The annual EPRI Technology Transfer Awards recognize members who have successfully transferred our research into applied results. The award winners have shown exceptional application of EPRI research and technology in solving a problem of size and significance, championing a technology both with their companies and across the industry, driving progress in the electricity sector, and providing meaningful benefits for their companies’ stakeholders and for society.
EPRI recognizes and celebrates the hard work, commitment, and leadership demonstrated by these award winners to help make electricity more reliable, efficient, affordable, safe, and environmentally responsible.
The Nuclear Power Council Executive Committee reviewed the award nominations, providing their industry-wide perspective, and selected 14 for Technology Transfer awards, recognizing 75 recipients in 15 EPRI member companies worldwide.
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:
- Successful application of research results
- Magnitude of the problem solved
- Impact and quantifiable benefits of the application to the company, customers, and/or society at large
- Leadership, innovation, and initiative demonstrated
2024 Nuclear Technology Transfer Award Winners
EPRI Contact
- Laura Thompson
- lauthompson@epri.com
Application of EPRI’s Advanced Eddy Current NDE Technique Enhances Safety and Maintenance Efficiency for Safety-Related Heat Exchangers at PSEG
A team at Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (PSEG) successfully implemented an advanced eddy current nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technique for safety-related air-to-water heat exchangers at its Salem Nuclear Generating Station. The technique, developed in collaboration with EPRI’s subject matter experts, allowed PSEG to comply with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Generic Letter 89-13.
During inspections in 2021 and 2022, the PSEG team identified and addressed tube defects, ensuring primary containment integrity. The enhanced inspection technique allows for a predictable preventative maintenance schedule, enabling timely repair decisions and reducing unplanned outage risk. This first-of-a-kind solution is now available to other EPRI members, offering significant safety and cost-saving benefits across the nuclear power industry.
Innovative Advances in Chemistry and Radiation Safety Realized through Remote Monitoring and Smart Chemistry Applications at CNNP
With the support of EPRI’s technical expertise and resources, China National Nuclear Corporation’s (CNNC’s) Sanmen Nuclear Power Company Ltd. (SMNPC), Hainan Nuclear Power Company, and Jiangsu Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., have each made significant contributions to advancing nuclear power safety and operational efficiency at their sites, setting benchmarks applicable to the broader nuclear power industry.
A team at SMNPC applied EPRI’s Remote Monitoring Technology (RMT) guidelines to establish a comprehensive remote radiation monitoring system that integrates personal dosimetry, environmental radiation monitoring, and real-time supervision capabilities.
In a separate initiative based on EPRI research, SMNPC applied EPRI’s Smart Chemistry research to develop and implement its own Smart Chemistry project, which incorporates advanced technologies like online ion chromatography and intelligent inspection robotics.
A team at Hainan Nuclear also applied EPRI’s Smart Chemistry research – this time to aid in the development of a self-regenerative conductance measurement device for China's nuclear power units. Using electrodialysis and ion exchange membrane technologies, the team improved ion suppression performance and enhanced safety and efficiency in monitoring chemical parameters.
At Jiangsu Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.’s Tianwan Nuclear Power Station, a team applied EPRI research to revolutionize chemical condition supervision with the introduction of an intelligent system for anomaly diagnosis and control.
Pioneering Aging Management for Neutron Absorbers Across Global Nuclear Plants
Three groundbreaking projects led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), EDF Energy, and a joint effort by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Southern Nuclear Operating Co. demonstrate the power of EPRI’s neutron absorber aging management research, which provides critical data and cost savings for global nuclear power plants. These projects address the challenges of neutron absorber material degradation and highlight the innovative application of EPRI’s Industrywide Learning Aging Management (i-LAMP) program.
KHNP developed a standardized procedure to manage neutron absorber materials and incorporated EPRI’s performance testing and guidelines to resolve regulatory issues. It integrated EPRI’s i-LAMP strategy for long-term management and collaborated with EPRI’s Neutron Absorber User Group to stay ahead of material degradation challenges. This supported regulatory compliance and saved approximately $7.2 million per unit by preventing additional expenditures.
An EDF team marked the first implementation of the i-LAMP program. By adopting i-LAMP even before NRC approval, the team avoided costly and unreliable in-situ measurements, saving millions in re-racking and analysis costs. Its collaboration with EPRI provided a safer, more effective monitoring approach for neutron absorbers, setting a precedent for other utilities.
