UC Berkeley

This dissertation provides a comprehensive exploration of the feasibility and potential benefits of remote operations as a control strategy for advanced nuclear reactors. While remote monitoring and control have been implemented in other industries, the operational feasibility and guidelines for implementing remote-operated control rooms for nuclear facilities remain largely unproven and scarce. Therefore, this research offers valuable insights for the industry as it navigates the future of nuclear power plant operations.

The dissertation is organized into six chapters, with each chapter building on the previous one. It begins with a review of state-of-the-art technology for modern control rooms in various industries, including nuclear. The subsequent chapters discuss remote operations in other industries and ways the nuclear industry can implement remote operations. The research then provides a demonstration of remote operations at an advanced nuclear reactor company, highlighting the technical feasibility of remote operations.

Moreover, this dissertation offers two more original contributions. Firstly, it presents a human factors-based study that sheds light on the challenges of remote operations and emphasizes the significance of appropriate training, communication, and workload management to ensure successful remote operations. Secondly, it provides a comprehensive set of criteria that advanced reactor companies need to consider before implementing a remote control room. These criteria encompass safety, cybersecurity, human factors, training, and licensing, serving as a guideline for advanced reactor companies planning to adopt a remote control operational strategy.

Overall, this dissertation provides valuable contributions to the field of nuclear energy. By identifying the key criteria that must be fulfilled for successful implementation of remote operations, this research offers practical insights that can help industry professionals make informed decisions about the future of nuclear power plant operations.