Nuclear Power Plant Construction Projects Research Articles

СОВОКУПНЫЙ РИСК ПРИ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ КРУПНОГО КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ПРОЕКТА СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА АТОМНОЙ ЭЛЕКТРОСТАНЦИИ

The article identifies the problems of the modern international nuclear energy market, analyzes domestic and foreign experience in the construction of technically complex megaprojects, studies and systematizes organizational and technical aspects of the concept of reliability and risks of technically complex industrial facilities on the example of an international project for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The purpose of the research article is to solve one of the most important tasks – to determine the total investment risk and its assessment in an inextricable relationship with the stages of the project life cycle. The article systematizes both the principles of assessing the organizational and technical reliability of the system under study, as well as the methods of types of aggregate investment risk. A proprietary multi-criteria approach to the concept of reliability is being developed using modern theoretical methods in the context of the development of nuclear power plant construction projects abroad, respectively, taking into account country and industry risks.

원전의 인허가 규제 관련 쟁점과 과제

The nuclear power plant construction project faced a major crisis due to the Moon Jae-in government's nuclear power plant policy. Construction of Shin-Kori Units 5 and 6 was resumed as recommended by the Public Deliberation Committee, but plans to build Shin-Hanul Units 3 and 4 in Uljin and Cheonji Units 1 and 2 in Yeongdeok were nullified. As a result, residents of areas scheduled for nuclear power plant construction, such as Uljin and Yeongdeok, had to endure disadvantages due to economic downturn, job loss, and infringement of property rights. The Moon Jae-in government's policy of nuclear power plant was raised in the form of a presidential election pledge to join the energy conversion trend of some countries, including Germany. This was a big event that changed the basis of the national energy policy that had been maintained for a long time, and caused controversy over whether it was desirable or not in terms of industrial and energy security. Korea is a country with absolutely insufficient endowed energy resources, where it is importing more than 95% of its energy from abroad, and where it is difficult to connect to the power grid with foreign countries. If Korea gives up nuclear power, it will not be able to secure a stable energy supply. It can cause serious problems in terms of energy security. Permission for nuclear power plant construction is related to the Basic Plan for Electricity Demand and Supply(BPEDS). Establishing the BPEDS, K-Water gets intent documents from power producer, and reviews whether or not to permit generation, then, it is reflected in the BPEDS. In other words, when a new nuclear power plant construction is reflected to the BPEDS in the licensing proceedings for construction of nuclear power plants. K-water establishes a basic construction plan, conducts an environmental impact assessment, and then applies for approval of the power source development project execution plan in accordance with Article 5 of the Power Source Development Promotion Act, finally receives a construction permit of the nuclear power plant. Seoul Administrative Court dismissed the appel because BPEDS was not the object of the appeal under the administrative disposition in the Decision 2018Guhap53344 Decided January 10, 2020. In the case of the 8th BPEDS, it is reasonable to admit its disposability because it can affect specifically individual rights and obligations immediately by just the plan was established. In principle, the BPEDS is an internal guideline for administrative agencies to establish various plans for electricity business, and is applicable only to administrative agencies. However, the cancellation of construction and suspension of construction according to the 8th BPEDS can be seen directly and concretely to affect the rights and obligations of the people, such as nuclear power plant partners, nuclear equipment manufacturers and suppliers, nuclear radiation safety management service companies, and merchants in the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The point to resuming the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 is the environmental impact assessment. Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 received an environmental impact assessment in 2016, but the evaluation period ended in August 2021 as its construction was halted due to the Moon Jae-in government's policy of nuclear power plant. Therefore, it is legally appropriate to conduct the environmental impact assessment again. In principle, it is correct to proceed with the environmental assessment again from the beginning. However, in the case of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4, all procedures were suspended due to the government's decision to suspend construction, so there attribute a fault to the government. In addition, environmental impact assessment is to prepare measures to avoid, eliminate or reduce harmful environmental impacts by investigating, predicting, and evaluating the impact of the project on the environment in advance.

