Need for Change Towards Systems Thinking in the U.S. Nuclear Industry

Until recently, nuclear has been largely considered as an established power source with no need for new developments in its generation and the management of its power plants. However, this idea is rapidly changing due to reasons discussed in this study. Many U.S. nuclear power plants are receiving life extensions decades beyond their originally planned lives, which requires the consideration of new risks and uncertainties. This research first investigates those potential risks and sheds light on how nuclear utilities perceive and plan for these risks. After that, it examines the need for systems thinking for extended operation of nuclear reactors in the U.S. Finally, it concludes that U.S. nuclear power plants are good examples of systems in need of change from a traditional managerial view to a systems approach.

I. Introduction

A system is a group of inter-related subsystems, which also interacts with and therefore affects and is affected by the environment that surrounds it. A system is an open entity. A closed system, however, does not relate to other systems outside of its boundaries, and its awareness of internal subsystematic relationships is also weak. Decisions in a closed system can be more tactical rather than strategic, while in an open system strategic decisions drive tactical decisions. As a result, short-term decisions support long-term decisions in open systems. In this context, it can be expected that open systems focus on identifying, assessing and planning for potential future risks and uncertainties more effectively than closed systems. When a company is likened to a system, if it is an open system, due to the nature of its systems approach towards business, various divisions may work together in solving problems. If it is a closed system, however, due to the character of the traditional view, company divisions may not interact with one another to examine and solve problems. In this study, the term system represents the same concept as open systems do, while the term traditional system refers to the one that shows the typical characteristics of a closed system. This paper finds nuclear power plants as systems in need of change from closed to open systems based on recent developments in their environment.