REAL Knowledge at NASA: A Knowledge Services Model for the Modern Project Environment
REAL Knowledge at NASA: A Knowledge Services Model for the Modern Project Environment
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REAL Knowledge at NASA: A Knowledge Services Model for the Modern Project Environment
A video from NETL that describes the details of a modern power grid and how it can help our nation save on energy costs.
An important element of human factors engineering (HFE) pertains to measurement and evaluation (M&E). The role of HFE-M&E should be integrated throughout the entire control room modernization (CRM) process and be used for human-system performance evaluation and diagnostic purposes with resolving potential human engineering deficiencies (HEDs) and other human machine interface (HMI) design issues. NUREG-0711 describes how HFE in CRM should employ a hierarchical set of measures, particularly during integrated system validation (ISV), including plant performance, personnel task performance, situation awareness, cognitive workload, and anthropometric/ physiological factors. Historically, subjective measures have been primarily used since they are easier to collect and do not require specialized equipment. However, there are pitfalls with relying solely on subjective measures in M&E such that negatively impact reliability, sensitivity, and objectivity. As part of comprehensively capturing a diverse set of measures that strengthen findings and inferences made of the benefits from emerging technologies like advanced displays, this paper discusses the value of using eye tracking as an objective method that can be used in M&E. A brief description of eye tracking technology and relevant eye tracking measures is provided. Additionally, technical considerations and the unique challenges with using eye tracking in full-scaled simulations are addressed. Finally, this paper shares preliminary findings regarding the use of a wearable eye tracking system in a full-scale simulator study. These findings should help guide future full-scale simulator studies using eye tracking as a methodology to evaluate human-system performance.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Program is developing a scientific basis to extend the existing U.S. nuclear power plant (NPP) operating life beyond the current 60-year licensing period and to ensure NPP long-term reliability, productivity, safety, and security. Under the Advanced Instrumentation, Information, and Control (II&C) Systems Technologies pathway, the LWRS Program conducts targeted research and development to address long-term aging and obsolescence of existing instrumentation and control technologies, as well as to implement and test new digital II&C technology that enables broad innovation and business improvement in the NPP operating model. To this end, the role of human factors engineering (HFE) is important as part of ensuring that the control room modernization (CRM) activities account for the operator’s cognitive and physiological characteristics. Part of the HFE process for CRM entails conducting tests and evaluations (T&Es) that will inform the design of new human-system interface (HSI) technologies. Qualitative data that captures operator feedback and important human-system interactions are an important part of T&E. However, the analyzing this qualitative data in order to provide actionable design recommendations can be time-consuming and error prone. This paper presents an early version of a tool that can be used to analyze this qualitative data to (1) sift through freeform text for improved design issue identification, (2) maintain consistency in theme coding conventions, and (3) readily provide actionable design guidance that can be traceable to state-of-the-art HFE guidelines such as NUREG-0700. A description of this tool is discussed next.
Develop and validate new grid visualization, control paradigms, and business models for Holy Cross Energy (HCE) through integration of grid-friendly intelligent DER assets. Project Impact: Enable cooperatives and municipally-owned utilities to fully leverage DERs as part of their strategies for providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric services. Meets U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grid modernization goal of achieving at least 10% active devices to provide grid flexibility by 2035.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is studying renewable energy system integration and security and resilience planning as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Modernization Initiative. Some recent work focused on incorporating the Value of Resilience into the decision making process for investing in distributed, behind-the-meter energy systems to meet critical loads during grid outages. Cost / benefit analyses show how accounting for the Value of Resilience as a benefit changes solar PV and battery energy storage system capacities for maximum owner benefit.
Ted Quinn and Chad Kiger invited me to teach a course on Control Room Design and Modernization at the Digital I&C Workshop that is co-occurring with the 2019 ANS NPIC-HMIT Conference. What I am submitting here are the slides I intend to present as part of the training I have been asked to deliver.
