A cutting-edge AI-powered Operator Information Support System (OISS) has entered trial operation at Power Unit 6 of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Russia — the reference model for Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
According to a press release, the system is designed to enhance operational safety by providing real-time support to control room personnel. OISS monitors power unit parameters and alerts operators to potential deviations, predicting the development of abnormal events up to 30 minutes in advance. This allows for quicker and more accurate decision-making, significantly improving safety margins.
The system currently covers 360 process systems, supports approximately 200 interactive procedures, and includes 20 core functions, all aimed at reducing the cognitive load on human operators.
“The consequences of operator error can be enormous,” the release noted. “A contingency shutdown of a 1200 MW VVER reactor could result in multi-million-dollar losses. On average, a single VVER-1200 power unit produces 24.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity daily — enough to supply a month’s worth of electricity to 100,000 apartments housing families of four.”
Project Supervisor Maksim Tuchkov highlighted the innovative nature of the system:
“The OISS is not an abstract model but a digital twin of the actual power unit, operating in real time with real data. Previously, operators had to manually process data from over 12,000 sensors, relying on lengthy technical documentation. Now, the system presents actionable insights in a clear, regulation-compliant format.”
Novovoronezh NPP has served as the pilot site for the development and implementation of OISS since 2014. Over the years, extensive data has been gathered to refine the system’s accuracy and performance.
Looking ahead, officials confirmed that the OISS will be gradually deployed across all modern Russian nuclear power units, with potential applications in international projects such as Bangladesh’s Rooppur NPP.