ETSON: VUJE and EXE Bring Nuclear Power Plant Training to Life Through 3D Virtual Reality

ETSON, European Technical Safety Organisations Network: bit.ly/3NbOm6B

The new 3D VR model developed by VUJE together with EXE brings the complex systems of a VVER 440 nuclear power plant to life. It visualizes key processes such as liquid and steam flows, temperature changes, hydrogen formation, radioactive particle presence, and core degradation during loss-of-coolant and other severe accident scenarios. The model is directly connected to the Bohunice full-scope simulator — the same licensed simulator used for operator training — with animations driven by real-time simulation data, including flows, levels, temperatures, and corium mass.

This innovative link between the simulator and the virtual model allows operators to see in real time how physical parameters evolve inside the reactor and its safety systems during various accident conditions. While the simulator calculates the precise state of the plant, the 3D model transforms these data into a vivid, interactive visualization of what is happening inside the primary circuit, steam generators, and containment systems. The result is an immersive experience that bridges the gap between technical simulation and intuitive understanding.

By defining key animations — such as levels in tanks, coolant and steam flows, temperature distribution, hydrogen and particle presence — VUJE ensured that the model provides a realistic and educational view of processes that cannot be observed in real life. The model also depicts severe accident phenomena, including reactor core degradation and the formation of melted corium.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen severe accident training, offering operators and engineers an immersive look into accident progression and the behavior of plant safety systems. This approach helps participants better understand the timing and effectiveness of severe accident management actions and enhances their situational awareness.

Beyond training purposes, the 3D VR model serves as a communication and educational tool for a broader audience. It can be used to raise awareness among nuclear professionals, students, and the general public about how nuclear power plants respond under extreme conditions and how multiple safety barriers work together to protect people and the environment.

By combining its long-term expertise in nuclear simulation and safety with modern visualization technology, VUJE continues to innovate in the field of nuclear education and operator training. The 3D virtual reality model of the VVER 440 plant represents a major step forward in making complex nuclear processes understandable, tangible, and visually engaging — ensuring that future generations of operators and engineers are better prepared for the most demanding situations.