A new Bayesian network model for risk assessment based on cloud model, interval type-2 fuzzy sets and improved D-S evidence theory

Traditional Bayesian network (BN) model is established by crisp sets and probabilities, and its effectiveness and applicability are restricted. In order to solve this problem, a new BN model for risk assessment based on cloud model (CM), interval type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) and the improved Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory was developed in the following route. Firstly, CM and IT2FSs were used to define a new solution for the digital characteristics, and the standard and index cloud membership functions for the IT2FSs-CM were established. Then, the index cloud membership function for the IT2FSs-CM was defined as the basic probability assignment (BPA) function, a new evidence fusion rule algorithm was defined, and the improved D-S evidence theory was proposed. Furthermore, the improved D-S evidence theory was used to transform the BPA function into the IT2FSs based prior probability, and a new BN model for risk assessment was developed. Finally, the BN model was applied to a nuclear power plant (NPP) construction project, its risk was assessed at level I (very low risk), and the results by IT2FSs-CM and Bayesian reasoning were compared with those by common methods. The findings show that the new BN model is effective and applicable in risk assessment.

Approaches to Service Provision During the Construction Phase of Nuclear Power Plants Abroad

The paper considers geographical distribution of the countries embarking on the implementation of the first projects for the construction of a large-capacity NPP. The risks affecting the construction of nuclear power plants are presented, the analysis of possible consequences is carried out, in particular, an increase in the cost of building a nuclear power plant and an increase in the duration of its construction in novice countries that are starting to implement nuclear power plant construction projects for the first time, arising as a result of the realized risk. The measures resorted to by the novice countries for the successful implementation of the project and mitigation of risks are considered. The necessity of maintenance of NPP construction and timely preparation for its operation is considered, as well as the analysis of the approaches of the Russian operating organization to the provision of such services at the stage of NPP construction abroad is carried out, the weak competitiveness of the “architect-engineer” approach is discussed, the preference is the “technical customer” and “owner\\s engineer” approaches is provided.

Risk modeling at the pre-investment phase of nuclear powerplant construction on the international market

Involvement in the construction of nuclear power plants worldwide is a promising direction for developing the re-search and technological potential of engineering and general contracting companies in Russia. Nevertheless, Russian companies, involved in the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) abroad, need to adapt to foreign jurisdictions, their requirements and rules applied to the construction of hazardous industrial facilities, as well as unique social, economic and physical environments. In this regard, international activities, performed by Russian companies, are associated with uncertainty and risks that require the study and systematization of risk factors and development of risk management models.
 The statistical data, covering the recent ten-year period, illustrates the level of uncertainty and problems arising in this area. Over 60 % of nuclear reactors worldwide are built with a delay in construction. The consequences of such delays boost project costs. Major international corporations, implementing nuclear power plant construction projects abroad, consider the insufficient pre-project study of project organization and management issues at the stage of entering into an EPC (M) contract to be the risk factors arising in the pre-investment phase.
 Risk management modeling is considered as the main element of the system designated for managing the organizational and economic reliability of the pre-investment phase of NPP construction in the international market. It includes: (a) structuring a multiparametric risk factor space based on four sources, including, on the part of the customer, the EPC (M) contractor, the contract and the external environment; (b) a pre-investment risk management model, applicable to NPP construction abroad, to be based on the overall project risk P(rt1); (c) a mathematical model for selecting a project implementation option based on the multicriterial optimization of the future-oriented project plan-schedule.

