTA is publicly available and can be accessed by selecting its MTA number. Users may search the table using the “Filter by text” field, sort MTAs by SWEEP scores and applicability criteria, and export the table to Excel for internal use.

Technology and Process Improvement Enablers

Many modernization initiatives require enabling technologies or supporting infrastructure to fully realize potential benefits. Several commonly used enablers and related EPRI resources are listed below.

Wireless

Installation of a wireless network or distributed antenna system infrastructure by itself, does not lead to any cost saving. However, this infrastructure would allow for widespread installation and usage of wireless technologies such as online monitoring sensors, which could potentially allow fewer maintenance activities, fewer corrective actions, increased equipment reliability, lower dose, and so forth. See EPRI reports Use of LTE Cellular Network and Distributed Antenna Systems to Improve Connectivity and Increase Data Transfer and Online Monitoring – Engineering Change Package Content for a Distributed Antenna System and Wireless Vibration Sensors

Application Integration

Efficient software application integration is required to support many process improvements that use enterprise and software applications. EPRI report Application Integration Using Standards-Based Messaging: Implementation of Energy Supply Common Information Model (ES-CIM) Interfaces contains the result of preliminary research exploring the costs and roles that standards play in reducing costs and project risks. The resulting messaging standards are available through the ES-CIM Github Repository.

To aid in application integration cases related to Plant Modernization, EPRI is extending the IEC CIM to address interfaces for bulk energy supply assets in the Energy Supply Common Information Model (ES-CIM). EPRI maintains the ES-CIM GitHub Repository to aid the general public in developing interfaces with information technology systems that support bulk energy supply assets. The repository contains WSDL, XSD, JSON, and XML files to aid developers and architects in standardizing interfaces.

EPRI has developed the Energy Supply – Common Information Model (ES-CIM) Testbed, which allows for the testing of client software with some of the ES-CIM interfaces defined in our GitHub repository. The API was initially developed to support messages relating to PWR Water Chemistry, Radiation, and Spectroscopy.