Faced with demanding decarbonization targets, strict regulatory requirements and aging infrastructure, companies in the nuclear energy industry are under mounting pressure to modernize operations.
Increasing complexity in nuclear power plants — such as legacy control systems, brownfield facilities, highly specialized safety processes and evolving compliance mandates — makes it difficult to deliver reliable service while advancing green energy goals. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI), distributed energy resources and new reactor designs are testing technical and organizational limits.
To overcome these challenges, companies need new approaches to system management, data analysis and change control.
Obstacles to Nuclear Industry Innovation
Many nuclear organizations rely on legacy systems and processes that weren’t designed for this complexity. Although they want to adopt AI-driven analytics and advanced simulation technologies, siloed operational data and paper-based records hinder their innovation. Accurate modeling and transparent reporting of sustainability initiatives, waste management and carbon reductions are essential for meeting regulatory compliance. But the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and International Traffic in Arms also demand through documentation and traceability across a secure digital infrastructure, significantly increasing the cost and risk associated with any modernization efforts that do get off the ground.
Disconnected systems create additional inefficiencies. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), enterprise resource planning, asset management and safety compliance systems often operate independently, which limits visibility, increases the risk of errors and complicates reporting.
Addressing Operational Complexity
Simply put: It’s too hard for nuclear organizations to respond to increasing demands. They need new tools — low-code development platforms, AI and machine learning (ML) — to make it easier.
Low-code allows users across engineering, operations and IT to build applications their teams actually need — that monitor assets and provide actionable insights to staff and customers. These apps can automate workflows across previously disparate systems, breaking down silos for better resource allocation and more efficient planning. AI and ML enhance these capabilities by delivering predictive maintenance, advanced simulation and compliance automation features that optimize performance and reduce risk. And integration technologies unify previously siloed systems to improve cross-team data consistency.
Mendix’s low-code, AI-assisted platform provides the tools to quickly create these applications. Its visual modeling environment, drag-and-drop design and pre-built modules let users from all technical backgrounds build feature-rich applications without relying on specialized developers. Applied CAx’s deep expertise in nuclear operations and enterprise workflows supports the full lifecycle of complex systems — from design to simulation to operations — helping organizations deploy Mendix applications that align with operational and strategic goals.
Benefits for the Nuclear Energy Industry
Mendix’s REST, SOAP and OData support simplifies integrations with the critical systems the nuclear energy industry relies on: SCADA, geographic information system, energy management, advanced distribution management and asset management platforms. Applied CAx strengthens these connections by bridging design platforms with enterprise applications, creating a single environment where engineering models, asset performance, compliance records and financial data all align.
Together, they make it easy to extend the functionality and value of existing technologies, avoiding disruption while providing these benefits:
- Operational efficiency: Real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance lower downtime and costs. AI-powered model-based systems engineering, simulation tools and digital twins reduce the need for rework and accelerate NRC licensing processes.
- Faster innovation: Low-code development empowers companies to quickly build apps that address emerging challenges, such as managing waste and tracking sustainability. Simulation tools model real-world conditions, helping organizations identify new ways to increase resilience and cut emissions.
- Security and compliance: Role-based access, encryption and audit trails align apps with regulatory standards. Centralized data streamlines audits, plus environmental and safety reporting.
- Collaboration: Unified environments bring cross-functional teams together, so they can develop tools that meet all stakeholders’ needs.
A Smarter, Greener Nuclear Future
Modern nuclear companies need to start building a strong foundation to support the sector’s rapid changes and evolving demands. A more reliable and sustainable energy grid depends on unified data, integrated systems and smarter technologies. And rapid, incremental modernization with integrated workflows — powered by low-code, AI and ML — is paving the way forward.
If you’re looking to modernize operations and build a greener future, reach out to learn how Mendix and Applied CAx help.