Structure of realised risks of projects for construction nuclear power plant by Rosatom State Corporation in 2010-2020

Rosatom State Corporation is one of the world leaders in the construction of nuclear power plant (NPP), keeping a ten-year portfolio of foreign orders at the level of 140 billion $. Taking into account the long period of construction nuclear power plant, significant amount of capital investment, significant number of participants investment-construction project, critically important for constructer organizer to identify and consider possible risks of project implementation in time, developing and improving its management mechanisms. As a part of research risk analysis and systematization was performed, realized in the construction of nuclear power plants by domestic specialist in 2008-2020 (Novovoronezh NPP-2, Rostov NPP, Kursk NPP-2, Belarussian NPP, NPP Kudankulm, NPP El-Dabaa, NPP Akkuyu, NPP Rooppur, NPP Paksh-2). Based on the analysis formed 8 risk families, determined shares of these groups in general registry. The revealed structure of realized risks demonstrates, that the largest share in general registry is made up of technical and organizational risks, which are systematically given insufficient attention by researches and construction organizers. Conducted research also allows us to draw a conclusion about the most common risk concerning late detection of complex conditions of the object placement site, which was implemented in five projects out of nine considered. The results of the accomplished research can be used in the development of modern nuclear power plant construction projects in Russia and abroad, which will have a positive impact on the competitiveness of domestic projects in the global nuclear power plant market and increase their profitability. The experience of nuclear power in terms of risk management can become a driver for full-scale improvement of organizational and technological approaches in the construction of unique buildings and structures in the future.

Разработка методических подходов к оценке эффективности инвестиций в инфраструктуру с учетом зарубежного опыта (Development of Methodological Approaches to Assessing the Effectiveness of Investments in Infrastructure, Taking Into Account Foreign Experience)

Russian Abstract: В работе предложены методы оценки эффективности инфраструктурных инвестиций на макроэкономическом и проектном уровнях. С использованием панельных данных и методов пространственной эконометрики изучено влияние развития инфраструктуры на экономический рост в российских регионах. Оценено влияние создания высокотехнологичных перинатальных центров на снижение младенческой и материнской смертности с учетом эффекта кривой обучения. Разработаны методические подходы к оценке информационных рисков и рисков отклонения фактической выработки электроэнергии от проектной при реализации проектов сооружения атомных станций. English Abstract: The study proposes methods of infrastructural investments evaluation at macroeconomic and project levels. The impact of infrastructure development on economic growth in Russian regions has been studied using methods of spatial econometrics and panel data. The impact of high-tech perinatal centers opening on reducing infant and maternal mortality has been evaluated considering the effect of learning curve. The techniques to assess information risks and risks of deviation of actual electricity generation from the projected level of nuclear power plant construction projects have been developed.

Integrated project program management in the nuclear-power engineering as a driver for the interindustrial development of export-based contractors of the Russian Federation

Modern approaches to implementation of nuclear power plant construction projects all over the world are based on a symbiosis of project and process-based management, which are transformed within the conditions of information economy into integrated management that increases the efficiency of the project by combining capabilities and interests of all participants in the investment cycle. In the world market of nuclear power plant construction leading positions of the State Atomic Energy Corporation «Rosatom» create an environment for a highly efficient technology transfer, and also determine fundamentally new opportunities that offered for all high-tech domestic companies. It should be noted that in the context of globalization, participants number limitation of nuclear power plant construction projects’ integrated project management exclusively by structures of the owner, designer and contractor, which often included in «Rosatom» State Corporation, transforms project into an isolated system that does not have the potential for strategic interindustrial development. Under present circumstances, it seems appropriate to consider the process of managing a projects program in the field of nuclear power plant construction, which allows synchronizing strategic activities of domestic high-tech export-based contractors in order to achieve a common synergistic effect and ensure high economic competitiveness and technological leadership of each participant.

Making Construction Cost Estimate of Nuclear Power Plants Credible: Assessing Impact of Unknown Unknowns

