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Advances in Human Factors in Energy: Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Electric Power Industries pp 193–201Cite as

Using the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory at Idaho National Laboratory for Safety Focused Research

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Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 495))

Abstract

Under the United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program, researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have been using the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory (HSSL) to conduct critical safety focused Human Factors research and development (R&D) for the nuclear industry. The LWRS program has the overall objective to develop the scientific basis to extend existing nuclear power plant (NPP) operating life beyond the current 60-year licensing period and to ensure their long-term reliability, productivity, safety, and security. One focus area for LWRS is the NPP main control room (MCR), because many of the instrumentation and control (I&C) system technologies installed in the MCR, while highly reliable and safe, are now difficult to replace and are therefore limiting the operating life of the NPP. This paper describes how INL researchers use the HSSL to conduct Human Factors R&D on modernizing or upgrading these I&C systems in a step-wise manner, and how the HSSL has addressed a significant gap in the process for upgrading systems and technologies that are built to last, and therefore require careful integration of analog and new advanced digital technologies.

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Acknowledgments

INL is a multi-program laboratory operated by Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, for the United States Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517. This work of authorship was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government, nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights. The United States Government retains, and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. The INL issued document number for this paper is: INL/CON-16-38104. The lead author also thanks Dr. Allison C. Joe for her help in preparing this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA

    Jeffrey C. Joe & Ronald L. Boring

Authors
  1. Jeffrey C. Joe
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  2. Ronald L. Boring
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Correspondence to Jeffrey C. Joe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA

    Sacit M. Cetiner

  2. IBM Corporation, Medfield, Massachusetts, USA

    Paul Fechtelkotter

  3. Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., Taylor, Texas, USA

    Michael Legatt

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Joe, J.C., Boring, R.L. (2017). Using the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory at Idaho National Laboratory for Safety Focused Research. In: Cetiner, S., Fechtelkotter, P., Legatt, M. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Energy: Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Electric Power Industries. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 495. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41950-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41950-3_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-41949-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-41950-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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