Virtual Integration Platform for Engineering and Remote Handling (VIPER)

Abstract

Maintaining and installing equipment in nuclear confined environments present significant challenges, demanding precise planning and advanced technologies to ensure worker safety and reduce radiation exposure. The virtual integration platform for engineering and remote handling (VIPER) offers an innovative framework to enhance the design, simulation, and operational efficiency of fusion energy projects. The platform’s immersive simulation capabilities offer realistic virtual environments for validating complex engineering processes. These capabilities are crucial for high-stakes nuclear operations, where precision and safety are critical. VIPER focuses on four interconnected domains: digital continuity, scale one immersive simulation, nuclear applications, and remote handling, leveraging state-of-the-art tools and methodologies. This abstract highlights VIPER’s application in key fusion use cases, including WEST tokamak component assembly [e.g., plasma facing units and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) antennas], ITER Tokamak maintenance and decommissioning activities and DEMO remote maintenance. The objective of this article is to describe the methodology and available functionalities of a stand-alone 4-D viewer developed by the platform. It integrates functionalities, such as sequence management, including the temporal dimension. By automating coupling to model-based system engineering (MBSE) principles and robust metadata management, the application guarantees data accuracy and consistency throughout the design and operation phases. In addition, the coupling with the XDE physics engine modules enables the integration of physical analyses of operational feasibility, accessibility, and ergonomics, as well as collision detection and path-finding algorithms. Fully integrated into the engineering design process, it significantly reduces information access times and improves team communication. VIPER evolution demonstrates the transformative potential in fusion energy projects. It embraces emerging technologies, including investigations with new standards for enhanced interoperability, real-time collaboration, and scalability. With a forward-looking roadmap, VIPER is poised to advance digital engineering methodologies, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for the next generation of fusion energy systems.