Digital solutions for SMRs: key insights for nuclear projects
The rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is poised to reshape the global energy landscape, offering a safe, efficient, and sustainable solution to meet the world's growing energy demands. However, with the deployment of new nuclear technology comes a pressing need for robust nuclear digital systems and forward-thinking digital strategies delivered by organizations leading IT consulting in the energy and utilities sector.
SMR projects are complex, requiring not only innovative engineering but also advanced digital instrumentation and control systems, along with robust digital and IT system design, to ensure safe and reliable operation, strong cybersecurity, and efficient management throughout the reactor lifecycle.
In this article, we’ll explore why small modular reactors depend on modern digital systems, the role of digital technologies and regulatory requirements in shaping these projects, and how Alithya, a trusted IT partner in the nuclear industry, is uniquely positioned to support SMR initiatives from design to operation.
The role of small modular reactors in Canada’s energy transition and nuclear digital systems
Canada is no stranger to innovation in the energy sector. As the country seeks to balance its energy needs with sustainability goals, the push towards nuclear energy has gained significant momentum. SMRs, which are smaller and more flexible than traditional nuclear reactors, have become a key part of this energy transition, supporting modern approaches to plant design and plant operation.
With the Canadian government committing to net-zero emissions by 2050, SMRs are being heralded as an essential technology to help reduce carbon footprints while ensuring reliable energy. These modular reactors are designed to be deployed in a variety of locations, including remote and off-grid communities, increasing the importance of resilient nuclear digital systems that support safe operations across diverse environments.
However, the deployment of SMRs is not without its challenges. While the technology is groundbreaking, it requires sophisticated digital systems for everything from operational efficiency and remote management to regulatory compliance and security. This is where IT consulting for the energy and utilities sector becomes crucial.
Why robust nuclear digital systems and IT solutions are critical for SMRs
The successful operation of an SMR facility depends on the integration of several IT solutions across its lifecycle. From design and construction to ongoing operations and decommissioning, nuclear digital systems play a central role in ensuring reliability, safety, and long-term performance. This includes the coordination of instrumentation and control systems, secure digital technologies, and modern IT architectures.
From early planning through decommissioning, these systems support safe plant operation, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Here’s why robust IT is critical to SMR projects:
Complex operational systems
SMRs are designed to be highly automated, but this means that there is a complex network of operational systems to manage. These reactors rely on sophisticated software and hardware to ensure that they run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with stringent regulatory standards. A failure in any of these systems could lead to significant safety risks, downtime, and costly delays.
For SMR developers, this means needing advanced software solutions that can track performance, manage resources, and integrate with broader energy grids.
Remote management and control
Due to their modular nature, SMRs are often deployed in remote or off-grid locations. This requires innovative IT solutions that enable remote monitoring and control of reactor operations. IT systems must be able to relay real-time data and alerts to central management teams, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed.
Integration with legacy systems
In many cases, SMRs will be integrated with existing nuclear infrastructure and energy grids. This presents challenges when it comes to software compatibility. The IT solutions need to bridge the gap between cutting-edge SMR technology and legacy systems, ensuring that new reactors can function seamlessly within existing infrastructure. This integration requires expertise in both nuclear energy systems and advanced software development.
Digital hardware and software qualification for SMR projects
Due to the nature of SMRs, the latest technology must be leveraged to ensure commercial viability of these plants. This will often result in integrating first-of-a-kind designs and the latest technology offerings by OEMs, which comes with its own risks relating to reliability and proven-in-use arguments.
All digital hardware and software components used in nuclear safety-critical or safety-related applications in Canada must be qualified to CSA N290.14 “Qualification of digital hardware and software for use in I&C applications for nuclear power plants”. Like IEEE 7-4.3.2 and NRC RG 1.152, CSA N290.14 establishes requirements for qualifying digital hardware and software used in instrumentation and control (I&C) systems in nuclear power plants, including commercial off-the-shelf software, custom software, digital hardware, and software engineering tools.
When qualifying digital solutions, it is imperative to ask the right questions of OEMs and identify the critical characteristics of these digital systems to scrutinize.
