Human factors issues for multi-modular reactor units

Smaller and multi-modular reactors (MMR) will be highly technologically-advanced systems allowing more system flexibility to reactor configurations (e.g., addition/removal of reactor units). While the technical and financial advantages of such systems may be numerous, MMR presents many human factors challenges that may pose vulnerabilities to plant safety. An important human factors challenge in MMR operation and performance is the monitoring of data from multiple plants from centralized control rooms where human operators are responsible for interpreting, assessing, and responding to different system states (e.g., simultaneously monitoring refueling at one plant while vigilant to another plant’s normal operating state). Furthermore, the operational, safety, and performance requirements for MMR can significantly change current staffing models and roles, the mode in which information is displayed, and the approach for conducting procedures and training. Consequently, addressing human factors concerns in MMR is essential in reducing plant risk.