Multi-D technology to build Belarusian nuclear power plant

The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has become one of the key national projects that will considerably affect the structure of the Belarusian power grid in the future. Specialists note that the construction work proceeds on schedule. The core process equipment of the reactor compartment of the first power-generating unit will be ready for installation this year. The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant focuses on using technologies of tomorrow while every step of the work is tightly overseen. In the end the efforts are supposed to guarantee safe operation of the power plant. Innovative solutions for designing, building, and operating nuclear power plants were presented in Minsk during the international expo Atomexpo Belarus 2015. The event was arranged by the Belarusian Energy Ministry with assistance of the Russian state corporation Rosatom. The expo gathered over 80 Russian and Belarusian companies and organizations. During the forum nuclear industry specialists, including representatives of Rusatom International Network, talked about how the Multi-D technology can help transfer the most complicated design from paper to reality, whether it is possible to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant using Belarusian materials and how much time the implementation of the large-scale project requires.

ATOMIC ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS
The Multi-D technology is an innovative research product of the Nizhny Novgorod-based engineering company Atomenergoproekt — Atomstroyexport (NIAEP-ASE). For the sake of building complicated industrial installations, including nuclear power plants, a digital model of the facility that combines all the data and presents it in an easy to read form is necessary. The developers believe that the technology rules out redundant or incorrect data. Computers are used to compile detailed work schedules. The Multi-D technology can be used to model the construction of a nuclear power plant as early as the design phase, noted Vyacheslav Alenkov, Deputy Director of the Moscow branch of NIAEP-ASE. The state-of-the-art engineering technology offers unprecedented control over the project during the design and construction phases as well as during the operation phase. If necessary, it can be used to decommission the facility.
It would be incorrect to say that Multi-D helps manage the facility only in the cyber space. Field engineering comes in handy for converting the design into an installation you can touch with your hands. “It is one of the features of the technology. We know how to represent a nuclear power plant outside the computer and organize the work of contractors at the construction site,” stressed Vyacheslav Alenkov.
The technology also allows accessing all the necessary data directly at the construction site. It can be done either using a self-service terminal or a mobile app. “Paper or information technologies — you are free to make the choice. But many are starting to recognize the advantages of tablet computers,” said Vyacheslav Alenkov.
Among other things the Multi-D technology offers a system to oversee the workforce. The smart system collects all the data about who, where, and at what time worked in a certain area. When the system is deployed, either individual access cards or identification chips, which are installed in protective headgear, can be coupled with the system.

KNOW-HOW IN OSTROVETS
Multi-D is already used for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant and will be used in consequent phases of the project. “Common digital space has been created and is used by design institutions. The operation of a digital workflow system is being tested. The customer has presented us with new requirements. We will be gradually improving the technology,” noted Vyacheslav Alenkov. The common information space now connects the central HQ and the construction site.
3D models of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are being developed as well as construction work orders (as part of weekly and daily plans). Apart from that, it will be possible to use Multi-D to recreate the cinematics of equipment and thus visualize the work process. 3D models will later boast precision and high detail. It will allow optimizing the use of the available resources. A visual modelling studio offers a handy way of working with them. According to Vyacheslav Alenkov, it is kind of a 3D cinema for engineers. Once the nuclear power plant is commissioned, the improvised movie theater can be used to train personnel and offer career enhancement courses.
As part of the Multi-D deployment the enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant is working on a web portal that will collect all the data that suppliers need. Once the website is operational, bar coding will come in handy. Suppliers will then be able to sign contracts and apply bar codes to their products. The bar codes will help the customer control the delivery of the merchandise, optimize inventorying, and get information about the deliveries.

LOCALIZATION POLICY
As the construction and installation work proceeds as part of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project, matters concerning the delivery of the necessary materials are being addressed. Imports are unavoidable, but Viktor Yashkov, Head of the Logistics and Transport Control Office of NIAEP-ASE, believes that the degree of localization in manufacturing equipment and materials for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant will rise in the future. At least good prerequisites for that are available.
The working group to provide organizational and technical support for localizing the production and deliveries of equipment and materials by Belarusian contractors for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant is now busy working on proposals to start manufacturing some kinds of products in Belarus. Those include several kinds of cables, ventilation solutions, and materials for mechanically connecting reinforcement bars. Viktor Yashkov, a member of the working group, explained that they are looking into options for replacing clutches, which are imported from Indonesia and are used for mechanically connecting reinforcement bars. “Belarusian companies will start making the clutches in June or July at the latest and will deliver them for the sake of building the Belarusian nuclear power plant,” said Viktor Yashkov.
Apart from that, Belarusian companies will start taking care of pre-assembling some kinds of equipment. The Russian side is expected to deliver some components while Belarusian companies will pre-assemble them, weld, mark, paint and ship the ready products, he explained.
Apart from the organizational and technical support for localizing the production and deliveries for the Belarusian nuclear power plant the working group deals with problems that emerge in the organization and implementation of the support. The group also prepares proposals regarding support organization. “We are ready for cooperation, provided Belarusian companies are willing to embrace it. We can inform them, help and recommend products by Belarusian companies for deliveries to the Belarusian nuclear power plant after technical examination. We will do our best to increase the localization percentage as much as possible taking into account technical and technological capabilities of Belarusian enterprises,” promised Viktor Yashkov.

ENOUGH TIME AND MONEY
So far 20% of the work required to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant has been done. Yuri Pustovoi, director for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant, director of the representative office of the Russian company ASE-NIAEP-AEP in Belarus, believes the pace is good. The main operations at the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant began in November 2013. The industrial base has been built already. It is a set of buildings and structures that can house 8,500 workers and see to all the technological requirements of installation companies and other organizations. “So far 20% of the total volume of the work has been done. This year we will have to do roughly 20% more,” said Yuri Pustovoi. The executive stressed that it is the amount of work, not the amount of money.
As many as 26 construction companies are involved in building the Belarusian nuclear power plant, including three Russian ones. About 4,000 construction workers are busy building the power plant. The number of construction workers employed to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant is expected to peak at 8,000 in 2016-2017. In line with the general contract for building the nuclear power plant the first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2018, with the second one to go online in 2020.
In 2015 as part of the project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant the bulk of the money will be spent on paying for construction and installation work and for getting the equipment made. There are plans to spend $633 million this year, including $570 million borrowed from Russia.
By the way, the construction schedule and the cost of the facility can be controlled using the Multi-D technology. Vyacheslav Alenkov explained that electronic document management allows generating all the work documents in one system, getting them approved and handling remarks of the customer in digital form. In turn, it helps make adjustments to the progress of construction and installation work if necessary and send working documents to the construction site promptly. The Plan-Fact instrument that compares the current state of the facility with the state, which is supposed to be achieved as of a certain date, helps visually control the progress of the construction project.
As far as the financial side is concerned, a special Multi-D tool can manage the cost of building the facility. Vyacheslav Alenkov mentioned the approach as “just in the cost”. The approach is very handy today.