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Be it software updates, cloud services or external analysis platforms - modern IT systems rely on a large number of digital service providers. What brings efficiency also harbours new risks: This is because attackers can penetrate deep into well-protected systems unnoticed via an inadequately protected supply chain - even in safety-critical areas such as nuclear engineering. A new GRS research project looks at how such attacks unfold, which systems are particularly at risk, and how operators can protect themselves better.
C. Müller, E. Piljugin, J. Shvab
Electricity, heat, hydrogen – and new safety issues: GRS experts involved in international project on the use of SMRs in hybrid energy networks
Since the emergence of ChatGPT and similar technologies, artificial intelligence applications have become ubiquitous. There is now hardly any area of life or industry in which AI is not used, sometimes leading to far-reaching upheavals. In nuclear technology, too, AI is increasingly being used to support the development, operation and maintenance of nuclear installations as well as in the regulatory environment. The aim here is both to achieve efficiency gains and to enable the development of new technical approaches and methods. Since AI can intervene deeply in safety-relevant processes, issues of transparency, robustness – i.e. resistance to errors and unexpected situations – and regulatory compliance and integration are also of central importance.
Previous fuel concepts in nuclear power plants with light-water reactors typically include uranium dioxide as fuel and cladding tubes made of a zirconium alloy. Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) refers to alternative cladding and fuel concepts designed to improve core behaviour under accident conditions compared to the current standard system, specifically, to tolerate the loss of cooling in the core for a longer period of time. The first ATFs have already been used on a trial basis in nuclear power plants, for example in Belgium or Switzerland. As part of a research project, GRS scientists investigated which concepts are currently being developed, how advanced they are and to what extent they could have mitigated the progression of real reactor accidents. The results show potential, but also challenges, and provide a sound basis for the further safety assessment of these new technologies.
T. Hollands, L. Tiborcz, T. Skorek, M. Junk, A. Wielenberg
What happened last year in the field of nuclear energy? What developments can be observed internationally? The following overview shows the situation broken down by continent (Europe, America, Asia and Africa). Australia/Oceania is not included as no nuclear power plants (NPPs) are operated there. After a brief summary, the countries that either operate reactors or are planning to start or are already building NPPs are presented for each continent.
O. Bartos, F. Rowold, K. Hummelsheim