Artificial Intelligence Has Reached Nuclear Power Plants. It Will Change Them Forever

There's no doubt that there are countless uses for artificial intelligence. This technology is gradually entering very different fields, proving its enormous potential. Fusion power is one of them. In fact, physicists and engineers involved in constructing the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) are using AI to better understand plasma dynamics and optimize welds in the reactor’s vacuum chamber. ITER is the fusion reactor in development in Cadarache, France, by an international consortium under European leadership.

Nuclear fusion isn’t the only field benefiting from AI. Nuclear power plants are also taking advantage of its potential. However, AI’s applications in nuclear fission are quite different from their usefulness in nuclear fusion. Experts at Foro Nuclear claim that AI can significantly improve the efficiency of nuclear power plant operations through machine learning algorithms and advanced data analytics. It can analyze sensor information in real-time to identify anomalies and predict maintenance needs.

AI Can Maximize the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants

These applications of AI are pretty tangible. AI is very good at finding patterns and analyzing data. Today, nuclear facilities perform these tasks, but only partially automated. Any technology that can make a meaningful contribution to improving the safety of these facilities is welcome, and AI is already proving itself in this regard.

Predictive maintenance is one area where AI can excel in nuclear power plants. Machine learning models can predict equipment failures if previously trained on historical data. Their ability to identify patterns in this area can make all the difference. Foro Nuclear claims that AI-enabled predictive maintenance increases the reliability and longevity of nuclear infrastructure. That certainly sounds good.

AI also plays a vital role in optimizing some of the processes in nuclear power plants. For example, it can adjust the level of power generation by collecting real-time data related to electricity demand, weather, etc. It can even optimize fuel consumption by analyzing reactor performance and adjusting the parameters that govern its operation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has been encouraging the use of AI in operating nuclear power plants since 2021. So, little by little, and as long as regulations allow it, this technology will gradually reach active atomic facilities.

More info | Foro Nuclear

Image | Lukáš Lehotský (Unsplash)

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