‘What ifs?’ for nuclear plants: Sophisticated reliability analyses and risk assessments are aimed at predicting failures and their consequences

Hundreds of thousands of electrical and electronic components are imbedded in the systems that operate and monitor a typical nuclear power generating station. To predict the reliability of systems containing these components and the risks involved in operating these stations, the nuclear power industry is slowly but surely accepting reliability analysis. Using these techniques, the analyst systematically challenges the design by asking a series of “what if” questions, concerning potential component failures, always probing for design weaknesses. Many utilities are now employing such methods in reliability analyses directed to improving the availability of their power-generating facilities and thus increasing the energy output obtained for each dollar invested in these facilities. Using qualitative and, more recently, quantitative techniques, reliability analysis is gradually becoming a regular, day-to-day tool of nuclear power plant design.