Hitachi Unveils Metaverse Solution to Enhance Nuclear Plant Design Efficiency
Hitachi Unveils metaverse Platform for Enhancing Nuclear Power Plant Operations
Innovative Navigation System for Seamless Access
Hitachi has introduced a groundbreaking metaverse platform tailored for nuclear power plants, aiming to optimize operations and bolster safety measures. This innovative system recreates nuclear facilities using advanced 3D CAD and high-precision point cloud data, allowing for a virtual representation that enhances operational efficiency.
The platform is designed as a secure environment, accessible only to authorized personnel. Its user-friendly navigation system enables individuals to move effortlessly between different floors of the plant, with the ability to resume their previous location for quick access. This feature supports multiple users simultaneously, promoting real-time collaboration and decision-making among stakeholders located in various regions.
Additionally, the platform is equipped with engineering support tools that provide centimeter-level measurement capabilities, facilitate virtual meetings, and allow users to annotate and attach files to specific equipment or areas. These functionalities are essential for streamlining engineering operations.
Ensuring Accurate Planning and Execution
Hitachi emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and dependable execution when installing new equipment or making modifications within nuclear facilities. Regulatory restrictions often limit access to these plants, making it challenging to conduct site surveys frequently. In certain instances, operational constraints prevent access to controlled zones, complicating on-site evaluations.
These limitations necessitate extensive coordination among various stakeholders, with electric utilities playing a pivotal role in information sharing and work plan adjustments. The nuclear sector in Japan has faced significant challenges since the Great East Japan Earthquake, leading to prolonged shutdowns of all domestic nuclear plants.
The industry has also seen a wave of retirements among experienced professionals, a decrease in training opportunities for new construction projects, and a shrinking workforce due to demographic shifts, including an aging population and declining birth rates.
Data-Driven Insights for Enhanced Operations
The newly launched platform is envisioned as the cornerstone of a “Data-Driven Power Plant,” addressing the myriad challenges faced by electric utilities. Hitachi aims to enhance equipment reliability, improve work management, and boost operational efficiency through data-driven insights and solutions.
The Tokyo-based company highlighted that this platform embodies Lumada 3.0, leveraging Hitachi’s extensive expertise and AI capabilities to transform data into actionable insights. Developed in collaboration with GlobalLogic, this initiative integrates Hitachi’s long-standing knowledge in the nuclear energy sector with cutting-edge digital technologies.
The platform facilitates the collection, aggregation, and analysis of on-site data, enabling optimal investment planning and maintenance strategies through informed decision-making. Furthermore, the system ensures secure communication via encrypted interactions, with access strictly limited to authorized users, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to safety and security.
