Initial Experiences with the NEAMS Early User Program

Abstract

In FY 2012, the NEAMS program initiated an Early User Program to get the modeling and simulation codes being developed by the program into the hands of “friendly” users outside the development team. The primary purpose of this activity was to provide the development teams with independent feedback as to the scientific and computational performance of the codes, their usability and other factors. It also serves to provide the stakeholders of the NEAMS program with visibility into the progress and capability of the codes prior to their anticipated first full official release in 2018. Seven teams were supported under the FY 2012 Early User program, working with the BISON/MOOSE and AMP fuel performance codes, and the Nek5000 computational fluid dynamics code for reactor modeling, primarily in validation studies. The program was considered successful and useful by the Product Line Leads, and worked largely as expected. However we have noted a number of areas in which the program could be adjusted and improved in the future. The most significant have to do with ensuring Early Users get training on the applications as early as possible, and finding ways to reduce some of the constraints imposed by the NEAMS financial schedule and the effects of Continuing Resolutions.