A number of years ago, Duke Energy and the United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) entered into a collaboration to support Duke’s digital upgrade activities for the main control rooms at three of their commercial nuclear power stations. The collaboration specifically focused on the human factors engineering (HFE) aspects of Duke’s plans to upgrade the legacy turbine control systems (TCS) at their Brunswick, Robinson, and Harris plants. This TSC upgrade involved installing a common digital control system (DCS), or distributed instrumentation and control (I&C) system platform, which multiple digital plant control systems can be integrated onto as the control rooms are modernized over time. Given the breadth and depth of the scope of this upgrade, DOE researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) with expertise in human factors collaborated with Duke throughout the entire HFE life cycle to help ensure the upgrade was performed in a manner consistent with regulatory human factors review criteria, such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Human Factors Engineering Program Review Model (NUREG 0711, 2012). This paper describes the HFE researchers performed through the early and middle phases of these TCS upgrades. Specific HFE activities include: 1) the development of a human factors program management plan, 2) performing an operational experience review, 3) evaluating the design human system interface while it was still in the early stages of development, and 4) developing a framework to help map these HFE activities to NUREG-0711 to help understand and catalog the value of different types and phases of human performance data collection. These four HFE activities are described in more detail below.
The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a unique, water-cooled, high-flux test reactor capable of performing tests prototypical of PWR operating conditions. The Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) was founded in the 1960s to support reactor operations and to conduct independent scientific research. For nearly six decades RML has performed four primary functions: monitoring of radioactivity by gamma-ray spectroscopy of routine reactor samples, fluence rate determinations for irradiation cycles, fission-rate measurements for the ATR-Critical (ATR-C) Facility, and independent research and development of radiation detection systems and applications. Through the decades, RML has seen technological advancements that have been integrated into each of the critical functions of the laboratory. However, many of the measurement and analysis systems employed to this day can be improved by modernization. Recent progess at RML are improving reliability and accuracy of the radiation measurements performed in support of nuclear energy research for the U.S.A. Department of Energy. The control and data collection systems supporting ATR-C have been upgraded. New High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) spectrometers have been procured with liquid nitrogen recycling capabilities to improve up-time and reduce measurement uncertainties. Fluence-rate measurement techniques are also being improved to ensure accuracy, avoid systemic errors, and identify biases. In a parallel effort, new scientific research avenues are being explored which will provide an opportunity to further enhance the utilization of ATR and ensure the sustainability of the RML as nuclear research continues to evolve. The RML is improving the effectiveness of irradiation services provided by ATR while ensuring a sustainable future for nuclear energy research.
Plant Modernization Stakeholders Meeting - Multiple presenters INL and external on Pathway Overview & Integrated Operations for Nuclear being done at Idaho National Laboratories.
This is a slide presentation I was invited to give on the Factors in Main Control Room Modernization Decision-Making.
The United States (U.S.) Department of Energy (DOE) Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program Plant Modernization Pathway is conducting targeted research and development (R&D) to address aging and reliability concerns with the legacy instrumentation and control and related information systems of the U.S. LWR fleet. In this effort, the application of human factors engineering (HFE) provides an important role in ensuring new digital plant technologies enable broad innovation and business improvement with continued operational safety. Evaluation is a key activity in HFE, which often occurs iteratively through the system design lifecycle. While qualitative methods are important in collecting information of how users perform tasks through observations, quantitative methods are equally important in assessing system design based on performance. In collecting and analyzing this quantitative data, there are notable challenges in the nuclear HFE domain that may threaten the validity and reliability of the inferences made in these studies. Notable challenges include small sample size and limited resources, large error variance and small effect size, an “adding test features to losing degrees of freedom” dilemma, non-normal distribution, and heterogeneity of variance. The results in control room usability studies are often statistically non-significant, which makes it hard to interpret. This work discusses these challenges across different scientific viewpoints and provides real-world examples of these challenges in practice. Collectively, the objective of this work is to position these challenges to the larger data science community as a means of identifying future opportunities to address these issues.
The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a unique, water-cooled, high-flux test reactor capable of performing tests prototypical of PWR operating conditions. The Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) was founded in the 1960s to support reactor operations and to conduct independent scientific research. For nearly six decades RML has performed four primary functions: monitoring of radioactivity by gamma-ray spectroscopy of routine reactor samples, fluence rate determinations for irradiation cycles, fission-rate measurements for the ATR-Critical (ATR-C) Facility, and independent research and development of radiation detection systems and applications. Through the decades, RML has seen technological advancements that have been integrated into each of the critical functions of the laboratory. However, many of the measurement and analysis systems employed to this day can be improved by modernization. Recent progress at RML is improving reliability and accuracy of the radiation measurements performed in support of nuclear energy research for the U.S.A. Department of Energy. The control and data collection systems supporting ATR-C have been upgraded. New High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) spectrometers have been procured with liquid nitrogen recycling capabilities to improve up-time and reduce measurement uncertainties. Fluence-rate measurement techniques are also being improved to ensure accuracy, avoid systemic errors, and identify biases. In a parallel effort, new scientific research avenues are being explored which will provide an opportunity to further enhance the utilization of ATR and ensure the sustainability of the RML as nuclear research continues to evolve. The RML is improving the effectiveness of irradiation services provided by ATR while ensuring a sustainable future for nuclear energy research.
