[Exclusive] Wolsong Unit 1 to Be Decommissioned Using 'Digital Twin' Technology

Introduction of 'Digital Twin' in Nuclear Plant Decommissioning... Wolseong Unit 1 as 'No. 1'
Early Closure in 2019 under Moon Administration... Decommissioning as Early as 2027
Building 'Virtual Twin' by 2026... Reducing Radiation Exposure Concerns
Maximizing Safety and Economic Efficiency in Decommissioning... 'Unmanned Decommissioning' Also Under Review

Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, which was shut down in 2019. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is applying 'digital twin' technology to the dismantling work of Wolseong Unit 1, which was permanently shut down in 2019. The purpose is to maximize the safety and economic efficiency of the dismantling work through prior simulations using a 'twin' of Wolseong Unit 1 created in a virtual space. KHNP is also considering 'unmanned dismantling' using artificial intelligence (AI) robots and other technologies.

According to comprehensive reporting on the 30th, KHNP recently began the construction of a digital twin for Wolseong Unit 1. Digital twin technology involves creating a virtual twin of reality in a virtual space and applying data obtained through simulations to the real world. KHNP plans to conduct a feasibility study from this month until November and then fully launch the construction of the Wolseong Unit 1 digital twin early next year.

Wolseong Unit 1 is the second nuclear power plant in South Korea to be permanently shut down, following Kori Unit 1. It was an early-closed nuclear power plant under the Moon Jae-in administration in 2019 and was regarded as a symbol of the 'nuclear phase-out' policy. KHNP expects to begin dismantling Wolseong Unit 1 around 2027. Accordingly, KHNP aims to secure digital twin technology for nuclear power plant dismantling by the end of 2026.

KHNP decided to introduce digital twin technology to the dismantling work of Wolseong Unit 1 to reduce the risk of industrial accidents. Since nuclear power plant dismantling takes 13 to 15 years and is conducted in high-radiation areas such as the reactor, there is a risk of serious accidents such as worker radiation exposure.

Economic efficiency can also be achieved. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy estimates the dismantling cost of a nuclear power plant at 872.6 billion KRW per unit. Considering variables such as the lack of experience in dismantling large nuclear power plants and the degree of radioactive contamination of facilities and sites, dismantling costs could increase by nearly 100 billion KRW. In fact, the final dismantling cost of the Yankee nuclear power plant in Connecticut, USA, was about 10% higher than initially expected. However, by using digital twin technology to conduct multiple precise simulations before dismantling, cost increases due to unforeseen variables can be prevented.

KHNP is also exploring the possibility of 'unmanned dismantling.' The plan is to actively utilize 4th Industrial Revolution technologies such as AI and robots to dismantle nuclear power plants without deploying workers. In unmanned dismantling, workers would only monitor from non-radiation areas through intelligent CCTV and other means. KHNP already developed the 'Prime' robot for seawater pipe inspection and deployed it at Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant last year. KHNP plans to replace 100% of high-risk pipe inspection work with robots by next year.