Study on Risk Based Maintenance Method for Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

This paper introduces the Risk Based Maintenance method for Nuclear power plants (NPPs) in US. By implementing this method, one US nuclear power plant has achieved huge cost and Man-REM savings. These reductions have been brought by optimization of inspection/maintenance planning. As a result of that optimization, many NPPs have been operating at 18- or 24-months cycles and their utilities can get much income. To achieve these objects in Japan, Hitachi has started to construct knowledge database that is based on manufacturing know-how, engineering and/or design skills, operating data and laboratory data. Furthermore, Hitachi is trying to make a criterion that is based on probability of unplanned shutdown to determine risk significance of nuclear power plants.