TVA and Southern Nuclear teamed up to use EPRI’s i-LAMP to manage aging neutron absorbers in spent fuel pools. By sharing coupon samples between plants and innovating encapsulation techniques, they reduced high-risk work and improved the reliability of neutron absorber monitoring. This collaborative project will provide invaluable data to support aging management across the nuclear industry.
Leveraging EPRI's Siting Guide for New Nuclear Development
Two projects conducted by the Salt River Project and Bruce Power demonstrate innovative approaches to evaluate the feasibility of nuclear energy projects using EPRI’s advanced research and resources.
The Salt River Project team evaluated the potential of converting its coal-fired Coronado Generating Station to nuclear power, using EPRI’s Siting Guide and Technology Selection Guide. This guidance enabled the team to systematically assess site suitability and identify viable nuclear technologies that align with its business objectives. The project’s findings will serve as a model for other utilities facing coal plant retirements, supporting the broader energy transition.
Bruce Power, meanwhile, integrated EPRI’s Siting Guide with advanced tools, including Geographical Information Systems (GIS), to create a robust and comprehensive understanding of the Bruce Power site, to support potential nuclear expansion of up to 4800 MW. This approach helped the Bruce Power team to evaluate site feasibility based on environmental, technical, and socio-economic factors, and will support responsible decision-making aligned with Ontario's net-zero goals. The process will be fundamental to support engagement with Indigenous Nations and Communities, and the public. The methodology used here sets a precedent for future nuclear projects, particularly in its use of innovative tools and support for engagement.
Team Pioneers Underwater Welding Technology for Reactor Separator Repair, Achieving Major Cost Savings and Enhanced Plant Availability
Nucleoelectrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) leveraged EPRI’s support to achieve an innovative underwater welding repair of the internal reactor separator at a 7.5-meter water depth. EPRI’s Welding and Repair Technology Center (WRTC) played a crucial role, offering technical expertise through meetings and guidance on ASME Section III NG weld design to ensure structural integrity. With key references from EPRI’s BWR Vessel and Internals Project and guidance related to ASME’s Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), the project progressed through feasibility studies, testing, and qualification, leading to in-reactor repair.
This complex and innovative first-of-a-kind underwater welding repair in the reactor’s lower plenum received regulatory approval, saving more than $1 billion in indirect costs and reducing repair time from over four years to just nine months. The approach significantly enhanced plant availability, proving effective where traditional methods were not feasible due to access challenges, limited electronics, and radiation constraints. EPRI’s involvement ensured rigorous reviews and validation, enabling NA-SA to deliver a safe and reliable underwater welding solution that sets a new standard in reactor maintenance.
AI Applications Streamline NDE Data Analysis for Reactor Vessel Head Examinations, Reducing Inspection Times and Enhancing Reliability
Constellation Energy Generation LLC, Entergy, and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) worked with EPRI to deploy a groundbreaking AI-based tool for analyzing ultrasonic inspection data from reactor vessel head penetrations. EPRI’s role included sponsoring model development and providing on-site support during field trials with Constellation Energy and Entergy. EPRI worked closely with each utility to integrate the technology into existing inspection processes, helping to ensure that the implementation did not affect outage schedules. EPRI’s involvement with TVA was limited to supporting its inspection vendor.
The AI model, designed for automated defect recognition in Time of Flight Tip Diffraction (TOFD) data, was first deployed at Constellation Energy’s Byron Unit 2 NPP during a 2022 refueling outage. It subsequently was applied at Entergy’s ANO Unit 2 NPP in 2023, and later used by TVA during inspections at its Watts Bar Unit 2 site. Field trials provided critical performance assessments and fine-tuning of the AI model using real-world data, enabling further development and refinement.
These pilot projects marked the first known use of AI and machine learning (ML) for ultrasonic examinations in nuclear power plants, demonstrating the potential for significant time savings. Review time for inspection data was reduced from four days to just three hours, cutting outage costs, reducing human error, and enabling quicker identification of potential issues. These projects have set the stage for broader industry adoption, earning positive feedback from regulators and highlighting a path toward more efficient, reliable nuclear inspections.
