To extend plant life, critical investment decisions need to be made based on complex factors ranging from economic and regulatory affairs to infrastructure and component obsolescence. If not managed effectively, these decisions can pose an overwhelming challenge to utilities.

Fuel Cycle Costs (enrichment, fabrication, and backend) make up a significant portion of a plant’s operating costs and must be reduced to remain competitive in the ever-changing energy landscape.

BWR fuel failures create significant repair or replacement expenses, extended outages, and in many cases mid-cycle outages. Failure mechanisms include debris fretting, pellet cladding interaction, and manufacturing defects.

As BWR plants age, unplanned emergent repairs are required to maintain plant operability and reduce downtime.

Experts with decades of knowledge within the nuclear industry are leaving at an alarming rate. Utilities struggle to bridge the gap in experience level as quickly as needed.