Reducing delays and improving outcomes through integrated simulation, data continuity, and collaborative project execution.
As the world races toward decarbonization, nuclear power is experiencing a long-overdue resurgence. Nuclear power’s ability to provide consistent, low-carbon electricity positions it for a central role in the clean energy transition. But legacy challenges still cast a long shadow: long lead times, escalating costs, regulatory hurdles, and siloed project teams.
To overcome these hurdles, the industry must build differently and smarter. That’s where virtual twin technology offers a powerful advantage.
A New Approach to Managing Complexity
Nuclear projects are among the most complex infrastructure undertakings on the planet. They involve thousands of interdependent systems, multi-decade lifecycles, and rigorous safety and compliance requirements. Traditionally, each phase—engineering, procurement, construction, and operation has been managed with different tools, disconnected processes, and limited data continuity.
This fragmented approach results in cost overruns, rework, and schedule slippage—outcomes the industry can no longer afford.
Virtual twins revolutionize the field by uniting the nuclear facility and project dimensions into a cohesive digital environment. A virtual twin is a dynamic, data-rich model that reflects a nuclear plant’s design (systems, behaviors, and performance) and processes (construction, commissioning, and operation). It enables teams to collaborate in real time, simulate decisions before implementation, and align requirements with execution from the beginning.
Simulate Before You Build
With virtual twin technology, project teams can:
- Model construction and commissioning sequences;
- Simulate construction activities to identify risks and bottlenecks;
- Optimize site layout for project performance;
- Perform “what-if” scenarios for schedule, cost, and design changes.
This virtual-first approach allows potential issues to be identified and resolved long before they impact physical execution. It dramatically reduces downstream risk.
Streamlining Licensing and Stakeholder Engagement
One of the biggest challenges in nuclear development is navigating the regulatory landscape. Licensing authorities demand clear, consistent evidence of project safety and environmental standards compliance at every phase.
Virtual twins support this by linking regulatory requirements, engineering data and evidence like simulation and physical test results in a single environment. This provides a transparent, auditable record of decision-making, thus improving trust and reducing licensing time.
They also enable more effective communication with non-technical stakeholders, including government agencies, investors, and local communities, by offering immersive, visual representations of the project.
From Planning to Long-Term Operation
The value of a virtual twin extends well beyond design and construction. Once the plant is operational, it becomes a living asset that supports maintenance, performance optimization, training, and eventual decommissioning. Teams can run predictive analyses, rehearse procedures, and test system upgrades, all in a risk-free virtual environment.
Virtual twins reduce surprises, accelerate delivery, and create a single source of truth across the nuclear project lifecycle.
Ready to Reduce Risk and Deliver with Confidence?
Nuclear’s role in the clean energy transition is undeniable. However, the way we deliver projects must evolve. Virtual twin technology offers the visibility, collaboration, and foresight needed to reduce risk and meet growing power demand.
To learn more about how virtual twins can reshape nuclear project execution and support net-zero goals, explore our latest eBook:
The Clean Energy Transformation: How the Nuclear Industry Can Meet Growing Demand with Digitalization.