Identifying and Reducing Hidden Risks in Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

Hidden risks in operation of nuclear power plants need to be effectively identified before they can be reduced. It has been found that the accident at Three Mile Island was caused by pump failures and human errors. By analyzing the real longitudinal failure data for 28 years collected from 342 pumps in the largest nuclear power plant in Taiwan with latent growth modeling, we find that the average growth trajectory of the pump failure is inverted-U-shaped, and the change pattern varies with pump power and different power-generating units. The results have uncovered the deficiency of management hidden in small-power pumps and in a power-generating unit. These hidden risks can be reduced by appropriate reallocation of resources and crew resource management. We urge that latent growth modeling be used to analyze various longitudinal data to gain more insight about hidden risks in operation of nuclear power plants. Doing so can effectively reduce risks and minimize the chance of occurrence of nuclear disasters.