Second NuScale SMR simulator commissioned

NuScale Power has commissioned a second control room simulator to model the operation of its small modular reactor design. The simulator will be used to train operators for the first commercial NuScale power plant.

NuScale Power has commissioned a second control room simulator to model the operation of its small modular reactor (SMR) design.

NuScale's second SMR simulator (Image: NuScale)

The new simulator - located at NuScale's office in Richland, Washington - will be used to develop plant operating procedures and training materials, as well as a training platform for future nuclear plant operators at a NuScale power plant.

Portland, Oregon-based NuScale said the simulator will serve as a virtual nuclear power plant control room with work stations to simulate the operation of a NuScale SMR module, turbine generator and support systems used to generate electricity.

NuScale announced in August 2012 the commissioning of its first control room simulator, at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

The first commercial 12-module NuScale power plant is planned to be built on the site of the Idaho National Laboratory. It will be owned by the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and operated by Energy Northwest.

NuScale vice president of operations and plant services Carl Markert, said: "The Richland-based simulator will allow Energy Northwest personnel to become familiar with our plant design and operation. Our system provides comprehensive monitoring and control of all plant systems for a 12-unit NuScale power plant in a single main control room."

Energy Northwest CEO Mark Reddemann said, "We are excited about the opportunity to provide operations and maintenance support for the first commercial small modular reactor. The new simulator will provide an invaluable training environment for plant personnel."

The NuScale SMR consists of integrated pressurized water reactor modules, designed on the light water reactor technology that has safely operated worldwide for the past 70 years. When coupled to its factory fabricated power generation equipment, a NuScale Power Module can produce 50 MW of electricity. A NuScale power plant can house up to 12 of these modules for a total facility output of 600 MW (gross).

In January, NuScale asked the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to approve the company's SMR commercial power plant design. This marked the first-ever SMR design certification application to be submitted to the NRC. On 15 March, the NRC accepted NuScale's application, confirming the submission addressed all of the NRC requirements and contained sufficient technical information to conduct the review.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News