Credibility requires predictability. Nuclear power plant (NPP) construction projects tend to be large and expensive, sometimes with high cost overruns far beyond those that might have been expected or predicted due to usual and recognized uncertainties and variations (e.g., in labor and materials costs combined with multiyear duration and complex construction logistics). This unaccounted for uncertainty brings the credibility of new NPP build projects into question and may prevent future projects from going forward. It is believed that the high initial capital cost of nuclear power is less of a hindering factor than the uncertainty about that cost. For nuclear power to regain credibility and enable future NPP construction projects, this unexpected uncertainty, or unknown unknown, needs to be assessed. Regular (expected) uncertainties (known unknowns) were addressed previously in a paper where the Iman-Conover method was used to account for correlated uncertainties. This paper addresses the impact of unexpected events (unknown unknowns), such as the Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) accident. For this purpose, NPP construction in the United States is divided into two periods: pre-1979 (NPPs completed before the 1979 TMI-2 accident), and post-1979 (NPPs under construction when the accident happened and completed later). The latter group experienced significant schedule and budget overruns due to the change in regulation imposed after NPP construction was already under way. Analyzed a posteriori, this event and the escalated cost for the second group of NPPs was used to study the impact of a representative unexpected event. An approach was developed to assess the range of potential risks, including those due to such unexpected events, and thus enable assigning appropriate contingencies. A traditional large four-loop pressurized water reactor [PWR12-Better Experience (BE)] was considered. With the inputs derived from the pre-1979 data, the expected total capital investment cost (TCIC) mean value for the PWR12-BE is found to be $3.3 billion, with a contingency of $1.3 billion, which corresponds to 39.4% of the TCIC mean. If the unknown unknowns are taken into account based on the post-1979 data, the TCIC mean value increases to $9.4 billion, with a cost contingency that is 108% of the TCIC mean derived for the pre-1979 NPPs. Based on the experience-based assumed probability of unexpected events with large financial impact, it is then possible to derive an adequate contingency. The presented analysis offers a possible approach to treat unknown unknowns and to assess their impact on cost, providing the required contingency, as well as uncertainty in the construction time. In a broader context, this may provide quantitative tools to support making long-term energy policy decisions of new considered nuclear power projects.

A novel approach for occupational health and safety and environment risk assessment for nuclear power plant construction project

Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction project is a mega one with high level of occupational health and safety and environment (OHSE) risks, and it is necessary to propose an approach for the OHSE risk assessment so as to prevent the OHSE accidents or reduce their outcomes. However, there has not been such an approach due to the high uncertainty and complexity of NPP construction project. Therefore, this paper proposed a novel approach for the OHSE risk assessment which includes systematically identifying the OHSE risks by using brainstorming method, establishing an OHSE risk assessment index system by using Delphi method, and formulating a mathematical model by combining set pair analysis (SPA), trapezoidal fuzzy number (TPFN), and set-valued statistics (SVS) methods for determining the overall OHSE risk level for NPP construction project. The approach was used to assess the OHSE risks for the NPP construction project in East China, and its overall OHSE risk level was assessed at level 2 (low OHSE risk level). In addition, the problems in the OHSE risk management were found, and the corresponding OHSE risk treatments for these problems were implemented. The results showed that the approach helped reduce the OHSE risk level and protect the workers' occupational health and safety and the environment while the NPP construction project was under construction.

Estimating the efficiency of nuclear power plant construction projects considering the impact |of information risks and risks of deviation of actual electric power generation from designed

Estimating the efficiency of nuclear power plant construction projects considering the impact |of information risks and risks of deviation of actual electric power generation from designed

Manufacturing Risk Identification in the Steel Industry

The steel manufacturing industry is an inseparable part of the nuclear power plant construction project. This industry is a business full of dynamics, risks, and challenges. The implementation of risk management becomes an obligation that must be executed in managing this very complex project. In general, risk management in manufacturing includes steps to understand and identify potential problems that may occur, evaluate, monitor, and handle risks. The main risk management objectives are to prevent or minimize adverse effects due to unforeseen events through risk aversion or preparation of contingency plans related to those risks. This paper describes the identification of risk factors and assessments using the Boston Matrix. The results of the analysis show that unrealistic schedules, skill not appropriate, not available equipment, transportation barriers to the workshop, fluctuations in steel material prices, wrong specifications from owner, incorrect interpretation of specifications, misinterpretation of drawings, incorrect volume, material storage, wrong cutting, incorrect installation, and wrong order are factors with moderate and high risk.