Wolf Creek Implements Continuous Online Monitoring of Vertical Pump/Motor Sets Using EPRI’s Failure Modes Approach
A team at Evergy’s Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station collaborated with EPRI to implement continuous online monitoring for large vertical pump/motor sets. Using EPRI’s failure modes analysis approach, the team integrated Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) and vibration monitoring, transitioning from time-based to condition-based maintenance. This shift enhanced equipment reliability and reduced manual preventive maintenance (PM) activities.
EPRI provided detailed analysis, guided the integration of ESA and vibration technologies, and identified gaps in Wolf Creek’s maintenance strategy. The new approach addressed approximately 75% of potential failure modes and improved random failure monitoring. ESA and vibration sensors were installed on 11 pump/motor sets, eliminating or extending various PM tasks.
The Wolf Creek facility is the first U.S. nuclear site to adopt this approach, significantly boosting operational efficiency with an estimated cost savings of about $3.85 million over the life of the plant, with more savings expected with expansion to safety-related equipment. This project exemplifies how collaboration and innovative monitoring can redefine maintenance practices, helping ensure reliability in nuclear operations across the industry.
Supplemental Subsequent License Renewal Surveillance Capsule Installation to Support BWRVIP Integrated Surveillance Program Extension
Constellation Energy Generation LLC volunteered to be the host plant for the installation of a Supplemental Subsequent License Renewal (SSLR) surveillance capsule. The capsule is a key element of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-approved plan to address second (or subsequent) license renewal (SLR) by extending the Boiling Water Reactor Vessel and Internals Program (BWRVIP) reactor vessel radiation embrittlement Integrated Surveillance Program (ISP). All U.S. BWR plants rely on the ISP for compliance with 10 CFR 50 Appendix H, and this saves them from individual surveillance of capsule removal, testing, and evaluation.
EPRI and the Constellation Energy team developed an innovative solution for inserting new capsules into their reactor. These capsules will be irradiated for 12 years and withdrawn in the fall of 2035, after which the high radiation effects on the embrittlement of the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steel specimens will be evaluated. This will provide the surveillance data needed to support U.S. BWR fleet operations for at least 80 years.
From a technology transfer standpoint, this NRC-approved method of addressing reactor vessel radiation embrittlement for extended life can be used by other utilities around the world that need to extend their surveillance programs.
Application of EPRI High-Energy Arcing Fault (HEAF) Methodology for Fire Risk Realism and Cost Savings
Constellation was an early adopter of the HEAF methodology and worked in a short timeframe to begin rollout of the new method across the fleet. Constellation supported the development of the new HEAF methodology by serving as a pilot, they understood the benefits that the method would have in improving realism in fire PRA modeling. Constellation recognized that the method improved their understanding of plant risk, and they provided valuable feedback to the EPRI team. This collaboration helped confirm the acceptability of the methodology for industry use.
Constellation quickly incorporated the method into two plant fire models and is continuing to implement it at all sites in the fleet. Shortly after the full incorporation of the HEAF method at the first two plants, the organization was faced with two separate plant issues that required risk insights from the fire risk models. In both cases, the realism introduced into the fire models by the updated HEAF methodology resulted in improved fire risk metrics.
In both cases, using the model including improved HEAF methods more accurately estimated risk and provided valuable risk-informed insights. Implementing the new HEAF methodology allowed Constellation to provide more realistic fire PRA results. Realistic PRA results are the basis for numerous risk-informed programs. Risk-informed decision-making is improved with more accurate PRA models and allows more focus on risk-significant systems and equipment. The HEAF methodology implementation has improved the fire PRA modeling accuracy at Constellation and will continue to improve outcomes for risk-informed programs.
Application of Management Approaches and New Inspection Techniques to Mitigate Vibration Fatigue Failures in Small-bore Branch Piping
At China’s nuclear plants, small-bore branch pipes typically are arranged on site without detailed piping configuration analysis. EPRI provides specific and systematic recommendations to nuclear power plants for mitigating fatigue failures on small-bore branch pipes, which helps improve operational safety and economic efficiency.
Shandong Nuclear Power Company Ltd. assembled a multi-disciplinary team to develop an integrated small-bore piping vibration fatigue management plan based on EPRI’s Materials Reliability Program (MRP) reports. The team developed a comprehensive set of management guidelines and a relatively complete phased array ultrasonic inspection technology system for small-bore branch piping, including the design and processing of a set of simulation test blocks to verify the scanning technology ability, the testing of a process suitable for the general inspection of small-bore pipe socket fillet welds, the preparation of inspection procedures, and their application in on-site inspection and troubleshooting. These regulations have been applied to the inspection of socket welds on site, marking the first instance of such an application in China.
