Maryland-based GSE Systems is to implement digital-twin simulator for a nuclear plant in South Korea.

GSE specialises in engineering services and workforce offerings that support clean-energy production and decarbonisation initiatives in the power industry. The contract is to implement a digital-twin design simulation system for a long-time customer in South Korea.

The contract will support the creation of true digital-twin simulation, where live plant data will be integrated into the simulator so the client can perform timely what-if analyses and accurately predict future performance conditions of the plant.

The project will be implemented in cooperation with a Korea-based partner that GSE has worked with since 2018. GSE will deliver the simulation technology and model development starting in late 2022. Additional GSE support for historian integration will start in July 2023 and run through project completion, estimated for January 2025.

This $700,000 contract reflects South Korea’s continuing commitment to nuclear energy development. Nuclear power accounts for thirty per cent of the country’s electricity, a number that is growing as additional nuclear energy resources are added and optimised.

South Korea has been an important market for GSE, and this contract highlights the company’s prominence in the region with services and technology, including simulation systems.

The project has two major components:

• Build a nuclear plant model using GSE’s Jade suite, Relap, Remark and SimExec.
• Develop the interface of the simulation load with data from plant historian systems such as the PI database, to update the simulator to current plant conditions for analysis and future what-if scenarios.

The goal is to create a product that can then be licensed for future digital twins within South Korea and as part of the country’s export of nuclear plants worldwide.

“We are appreciative for the continuation of work with this client,” said Kyle Loudermilk, GSE’s CEO. “South Korea is an important market for GSE. As one of the world’s most fossil fuel-reliant economies, we support their re-commitment to nuclear energy. This project demonstrates GSE’s ability to deliver globally, on any reactor type, building successful, long-term relationships.”

GSE uses technology to provide engineering services that support clean energy. Its teams include design and analysis, systems and simulation, programmes and performance, technical staffing, and training to help the power industry reduce risk, extend plant operational lifetime and optimise performance. GSE has over five decades of experience, more than 1100 installations, and customers in over 50 countries.