Our experience and history

Since its inception, the main task of VNIIAES was not only to introduce advanced technologies into production, but, first of all, to find a middle ground - an effective rate of scientific achievements adaptation. This is where we shine.

Now that we have developed predictive analytics of NPP operation and introduced digital concepts of virtual NPPs that allow us to quickly monitor and predict production processes, we are aware that everything our research institute did, the entire experience of generations of our scientists and specialists, was moving us into that direction. We have constantly strived for maximum comprehensive control of production cycles, ensuring safety and efficiency. We were looking for the perfect balance of science and practice. By setting such goals, we partly foresaw and anticipated the opportunities that the digital age and programming technologies are now opening up. Today it is obvious that, thanks to advanced software solutions, combined with the enormous accumulated global experience in operating nuclear power plants, we are very close to the ideal combination of theory and working technologies.

VNIIAES time line


 



Nowadays, we possess a highly accurate and almost comprehensive monitoring system for the operation of nuclear power plants. In the real time mode, we accumulate information on the completion of production cycles at all facilities, monitor and analyze emergency situations. We have reached a level that allows us to inspect the state of a nuclear facility without stopping its production cycle. We are able to simulate and evaluate the degree of wear of materials and the life of existing nuclear power plants.
We provide comprehensive scientific and technological support for nuclear facilities in all operating cycles - from design to decommissioning of nuclear power plants and solving issues related to the management of spent nuclear fuel. Over the past two years alone, the VNIIAES specialists have carried out scientific management of the launch of three newest power blocks, fully examined four power units to extend their life span, and provided scientific and methodological support to a number of foreign projects for the nuclear power development. The VNIIAES team obtained important results for the long-term planning of domestic nuclear power for the period up to 2100 on the subject of a two-component nuclear energy system in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. At the same time, VNIIAES learned how to solve the most difficult challenge - to find the optimal balance of safety and plant performance, guided by the fact that efficiency is the basis of investments in improving safety. And thanks to the software packages “Digital VVER NPP” and “Digital NPP Twin”, we learned to identify possible bottlenecks as early as at the design stage.

Nuclear power serves people and was created by people - scientists and specialists who ensure the safe and reliable power blocks’ operation. No matter how advanced the technology is, an individual, his knowledge and competencies will always remain at the heart of the process. We put a lot of effort in the creation of technology systems for the training of nuclear power plant specialists. This is an important area of our work. We take pride in our staff training simulator. Thanks to the training methods developed by us, we actually narrow down the scientific competencies to the level suitable for technology specialists and, additionally, we cater for communication between staff members from different departments. Today, the simulator program is in demand and cost-effective.

The very nature of nuclear technology reminds us that our industry is always rated at the highest standards. We cannot stand still or think that we have achieved sufficient results at a time when rapid changes are taking place in the world. Combining science and practice, science and the energy market, VNIIAES today serves as the scientific director of the Rosenergoatom Joint-Stock Company with regard to any problems of nuclear power plants operation and is the lead organization of the domestic nuclear industry in terms of standards and metrology as well as the center for the development of cybersecurity and simulator building standards.