1st International Application of Risk-Informed Programmatic Approach for Examination Requirements
During pre-service examinations at Nawah Energy Company’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, more than 100 piping and component welds were identified that would not meet the deterministic/generic ASME Section XI-specified examination volume for the first in-service inspection interval. Using decades of experience in applying risk-informed in-service inspection methodologies, EPRI has developed a process for identifying a component-specific volume of primary interest (VPI) that is based on plant-specific materials and operating conditions. This process, approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2019, requires that a plant-specific degradation mechanism (DM) assessment be performed for each weld location to identify the areas in which a flaw is most likely to occur.
At the time the project with Nawah was initiated, the alternative process had been successfully implemented in the U.S., but the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant application represented the first-of-a-kind application within an international regulatory environment and the first-time application of a new build. This project demonstrated the applicability of the technology at an actual plant site, including the support of international regulatory interactions.
Development and Implementation of the Crud-Induced Power Shift (CIPS) Index for Optimized Core Designs
Crud induced power shift (CIPS) is a core-wide operational issue in which subcooled nucleate boiling causes fuel crud to deposit in the upper span of the fuel assembly. CIPS risk assessment methods using BOAv4.0 are conservative because of the uncertainty associated with the crud source term. The CIPS Index provides a more accurate benchmark cycle while ensuring core designs continue to have low CIPS risk.
Duke Energy had applied the BOAv4.0 CIPS risk assessment methodology to several candidate core designs for Catawba Unit 2 Cycle 27, but the core designs showed elevated CIPS risk. In collaboration with EPRI’s BOA Development Team, a Duke Energy team used core flux maps from prior Catawba 2 cycles and applied the CIPS Index method to develop an alternate benchmark core design for Cycle 27. The improved benchmark was used with the BOAv4.0 analysis to show Cycle 27 had lower CIPS risk, allowing the team to avoid additional work for approving and monitoring higher CIPS risk core designs. The method will facilitate potential fuel cost savings in the PWR fleet.
Advanced Consideration of Maintenance Requirements Reduces Design Rework and Helps Ensure Maintainability of Compact Plants
Rolls-Royce SMR Limited aims to deliver a power station concept capable of high levels of availability while meeting levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) goals. This requires an understanding of the plant’s examination, maintenance, inspection, and testing (EMIT) requirements during the early design phase.
The team at Rolls-Royce SMR used EPRI’s Preventive Maintenance Basis Database (PMBD) to identify relevant EMIT activities. As a result, a detailed maintenance schedule was developed much earlier in the design life cycle than was typical for a new plant design. Ordinarily, data in the PMBD is only available once concept-specific Failure Modes Effect Analyses have been completed, suppliers have been engaged to identify the EMIT tasks, and the supplier data has been reviewed and optimized. Having this data early derisks the physical plant layout, supporting an optimal layout by considering the frequency and extent of access needed to each component. Optimizing the layout using this data is key to helping ensure that the new plant is maintainable, which should lead to high levels of availability.
Optimization Study of Hydrostatic Test Requirements and Code Conversion Eliminates Burdensome 10-year Hydrostatic Test for Class 1 Boundary
China National Nuclear Power (CNNP)’s M310 units (Areva design) needed an alternative to the mandated 10-year hydrostatic test at 1.2 times of the design pressure for the class 1 boundary per RSE-M code. The test was both costly and insufficient to ensure necessary structural integrity. Staff from EPRI’s Pressurized Water Reactor Materials Reliability Program (MRP), Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Program, and Steam Generator Management Program (SGMP) gathered and distilled information from EPRI reports, selected members, documents from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and regulator opinions to provide actionable insights to CNNP.
CNNP used this information as well as EPRI guidelines to develop a technical basis that enabled the utility to justify the elimination of the hydrostatic test and to conduct a leakage test at operating pressure, along with the ASME XI Inservice Inspection (ISI) exam, as an alternative. With EPRI assistance, CNNP updated its ISI program per ASME XI and obtained timely approval from the regulator, which ensured the pilot plant would successfully complete the 10-year outage as planned.