We are a reliable source of independent expertise for safety analysis and nuclear licensing support in a nuclear investment project, or when introducing a new product to a nuclear market.
Key facts about nuclear newbuilds and nuclear licencing
VTT is a key technical support organisation for Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
We also provide licensing support to nuclear power plant project parties
VTT has state-of-the-art analysis software, available to customers as well
In a nuclear newbuild project, VTT supports suppliers and utilities in demonstrating conformance to regulatory requirements. Alternatively, we can support the safety authority in its review work and independent analyses. Our work can be related to systems, structures, components, materials, manufacturing, human factors and organizations.
VTT is the key provider of technical support to the Finnish nuclear authority. We have also gained an in-depth knowledge of nuclear regulations in various countries including the United States, Sweden, France, United Arab Emirates and Germany.
We carry out deterministic safety analysis on all levels from reactor physics through transients and accidents to severe accidents, external hazards and radiological releases and doses. We assess accidental and operational loads for components and piping, and study Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and structural behavior such as Finite-Element Method (FEM).
VTT has the biggest airgun in the world, the Impact facility, used for studying external impacts on concrete structures.
For more about our experimental and computational infrastructure safety analysis services, see the page of VTT Centre for Nuclear Safety.
We have developed a number of software tools, three of which can be made available for users outside VTT:
- Apros for design basis accident analysis at plant scale, as well as for engineering, testing and training simulators. A product owned by VTT and Fortum
- Serpent for reactor physics
- FinPSA for Probabilistic Risk Assessment
In our experience, plant life management must be started in the engineering phase, and long-term operation must begin on the first day of plant operation. Together with our partners, we can support in establishing the plant life management program and the operation and maintenance organisation.