Construction of Nuclear Power Plants in the Middle East with the Participation of Russian Companies in the Context of Improving the Region’s Energy Security

This article examines the current state of nuclear power in the Middle East. The construction of nuclear power plants is closely related to the issues of energy security in the region. The necessity and prerequisites for diversification of the energy balance in the countries of the region, as well as the need for a reliable source of electricity, which will completely solve the problem of growing demand, are analyzed. The authors analyze the role of the Russian Federation in the development of nuclear energy in the Middle East and assess the prospects in the market of services in this sector, consider cooperation in the nuclear sector with all states of the region, identify the advantages and prospects of Russia’s possible participation in the implementation of nuclear power plant construction projects in the Middle East. The most promising direction for the development of nuclear energy today is the use of fast neutron technology and a closed cycle that allows the processing of spent nuclear fuel. The possession of such technologies has a significant potential for export and international cooperation and is a significant technological advantage of Russia. Rosatom group has competitive advantages in the market of nuclear technologies, including in the Middle East, as it has competencies in all parts of the production and technological chain of nuclear energy. The Russian Federation participates in many projects related to the construction of nuclear power plants and related infrastructure and plays a significant role in the development of nuclear energy in the Middle East, cooperates with all countries in the region that are promising for cooperation in this direction, having intergovernmental agreements, which include the construction of nuclear power plants with such States as Egypt, Jordan, Iran, UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and memorandums of cooperation with Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman.

The Effect of Conflict on Collaboration and Performance in Nuclear Power Plant Construction Projects

The Effect of Conflict on Collaboration and Performance in Nuclear Power Plant Construction Projects

Formation of strategic networks under high uncertainty of a megaproject

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of strategic networks between second-tier actors in the context of a construction megaproject. The research question addressed is: How do second-tier strategic networks form in high uncertainty projects? Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative single-case study, which examines strategic network formation in the context of a nuclear power plant construction project. Focused interviews with parties involved or having an interest in the megaproject were used as the primary data collection method. Findings The conditions for network formation in a megaproject context are specified with a focus on the determinants of uncertainty. A total of six second-tier network types with different formation conditions and potential roles in the project are characterized. Research limitations/implications Analyzing the prerequisites of strategic network formation and examining the characteristics of various networks (that are either planned, taking shape or existing between the companies) in this specific context creates a basis for further study of network formation over network levels. Practical implications The formation of strategic networks is critical for many actors in the construction and related industries who are willing to participate in large projects. With the help of our findings, managers are able to define opportunities to orchestrate early phase network formation processes in uncertain circumstances, such as megaprojects. Originality/value The contribution of this paper lies in the close examination of strategic network formation from the second-tier actor perspective under circumstances of high uncertainty related to the early phases of megaprojects. Likewise, the illustration of different types of evolving nets in different phases of uncertain projects offers a contribution to the present discussion on strategic nets.

Comparison of Risk Assessment for a Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process

Recently, plant construction throughout the world, including nuclear power plant construction, has grown significantly. The scale of Korea’s nuclear power plant construction in particular, has increased gradually since it won a contract for a nuclear power plant construction project in the United Arab Emirates in 2009. However, time and monetary resources have been lost in some nuclear power plant construction sites due to lack of risk management ability. The need to prevent losses at nuclear power plant construction sites has become more urgent because it demands professional skills and large-scale resources. Therefore, in this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) were applied in order to make comparisons between decision-making methods, to assess the potential risks at nuclear power plant construction sites. To suggest the appropriate choice between two decision-making methods, a survey was carried out. From the results, the importance and the priority of 24 risk factors, classified by process, cost, safety, and quality, were analyzed. The FAHP was identified as a suitable method for risk assessment of nuclear power plant construction, compared with risk assessment using the AHP. These risk factors will be able to serve as baseline data for risk management in nuclear power plant construction projects.

