The nuclear industry is at a crossroads, grappling with the challenge of modernising decades-old infrastructure and developing new reactor technologies – all while ensuring safety, efficiency and sustainability. Many nuclear power plants still rely on paper-based records, manual processes and legacy systems. At the same time, an aging workforce puts many companies at risk of losing valuable institutional knowledge. However, the shift towards digital power is transforming these outdated methods and allowing more effective knowledge retention and transfer too.
For nuclear power companies that want to remain competitive and ensure long-term viability, digital transformation is a must. Digital technologies like automation, intelligent software, and data analytics can help organisations in the nuclear power industry increase efficiency, control costs and foster innovation – securing their spot in the evolving energy landscape.
Embracing digital workflows can modernise operations, enhance safety and improve efficiency in an increasingly complex regulatory and technical landscape. The adoption of digital power plants is revolutionising the industry by integrating advanced technologies to enhance operations and safety. There are several key opportunities for digital transformation in the nuclear power industry.
Digital twins
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical system that continuously receives real-time data to simulate, analyse, and optimise operations. In the nuclear power industry, digital twins provide a dynamic, data-driven model of a reactor, enabling engineers to model operations, maintenance strategies, control systems, and failure scenarios– without making real-world modifications.
While digital twins are actively being tested and deployed, projects like one conducted by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are exploring how they can further support autonomous reactor control by using machine learning (ML) and predictive analytics. INL’s establishment of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence (DICE) is a strong indicator that digital twin technology is transitioning from research to real world application in the nuclear industry.
The potential benefits are significant: digital twins can enhance decision-making, improve risk assessments, boost performance, and facilitate autonomous operations. By integrating vast amounts of real-time data, digital twins also serve as a centralised intelligence hub, providing stakeholders with accurate insights into past, present, and future plant conditions, ultimately leading to a safer and more efficient nuclear power industry.
Digital instrumentation and control systems
Instrumentation and control (I&C) systems are the central nervous system of a nuclear power plant, continuously monitoring, coordinating and controlling all plant components and equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations. The control room acts as the central hub for these systems, enabling real-time monitoring and coordination of all plant components. Upgrading aging analogue I&C systems with advanced digital systems is a critical part of plant modernisation.
Digital I&C enables automated diagnostics, real-time equipment health monitoring and predictive maintenance, reducing the need for manual inspections and minimising downtime. It also addresses parts obsolescence issues, eliminates failure vulnerabilities in analogue systems and reduces hardware complexity.
While many nuclear power plants worldwide have been using digital I&C for years, the US has been slower to upgrade due to regulatory complexities, cost considerations, and a continued reliance on proven analogue systems. However, next-generation nuclear technologies, including advanced reactors (ARs) and small modular reactors (SMRs), are designed to operate with digital I&C system from the start. This shift is driving a broader transformation across the industry, accelerating the adoption of digital technologies in both new reactor designs and the modernisation of existing power plants.
A notable example is Purdue University Reactor Number One (PUR-1). While PUR-1 is a research reactor rather than a power-generating facility, it became the first US nuclear reactor licensed to operate with a fully digital I&C system. This achievement highlights the growing role of digital technology in improving reactor monitoring, safety, and efficiency.
Regulatory compliance
Nuclear power is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. Plant owners and operators must adhere to a vast framework of laws, codes and standards set by governmental agencies like the NRC, European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and standards developers like ASME, ANS, ISO, IEEE, IEC and more.
Licensing can be a long, arduous process, dependent on a careful balance of safety, politics, funding and public perception. For emerging technologies like ARs and SMRs, regulatory bodies and Standards Development Organisations (SDOs) frequently update or introduce new standards and regulations to address evolving safety, security, and operational requirements.
Digital standards management can simplify the complex regulatory compliance process. With digital standards, companies can easily access and use standards, reducing the time spent manually searching for relevant documents. Automated alerts can also notify users when a standard is updated, while intelligent comparison tools can highlight specific changes, reducing compliance risks.
Project lifecycle traceability
Traceability is critical in the nuclear industry where regulatory compliance, safety and operational integrity depend on meticulous documentation and data management. Nuclear industry companies must maintain comprehensive records to ensure compliance, facilitate audits and reduce the risk of costly delays or fines. Additionally, much of the nuclear industry’s institutional knowledge remains locked in paper-based records and legacy systems. Digital transformation is crucial for preserving critical engineering data, improving accessibility, and ensuring informed decision-making throughout the plant lifecycle.
Beyond compliance, project traceability enhances collaboration, risk management and operational efficiency. Establishing a digital single source of ‘truth’ ensures that changes, approvals, and design modifications are accurately recorded and easily accessible. This not only reduces rework and project delays but also enhances innovation, safety, and long-term asset management in a rapidly evolving nuclear energy sector.
Digital innovation
Digital transformation is a catalyst for innovation in the nuclear industry, enabling advancements in next-generation reactor designs such as SMRs, ARs, and microreactors, advanced fuel technologies, radioactive waste management, and additive manufacturing. These breakthroughs rely on digital tools like AI-powered analytics for optimising operations and maintenance and digital I&C systems, which are essential for modern reactor designs.
Additionally, research and development – the cornerstone of nuclear innovation – is accelerated through digital access to standards, patents, and technical publications. Intelligent software and AI-powered research tools enable faster discovery, analysis and deployment of groundbreaking solutions, shaping the future of clean energy.
Overcoming roadblocks
The road to digital transformation in the nuclear industry is filled with challenges. Cybersecurity is a major concern as digital systems are integrated, requiring robust protections to safeguard critical infrastructure and reactor safety. Although NRC 10 CFR 73.54 and IEC 62645 provide some guidance, the lack of standardised regulations for digital technologies across the industry creates uncertainty, making compliance more complex and time-consuming.
Many workers in the sector are also hesitant to embrace change, as digital transformation requires new skills and a shift from traditional processes. Furthermore, upgrading legacy systems and transitioning from analogue to digital I&C is technically complex and costly, requiring significant investment and careful integration to maintain safety and regulatory compliance. Despite these challenges, digitalisation is crucial for modernising the nuclear industry, improving efficiency and ensuring long-term success. Additionally, the high maintenance costs associated with aging infrastructure pose a significant challenge for the industry.
A safer and smarter future
For nuclear power companies pursuing digitalisation, success starts with a strong cybersecurity strategy, centralised digital workflows and strategic technology investments. Implementing security-by-design principles can help mitigate cyber risks, ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure. Establishing a single source of ‘truth’ enhances data accuracy, compliance, and collaboration across teams. Additionally, investing in the right digital engineering workflow tools can streamline operations, improve efficiency and drive innovation.
By embracing digital transformation today, nuclear companies can enhance safety, increase efficiency and secure their place in the evolving energy landscape.