Jeffrey Joe has been invited to give a presentation entitled, “Human Factors Challenges in Modernizing Nuclear Power Plant Control Rooms,” at the 2024 Human Systems Symposium. Experts conducting human factors and human systems research will gather and share research at this conference. This conference is a good opportunity to develop new business for INL via research collaborations, as attendees exchange knowledge and explore the latest trends, advancements, and challenges in the field of human systems research across the DOE national laboratories.
This presentation discusses the work performed/being performed under the DOE Regulatory Development-Regulatory Framework Modernization Area in FY24
Distributed energy resources (DER) sit at the intersection of IoT and critical infrastructure. As we work towards clean energy and decarbonization targets, high rates of growth of DER are expected, making them an important component of generation and grid services. They have been a part of the explosion of internet connected devices developed to solve real-world problems and make life easier by providing clean, local energy and enable the smart management of grid services. However, the quick-to-market, low-cost drivers for DER, combined with a historically relative low-impact has meant that cybersecurity has not been a top priority. So as DER penetration increases, will DER be a part of the growing challenge of securing the grid, or part of the solution for necessary grid modernization? In this talk, we will discuss the factors that have led to our current position and what makes cybersecurity for DER unique. A wide range of research is conducted at national labs, in partnership with industry and academia, to inform everything from standards and regulation, to the development of cyber-physical anomaly detection through use of digital twins, and even advanced threat analytics to SBOM and HBOM tracking. Even with this multi-faceted approach to the challenges, the question remains: is this too little too late or are we doing enough to secure the grid for the next 30 years?
This report provides a summary of Fiscal Year 2025 activities performed in the Regulatory Framework Modernization work package through July 2025. This reflects the progress and status of Idaho National Laboratory?s activities concerning the development of an advanced reactor regulatory framework and its implementation in the United States. This report includes discussions of the progress that NRC has made on the ADVANCE Act requirements as well as the newly issued Presidential Executive Orders from May 2025. It provides a summary of the additional work packages added in July 2025 because of the executive orders. The report also provides recommendations for work to be performed in Fiscal Year 2026. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy Regulatory Development subprogram. These activities are managed by Idaho National Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy.
Abstract We aimed to determine the survival benefits of chemotherapy (CT) added to radiotherapy (RT) in different risk groups of patients with early‐stage extranodal nasal‐type NK/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTCL), and to investigate the risk of postponing RT based on induction CT responses. A total of 1360 patients who received RT with or without new‐regimen CT from 20 institutions were retrospectively reviewed. The patients had received RT alone, RT followed by CT (RT + CT), or CT followed by RT (CT + RT). The patients were stratified into different risk groups using the nomogram‐revised risk index (NRI). A comparative study was performed using propensity score‐matched (PSM) analysis. Adding new‐regimen CT to RT (vs RT alone) significantly improved overall survival (OS, 73.2% vs 60.9%, P < .001) and progression‐free survival (PFS, 63.5% vs 54.2%, P < .001) for intermediate‐risk/high‐risk patients, but not for low‐risk patients. For intermediate‐risk/high‐risk patients, RT + CT and CT + RT resulted in non‐significantly different OS (77.7% vs 72.4%; P = .290) and PFS (67.1% vs 63.1%; P = .592). For patients with complete response (CR) after induction CT, initiation of RT within or beyond three cycles of CT resulted in similar OS (78.2% vs 81.7%, P = .915) and PFS (68.2% vs 69.9%, P = .519). For patients without CR, early RT resulted in better PFS (63.4% vs 47.6%, P = .019) than late RT. Risk‐based, response‐adapted therapy involving early RT combined with CT is a viable, effective strategy for intermediate‐risk/high‐risk early‐stage patients with ENKTCL in the modern treatment era.