MTA-RP-004

Administrative Items
Date	12/14/2021
Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized	Radiation Protection Maintenance Operations
Reference Implementation Guidance	Remote Verification of Work Tasks at Nuclear Power Plants: Screening Criteria and Process Guidance (EPRI 3002020867)
Industry SME	EPRI – Chris Wiegand Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
Previous Implementation	Please contact EPRI for more information.
Implementation Enablers	A wireless network infrastructure is needed to support live video and audio communication for remote verification. MTA-MA-003 – Implement a Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) MTA-MA-004 – Implement a Wireless Network Infrastructure Using WiFi
SWEEP Score	Cost – Level 3 – Implementation cost is less than $1 million. Cost can be reduced if the utility can leverage mobile devices and communication platforms already available to the site. Depending on the type of technology selected, there may be reoccurring licensing and maintenance fees. Savings – Level 1 – Savings are less than $1 million per year. Savings are dependent on the number of remote verifications performed each year and the location of the verification (i.e., if the verification is in a high dose area). Payback – Level 3 – Payback period is less than one year. Technical Readiness – Level 3 – The technology is ready for wide operational deployment. Licensing Readiness – Level 3 – No changes are required for implementation of this technology. Implementation Proficiency – Level 3 – The technology can be implemented by all sites, regardless of digital experience.
Applicability	All reactor types All geographic regions
Keywords	Remote verification; verification; verifier; inspection; QA hold point; mobile devices
Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference	N/A

Description

Various tasks within a nuclear power plant require verification when it is critical for an action to be correct or if there is an adverse result if the action is not performed correctly. These tasks apply to a variety of functional areas such as operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality assurance (QA). Example specific tasks include valve manipulations, remote panel annunciator confirmation, seismic restraints, and QA hold points. Most verifications require a person to go to the location and verify that the action was correctly performed, typically through visual or audio cues. These verifications may subject the verifier to potential hazards such as heat, radiation, and heights.

Remote verification can add significant value through increased personnel safety and flexibility. For verifications that only require visual or audio cues to confirm the activity or action, a mobile device or camera system can be used to live stream the verification. Utilities can leverage existing applications and tools already available at the plant to successfully conduct and document a remote verification. Advanced technologies, such as mixed reality lenses, can also be purchased from vendors to expand the capabilities of remote verification. Mixed reality lenses combine elements of augmented reality and virtual reality to allow views of the real-word in combination with digital objects. These types of lenses and other camera technologies can be used in a variety of applications, such as remotely verifying hanging tags in high dose areas, peer checking the work of others (e.g., checking the installation of a jumper cable in an electrical panel), and performing procedures while communicating with the technician.

To maximize the benefits of remote verification, a plant should challenge every field entry and consider if remote verification could be performed successfully and safely.

Benefits

Benefits Estimate

Level 1 – Savings are less than $1 million per year. Savings are dependent on the number of remote verifications performed each year and the location of the verification (i.e., if the verification is in a high dose area).

Benefits Description

• Reduce labor costs by removing the need to send an individual into the work location solely for the purpose of performing a verification.
• Increase safety by reducing the need to send individuals into hazardous conditions such as heat, radiation, and heights for the verification.
• Improved schedule efficiency by enabling immediate communication to address issues in the field with remote personnel.
• Improved documentation by enabling a digital log of the activity or final condition of the component.

Costs and Schedule

Cost

Level 3 – Implementation cost is less than $1 million. Cost can be reduced if the utility can leverage mobile devices and communication platforms already available to the site. Depending on the type of technology selected, there may be reoccurring licensing and maintenance fees.

Schedule

Six months to one year. Schedule includes procurement of the technology, training, and implementation of the technology.

Scope Context

Per site.

Risks

Utilities implementing remote verification will need to work closely with their IT and security departments to establish the cybersecurity requirements for their selected video streaming technologies. Remote verification should typically fall under those cyber controls applied to business network assets that do not perform operational functions.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) must be considered to ensure that the wireless signals from the remote verification technology do not adversely affect nearby equipment. Following the EPRI and U.S. NRC guidance for equipment EMC qualification and maintaining a minimum separation distance, if required, will mitigate this risk.

Some remote verification technologies may require additional software or software licenses in addition to the software licenses already available to the plant. Utilities should work with the vendor to understand the software requirements of the technology prior to implementation to avoid project delays.