Diablo Canyon, California’s only remaining nuclear power plant, is making history as the first U.S. nuclear facility to implement an on-site generative AI solution. The plant, located in San Luis Obispo, has integrated Atomic Canyon’s Neutron Enterprise AI tool, powered by NVIDIA H100 graphics processors, to enhance its operations. This groundbreaking deployment aims to revolutionize document search and retrieval, significantly improving operational efficiency and cost savings.
The Neutron Enterprise solution, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, uses advanced optical character recognition and AI-powered search technology to manage the plant’s vast datasets. According to Utility Dive, this AI tool can reduce search times from hours to seconds, allowing plant teams to focus on high-value tasks and decision-making.
Despite the technological advancements, the introduction of AI at Diablo Canyon has raised concerns among California lawmakers. The plant, operated by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), is scheduled to begin decommissioning in 2029. However, its continued operation is crucial as it provides nearly 9% of California’s electricity and 17% of its zero-carbon energy. The deployment of AI is seen as a way to maintain compliance and productivity in the face of growing energy demands.
Maureen Zawalick, Vice President of Business and Technical Services at Diablo Canyon, expressed confidence in the AI solution, stating that it will enable faster data retrieval and boost collaboration. PG&E emphasizes that the AI deployment sets a new standard for information access and analysis in the nuclear energy sector.
The introduction of AI at Diablo Canyon marks a pivotal moment for the nuclear industry, with Atomic Canyon’s CEO Trey Lauderdale describing it as the future of nuclear plant operations.
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