The Workshop on the Applicability and Applications of Database Projects in Operating Experience, held 20-22 May in Garching, Germany, and hosted by Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit gGmbH (GRS), brought together experts from regulatory bodies, industry, technical support organisations and research institutions to discuss how operating experience data from the NEA database projects can support risk-informed decision-making in nuclear safety.
The workshop was organised by the NEA Committee on Safety of Nuclear Installations (CSNI), the Working Group on Risk Assessment (WGRISK), as well as with NEA database projects: International Common-cause Failure Data Exchange (ICDE) Project, Fire Incidents Records Exchange (FIRE) Project ,and Component Operational Experience, Degradation and Ageing Programme (CODAP). It served as a platform to strengthen co-ordination between WGRISK and the database projects, with a focus on practical applications, user needs and feedback loops to improve data quality and usability.
Workshop sessions reviewed current applications of the three database projects related to probabilistic safety assessments (PSA), worked to identify emerging needs regarding risk assessment data, and created opportunities to strengthen links between activities and end users among other forum to share experiences, best practices and challenges.
Several key themes emerged from discussions at the workshop, including the value of operating experience data in simulated and or modelling environments, cross-border data sharing, extended applications of data for further study of new technologies and suggestions for further improvement.
With respect to operating experience data, participants confirmed the growing importance of operating experience data in improving the realism and credibility of PSA models. Several practical case studies demonstrated how operating experience data has been used to refine models, including improvements in fire modelling (e.g. electrical cabinet fires and suppression effectiveness) and updated loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) frequency estimates.
More holistically, the databases ICDE, FIRE and CODAP, which are shared across countries, provide unique datasets for quantification and trend analysis. Specifically, the FIRE Database includes over 600 fire events covering more than 11 000 reactor-years, while ICDE analyses indicate long-term reductions in common cause failure rates despite remaining residual risks. However, incomplete participation across members was recognised as a potential source of bias, reinforcing the need for broader and more consistent contributions.
Several contributions emphasised a need to extend data and insights to advanced reactor concepts (such as small modular reactors, SMRs), non-reactor facilities and multi-hazard risk assessments. Other emerging topics included multi-module reactor configurations, lithium-ion battery fire risks, digital instrumentation and control common cause failures, and applications to radioactive waste facilities and decommissioning activities.
Recognising the importance of data and information sharing, participants noted that harmonising data definitions, reporting practices and accessibility would improve overall effectiveness. They highlighted several challenges, including limited resources, uneven engagement across member organisations and inconsistent reporting. Suggested improvements included clearer coding guidance, more user-friendly interfaces and enhanced functionalities (e.g., data extraction tools, pre-calculated frequency tables) within the databases. Additionally, participants underlined needs for improving data quality, expanding coverage and adapting databases to emerging technologies and new risk contexts. This includes addressing data gaps for advanced reactors, passive safety systems and human reliability in digital environments, as well as developing structured approaches to apply operating experience to new designs due to limited empirical data.
The workshop also discussed knowledge preservation, including structured documentation, involving multiple co-ordinators, and using recorded training materials to ensure continuity and effective knowledge transfer.
The event provided valuable input to ongoing work, including identifying priority areas for future data collection and analysis as well as better understanding between database information, products, use cases and the people involved. Outcomes will contribute to a forthcoming report, which will also feature conclusions and recommendations for future work.
