BIM in the Nuclear Sector

While we have for some time now seen increasing use of BIM in the nuclear sector, as with other sectors of energy infrastructure. The increasing adoption is being seen not only in the development of new-build nuclear projects but also in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

Around the world, we are currently seeing the gradual decommissioning of first-generation nuclear power plants. In the next 20 years, it is estimated that 300 nuclear facilities will be shut-down. In the UK the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is currently managing 17 sites across the UK each at varying stages of decommissioning. Similar levels of decommissioning are also being seen in other European countries. Like the UK -as of 2016 France is partaking in 10 nuclear-decommissioning projects.

Many of these projects are very high profile and in the national interest, non-more-so than Sellafield in Cumbria. The National Industry Association (NIA) describes the Sellafield decommissioning project as complex and challenging site which includes “managing what is left from early nuclear research including the first prototype reactors and the UK’s early nuclear weapons programme”. The complexity of the challenge is in part because there is reported to be no accurate blueprints or inventories of the site.

While a substantial decommissioning programme is currently underway in the UK, the NIA also reports an urgent need to develop low carbon infrastructure to meet electricity generation demands by 2030 and meet the UK’s commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

As such potential uses for BIM in the this sector ranges from new-build state of the art nuclear power plants to small modular reactors (SMRs). Also lifecycle management of assets, including waste management processes, are set to lead to increased BIM adoption in this particular sector.

SMRs are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors and they are manufactured offsite. The modular nature of the reactors means less on-site construction, increased containment efficiency, and in principle increased security of nuclear industry materials. Several types of SMRs exist, ranging from scaled-down versions of existing nuclear reactor technology to entirely new Generation IV designs.

The UK government has highlighted the development of SMRs as a means of meeting the countries energy demands and climate change challenges. There is also increasing levels of discussion around BIM implementation in the development of SMRs. For example, Waldeck Consulting, which is active with BIM in several areas globally, are also involved in discussions on SMRs and assisting with the UK nuclear industry’s journey towards greater engagement with BIM.

Traditionally the industry has predominately worked in 2D. Though the industry is now seeing a growing need for digital models and digital asset management tools such as REBIM. Such a digital transformation will not only be beneficial in the construction phase of new-build projects but also maintenance, operation and decommissioning of nuclear facilities going forward. In the near future it is likely that we will see greater application of BIM and digital asset management tools, including greater use of VR, real-time communication and IoT (Internet of Things).