Contract-Boundary-Spanning Governance Mechanisms: Conceptualizing Fragmented and Globalized Production as Collectively Governed Entities

Conceptualizing how private actors can and should control their supply chains is a tricky question with both economic and legal dimensions. The topic is of extreme importance in today’s global economy. On the one hand, this importance is highlighted by events such as the catastrophic and deadly collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in Bangladesh and the economic fiasco of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant construction project in Finland, both arguably caused by the lack of effective supply chain governance. On the other hand, the potential benefits of successful supply chain governance, shown by examples such as open book accounting in automotive manufacturing, provide another perspective on the importance of focusing on supply chain governance. In this paper, I provide a framework for conceptualizing supply chain governance from a legal perspective. First, I combine the governance analytics of global value chain theory with research into compliance mechanisms and practical examples of contract boundary spanning governance mechanisms. This provides a preliminary typology that helps distinguish between adequate and inadequate governance mechanisms. Second, in contractually organized supply chains, governance mechanisms necessarily transgress contract boundaries and thus privity. This leads me to refer to them as contract-boundary-spanning governance mechanisms. To help conceptualize the requirements for attributing legal normative effects to such mechanisms, I propose using Teubner’s factual framework for evaluating liability in contract networks. Combined together, the typology and the framework provide a tool for evaluating and discussing the appropriateness of liability in different factual situations. This tool is not limited to any specific jurisdiction or doctrine and is thus trans-substantive. It enables further comparison of the legal doctrines available in different jurisdictions and transnationally for their potential in establishing liability in different configurations of supply chain governance.

Evaluation of Construction RCB Exterior Wall Formwork according to Placing Height on Nuclear Power Plant

Technologies for reducing construction duration are key factors in nuclear power plant construction projects, as a reduction in construction duration at the construction phase leads to a reduction in construction cost and an increase in profits through the early operation of the nuclear power plant. To analyze the constructability of the height of single-layer placement of formwork for the Reactor Containment Building (RCB) exterior wall through lateral pressure according to the height of concrete placement, the deformation criteria for formwork, and a new form design, `MIDAS GEN (hereinafter referred to as MIDAS)` is used in this study. The cost and workload of formwork are derived according to the unit of height of the RCB exterior wall. Based on the result, it was found that the higher the RCB exterior wall, the higher the material cost, and the less the construction duration and the less the total number of formwork layers. Based on this result, it is believed that the material cost and the construction duration can be appropriately determined according to the formwork height.

Development of a Progress Management System Integrated with the Quality Inspection Process: Case of a nuclear power plant construction project in Korea

In this paper, the authors present the concept of a progress management system that synchronizes the quality inspection process with integrated cost-schedule information in construction projects. In general, construction progress has been measured using subjective judgments by field managers or extensively processed cost data. A practical progress management system should be able to maintain and provide objective and reliable progress data on time without extra data processing. The quality inspection process can produce appropriate data for this purpose. However, in conventional construction management practices, progress measurement and quality inspection have been separated. In order to design and implement a system that synchronizes them, the available information that can be provided from current processes were identified and connected using the following steps: 1) analyzing the quality inspection process, 2) identifying the means for measuring progress, 3) determining identical elements in various schedules, and 4) linking quality inspection lots to the means for measuring progress. An on-line system was developed and applied to a nuclear power plant construction project in Korea. The results from operating it show that the conflicts in progress determination between clients and contractors were reduced, and the costs and time for administrative tasks involving the processing of progress management and quality inspection data were saved.

Nuclear Construction Quality Assurance Systems

Practices implemented on nuclear power plant construction projects to assure acceptable construction quality are presented and discussed. The highly active role of the Federal government in the nuclear construction process in presented in detail. Quality assurance requirements imposed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are also discussed. Various organizational structures and quality assurance programs which have developed in response to Federal requirements are presented and compared. Various levels of owner (utility) involvement in the quality assurance of design and construction activities are compared, and reasons are cited for the trend toward increased owner involvement in quality assurance activities. Federal requirements for objective evidence of quality and the tremendous volumes of documentation which have resulted are also considered.