UAE's FANR And MBRSC Unveil IONS For Advanced Nuclear Safety Measures

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) has introduced the Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety system (IONS) in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). This initiative aims to enhance the safety and resilience of nuclear facilities against climate change impacts.

IONS is an advanced environmental and climate monitoring system. It will provide real-time data on various factors around the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, such as sea levels, land and sea surface temperatures, vegetation health, air quality, and earthquakes. The system will also predict potential effects on nuclear installations using artificial intelligence tools.

IONS leverages AI to create future models of expected climate changes based on specific algorithms. This project is part of the UAE's performance agreements for 2023-2024, aligning with national priorities and development goals. It supports the "We the UAE 2031" vision, which aims to make the UAE the safest country globally.

Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director-General of MBRSC, stated, "Our collaboration with FANR to launch the Intelligent Operational Nuclear Safety reflects our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s goals in advanced technology and sustainability. The advanced technologies of MBRSC’s satellites allow us to collect accurate, real-time data on climate and environmental changes. This improves the system’s accuracy and provides more reliable forecasts that help make informed decisions to maintain the safety and security of the country’s nuclear facilities."

Christer Viktorsson, FANR Director-General, highlighted the UAE government's dedication to addressing climate change impacts. He said, "The UAE government is committed to address the impact of climate change by taking the necessary measures to mitigate such consequences. In collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, we developed the innovative IONS that will play significant role in strengthening the oversight and resilience of nuclear facilities against external events and climate change threats in the UAE, with the help of AI technologies to carry out our mandate to protect the community, workers and environment."

IONS is designed to support UAE's net zero goals by ensuring safe nuclear facility operations. It provides operators and regulators with a sophisticated tool for monitoring, predicting, and managing risks related to climate change.

This initiative represents a significant step towards enhancing nuclear safety through advanced technology integration. By leveraging real-time data and AI predictions, IONS aims to safeguard both people and infrastructure from environmental threats.

With inputs from WAM