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Hitachi, Ltd. has developed a Metaverse Platform for Nuclear Power Plants that uses high-precision digital twins and AI to support design, construction, maintenance, and decommissioning activities. The platform enables utilities and contractors to collaborate more effectively by recreating nuclear facilities in a metaverse environment, using point cloud and 3D CAD data.
The solution is intended to serve as the foundation of a “Data-Driven Power Plant,” addressing operational challenges such as improving equipment reliability, enhancing work coordination, and optimizing investment planning. Developed in collaboration with GlobalLogic under Hitachi’s Lumada 3.0 initiative, the platform combines decades of nuclear expertise with advanced digital tools to support data-driven decision-making.
This approach reflects a broader shift across asset-intensive industries toward virtualized collaboration and predictive operations—particularly valuable in highly regulated sectors with aging workforces and constrained site access.
Background
Nuclear power plants require detailed planning and coordination for equipment upgrades and modifications, but access to facilities is often limited by regulatory and safety constraints. In some cases, controlled zones are inaccessible during plant operation, requiring utilities to rely on infrequent site surveys and extensive offline coordination.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, prolonged shutdowns led to the retirement of experienced personnel and a decline in hands-on training opportunities. Demographic changes have further reduced the available workforce, making knowledge transfer and productivity key concerns across the sector.
Hitachi developed this platform to address these constraints, reduce rework, and enable more accurate, real-time understanding of site conditions among stakeholders.
Key Features
Point Cloud & CAD Integration: Combines high-density point cloud data with 3D CAD models to visualize real-world site conditions and detect discrepancies.
AI-Powered Search: Enables full-text and synonym-based searches of design documents, linked to specific assets or locations in the virtual plant.
Multi-User Access: Allows multiple users to access the metaverse simultaneously for real-time collaboration and coordination.
Engineering Tools: Provides virtual meeting support, annotation, file attachments, equipment layout search, and asset data linking with centimeter-level accuracy.
Security: Encrypted communication and user-based access control ensure secure collaboration across organizations.
Future Applications
The platform supports the aggregation and analysis of on-site data, including equipment conditions and historical records. By enabling earlier fault detection and condition forecasting, it facilitates optimized maintenance and investment planning. The system is designed to help utilities respond to evolving demands with greater accuracy and efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability of nuclear operations. Follow ARC Advisory Group for the latest trends in sustainability, automation, and next generation technology.