Dismantling nuclear power plants

IBG designs innovative robot modifications and processes to enable experts to remotely disassemble using a control panel.

The goal of the energy transition is a sustainable energy supply that does not depend on fossil and atomic fuels. This transfer is a big challenge. Old plants that are not up to par with the energy transition must be replaced by new ones without endangering the energy supply. To this end, IBG is developing a concept for an automated solution in the context of dismantling a nuclear power plant. The goal of “decommissioning back to greenfield” is the safe disposal of radiant substances without them coming into contact with people and the environment. Since the local environmental conditions do not permit the direct employment of personnel, several robot systems are used for the dismantling measures which can operate from safe distance both remotely controlled and automatically.

Furthermore, IBG, together with the system partner KUKA, will design an industrial robot specially created for this task with an extended arm made of CFRP. This innovative solution allows better ergonomics and cycle time of this system.