IAEA Launches New CRP to Revolutionize Nuclear Facility Decommissioning with Digital Technologies

The project, titled "Deployment of Innovative Digital Technologies for Efficient Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities" (DEDICATE), is designed to enhance international collaboration and support countries in improving their decommissioning operations.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has introduced a groundbreaking Coordinated Research Project (CRP) aimed at transforming the decommissioning of nuclear facilities through the application of innovative digital technologies. The project, titled "Deployment of Innovative Digital Technologies for Efficient Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities" (DEDICATE), is designed to enhance international collaboration and support countries in improving their decommissioning operations.

Decommissioning a nuclear facility involves a multi-phase process, including site characterization, decontamination, dismantling, and the final survey to ensure no residual radioactivity. Given the increasing number of nuclear power plants expected to reach the end of their operational lifespans in the coming decades, the demand for efficient and safe decommissioning will grow substantially.

The DEDICATE project will explore the potential of emerging technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, to streamline the complex activities involved in decommissioning. These advancements aim to improve planning, data and knowledge management, and execution, increasing both safety and sustainability in nuclear decommissioning.

“As digital advancements continue to reshape various industries, the DEDICATE project stands at the forefront of bringing these advancements to the nuclear decommissioning sector, increasing safety, efficiency, and sustainability,” said Gloria Kwong, Head of the IAEA’s Decommissioning and Environmental Remediation Section.

Key Objectives of the CRP:

Data Management and Documentation: Deploy digital technologies for effective management of both legacy and up-to-date data, facilitating comprehensive documentation for decommissioning activities.

Benchmarking Innovative Technologies: Provide opportunities to benchmark digital technologies, including robotics and remote systems, to optimize the planning and implementation of decommissioning operations.

Artificial Intelligence Integration: Develop guidance on using open-source AI tools, such as machine learning and generative AI, to optimize dismantling processes and associated waste management.

This CRP represents a major step in reshaping how nuclear facilities are decommissioned, ensuring that Member States are equipped with advanced tools and approaches to meet the future demands of nuclear safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The project will provide vital benchmarking opportunities, helping to guide the development of global best practices in this critical area of nuclear energy management.