Opportunities for Automation and Control of the Next Generation of Nuclear Power Plants

Application of automation using digital systems to control and manage nuclear power plants, along with the introduction of some of the techniques of artificial intelligence, can offer the public assurance that nuclear power plants are being controlled and managed safely and efficiently. Automation could dramatically reduce the minor glitches that detract from the truly fine performance of these plants. Demands for increased safety margins, lower environmental impacts, improved performance, and greater investment protection will inevitably lead to automation of most nuclear power plant functions. Technologies that should be supported to ensure the proper development of this generation of nuclear power plants include fault-tolerant digital control and safety systems, automated software production, human factors, sensor-reading validation, artificial intelligence, expert systems, neural networks, alternate computer technologies, and robotics.