Virtual technology to keep Belarusian nuclear power plant safe

A unique technology Virtual Nuclear Power Plant is used to design the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The technology ensures the top safety of the facility in addition to allowing the choice of optimal operation modes. The information was released by Yevgeny Obraztsov, Head of the Research and Development Lab of OAO Atomproject, during a media tour of OAO Atomproject and the second Leningrad nuclear power plant, which is under construction, BelTA has learned. The media tour was arranged for representatives of the Belarusian Energy Ministry, the Information Ministry, and OAO Atomproject.

According to Yevgeny Obraztsov, the virtual nuclear power plant allows users to analyze in detail the processes that go on inside nuclear power plants built using the AES-2006 design, including the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “The virtual nuclear power plant can be used to test all kinds of potential situations that the control desk of a real nuclear power plant may witness,” explained the Head of the Research and Development Lab.

The display of the virtual power plant has all the indicators of the real control desk of the nuclear power plant. Complex analysis can be used to determine the necessary avenues of optimization of technical solutions during the design phase and during startup and commissioning operations as well as the actual operation of the nuclear power plant. “The technology is meant primarily for designers. Users can touch the panel to see the necessary parts of the control desk and receive complete information about ongoing processes,” said the specialist.

The virtual nuclear power plant differs from the simulators, which are used to train nuclear power plant personnel. While designing the technology, the developers focused on reproducing the laws of physics in real power plants as closely as possible. “It allows working out the order and the length of actions required to build and further maintain the power plant in detail,” stressed the specialist. Yevgeny Obraztsov added that the technology can be used as an analytical simulator and an instruction tool.

The virtual nuclear power plant technology is a unique product that OAO Atomproject started designing in the 1990s. The implementation of the project “Development of supercomputers and grid technologies” in 2010-2012 gave a massive boost to the technology’s development. As a result, the company came up with a product that implements a complex of hardware and software as well as a multilayer system of math models for the primary and auxiliary systems and equipment of the nuclear power plant.

OAO Atomproject was founded on 1 July 2014 on the basis of OAO Chief Institute VNIPIET and the Saint Petersburg-based R&D company Atomenergoproject, which merger began in 2012. OAO Atomproject is a leading enterprise of the Russian state corporation Rosatom. The enterprise is in charge of designing nuclear industry installations, carrying out scientific research projects, and developing new-generation nuclear energy technologies.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built using the AES-2006 design developed by the Saint Petersburg-based R&D company Atomenergoproject. The design implements improved water-moderated power reactors of generation 3+ that boast improved reliability and safety. AES-2006 is fully compliant with international norms and IAEA recommendations. The Belarusian nuclear power plant will comprise two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400 MW (1,200MW each). The Russian merged company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport (ASE) is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The first power-generating unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018, with the second one to go online in 2020.