Suggesting resolutions of potential gaps to support the development of test scenarios for the integrated system validation of nuclear power plants

Since the TMI-2 accident, one of the most crucial aspects to enhance the safety of nuclear power plants is the systematic consideration of human factors issues in their operation. In this regard, many frameworks have been developed over many decades that consist of several key elements including integrated system validation (ISV), and to help specify how to conduct ISV, various kinds of detailed guidelines have been proposed. Unfortunately, although these guidelines are available, many technical challenges remain in conducting ISV, such as the development of ISV scenarios that are indispensable for properly capturing human factors issues based on the performance of human operators observable in diverse operation conditions. In order to address this technical issue, a novel sampling strategy that can be used to develop ISV scenarios in a systematic manner is proposed in this study. While it is true that the appropriateness of the proposed sampling strategy should be corroborated with additional efforts, including the review of ISV practitioners, it is expected that this study can be regarded as a starting point to provide practical guidelines for supporting the ISV of nuclear power plants.