The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Microsoft have announced a collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies into the nuclear permitting and licensing process. This partnership aims to streamline the generation of engineering and safety analysis reports, which are essential components of applications for constructing and operating nuclear power plants. (inl.gov)
Traditionally, compiling these detailed reports is a labor-intensive and time-consuming task, requiring the aggregation of safety data from multiple sources. By leveraging Microsoft's Azure AI services, the new tool is designed to automate the construction of these documents, thereby accelerating the review process. It's important to note that while the AI system automates document generation, human oversight remains crucial for verification and refinement. (inl.gov)
This initiative is particularly significant in the context of recent efforts to expedite nuclear plant licensing. In May, President Donald Trump signed executive orders aimed at reducing the licensing timeline for new nuclear power plants to as little as 18 months, addressing the growing energy demands driven by AI data centers. (reuters.com)
The collaboration also holds promise for existing nuclear facilities seeking to enhance their power output. By utilizing data from approximately 82 previous power upgrades, the AI tool can assist in generating license amendment requests more efficiently. (reuters.com)
This partnership builds upon previous collaborations between INL and Microsoft. In 2023, they developed the world's first nuclear reactor digital twin—a virtual replica of Idaho State University's AGN-201 reactor—using Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform. (inl.gov)
By integrating AI into the nuclear licensing process, INL and Microsoft aim to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, contributing to meeting the nation's increasing energy needs.
Source: Nextgov/FCW Idaho National Lab teams up with Microsoft to improve nuclear permitting reviews