Industrial control system cybersecurity: a critical component of an SMR deployment strategy
As with any advanced technology, Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity is a critical concern for SMR projects. These reactors are highly automated and rely more each year on interconnected systems to monitor and manage operations. Without strong cybersecurity measures in place, SMRs are vulnerable to attacks that could compromise safety, data integrity, and operational efficiency.
In fact, in Canada compliance to CSA N290.7 “Cybersecurity for Nuclear Power Plants and Small Reactor Facilities” is a licensing condition for all nuclear sites.
Why ICS cybersecurity matters for SMRs
Having a cybersecurity program is not only a license condition, but given the sensitive nature of nuclear power, SMRs are high-value targets for cybercriminals and state-sponsored attacks. A cyberattack could have devastating consequences, from a temporary shutdown to catastrophic failures. Cybersecurity consulting becomes integral to ensure that these systems remain protected against potential breaches, from control systems to data storage and communications.
There are many aspects of ICS cybersecurity that should be considered, including:
- Secure development environments: Security should start in the environment where a system is being designed, and not just at the site for deployment.
- Defensive cybersecurity architectures: System design should be secure by design, implementing defensive architectures from the ground up.
- Asset identification and classification: Knowing which digital assets are part of the security design, and what their vulnerabilities are is critical.
Implementing robust cybersecurity measures
A solid cybersecurity strategy for SMRs includes several key elements:
- Network security: Protecting the reactor’s digital systems from external threats, including malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.
- Data encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data, including performance metrics and safety protocols, is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
- Regular security audits: Conducting ongoing cybersecurity assessments to identify vulnerabilities and patch potential threats.
- Real-time monitoring: Deploying monitoring systems that track activity and detect anomalies in real time.
Software program development for SMRs
In addition to meeting safety and security requirements, the programs under which software is developed for SMRs must support a variety of functions that ensure safety-related and safety-critical systems are designed to meet regulatory and best practice guidelines.
Software program governance and procedures
SMRs must operate under strict safety protocols, which means that the software used in these reactors must be designed with safety in mind under a program that meets the requirements of industry standards for I&C and software-based safety systems such as IEC 61513 or COG-95-264-I. From automatic shutdown systems to continuous health monitoring, safety-related and safety-critical software plays an essential role in SMR operations.
Working with a qualified service provider that understands nuclear safety standards and has experience developing software programs is vital.
Computer systems engineering and design
One major selling feature of SMR technology is time to deployment. With claims of shorter timelines from design to deployment, there is increasing pressure on engineering and design teams to produce safe designs faster. Augmenting digital systems development teams can be one way to maintain technology deployment milestones and ensure compliant software development outcomes.
Whether it is for the design and development of systems, or meeting independence requirements for safety-critical systems, augmenting teams by leveraging a reliable IT consulting firm can help design, implement, and test computer system designs to ensure compliance with nuclear regulations and meet project timelines.
Alithya: the trusted IT partner for small modular reactor projects
As Canada’s energy sector embraces the future with SMRs, the need for a trusted IT consulting partner has never been more critical. Alithya, with its extensive experience in digital and IT solutions for energy and utilities, is uniquely positioned to help SMR developers and operators and their utilities partners navigate the complexities of these groundbreaking projects.
Alithya’s expertise spans across the entire SMR lifecycle, from early design and software development to cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. We specialize in custom digital solutions that are scalable, secure, and aligned with industry standards, ensuring that your SMR projects are successful, sustainable, and compliant.
Whether you’re developing a new SMR facility, integrating modular reactors into existing infrastructure, or focusing on remote monitoring and control, Alithya’s proven track record in the energy sector makes us a trusted partner for driving digital transformation and innovation. We bring the right mix of industry expertise and technical know-how to ensure that your SMR projects are managed efficiently, securely, and with the highest standards of quality.
The path forward: building resilient nuclear digital systems for SMRs
The global deployment of SMRs represents a transformative shift in the world’s energy future. To ensure the successful integration and operation of these next-generation reactors, it’s essential to have a strong digital foundation that is built on reliable, scalable, and secure technology solutions. By partnering with an experienced digital systems provider like Alithya, SMR projects can overcome the challenges of integration, cybersecurity, software development, and more.
Let Alithya be your trusted partner in shaping Canada’s nuclear future. Contact us today to learn how we can help make the vision of sustainable, reliable energy a reality, together.