{"id":6922,"date":"2024-10-14T15:28:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=6922"},"modified":"2024-10-14T15:29:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T13:29:42","slug":"numerical-simulation-of-flood-risks-in-nuclear-power-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/numerical-simulation-of-flood-risks-in-nuclear-power-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Numerical simulation of flood risks in nuclear power plants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"\"
Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) along the Rh\u00f4ne River. (Photo credit: Ga\u00ebtan Bernard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing access to a source of cold water required to cool the reactor circuit.\u00a0 This proximity to water exposes them to the risk of flooding, making it essential to guarantee their safety against this hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing studies aim to understand the natural hazards likely to cause flooding and to determine the measures and protective structures needed to ensure safety. <\/a>EDF Research & Development is working on projects with other EDF teams responsible for power plant engineering and operations, with a view to improving their knowledge and ensuring they are up to date with the latest state of the art hazard-related data, technologies, and methods. Two of these initiatives are presented in this article: firstly, the simulation of wave propagation from the open sea to the point where water overtops protective structures, and secondly, the use of satellite data for flood calculations in the event of extreme flooding. This work is being carried out within the framework of CIFRE PhD theses, financed by EDF R&D, at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wave simulation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coastal power plants are exposed to the risk of marine submersions, which may occur when very high sea levels are combined with high waves generated by storms. To ensure that these sites are protected against these hazards, it is essential to be able to estimate wave activity in their vicinity, based on offshore conditions. It is equally important to study the interaction of these waves with protective structures, in particular the average flow rate of water that could overtop these structures under extreme conditions. This knowledge is typically obtained by conducting experiments on scale models in test tanks, and\/or using semi-empirical1<\/a><\/sup> formulas developed based on extensive datasets (both experimental and collected in the field) to estimate the flow rates of water overtopping these structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to these approaches, EDF is developing various simulation codes to analyze wave propagation from the open sea to the coast, wave agitation conditions close to its sites (in intake and discharge channels, for example), and the overtopping of protective structures by waves. EDF is accurately and effectively modeling the various physical processes affecting waves, providing a good understanding of wave conditions in the vicinity of its sites. Furthermore, it is also possible to study the \u201crun-up\u201d (the height to which waves ascend an embankment or structure) and the volume of water that may overtop coastal protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"\"
Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

These simulation codes are validated using experimental data from tank tests or collected in the field. Once validated, these tools are a quick and accurate way of quantifying the risk of wave overtopping and guaranteeing plant safety against well-defined extreme storm conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting satellite images to good use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For nuclear facilities located on rivers, simulations covering large areas along waterways play a key role in their safety. To understand how water spreads during a flood, models based on physics equations2<\/a><\/sup> simulate changes in water height at different times and places on a two-dimensional map. These models contain parameters that are calibrated by comparing the results of numerical simulations with data available from major floods. The main calibration parameter in these flood studies is the roughness coefficient, which is in principle variable in space (depending on the type of terrain, slope, or vegetation). This coefficient influences the speed of the water flow, especially at the front of the flood, and therefore determines the flood height and the extent of flooded areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We currently calibrate the roughness of a river\u2019s minor bed (the area that is always under water) using water level data collected regularly at measuring stations along the river. However, for the floodplain or major bed (the part where water flows only during floods), model calibration is reliant on a limited number of observations, sometimes a long time apart and covering only certain parts of the floodplain (each flood does not necessarily cover the entire area modeled for nuclear safety purposes). This lack of data means we have typically defined roughness coefficients for the floodplain \u201caccording to expert opinion\u201d (using literature, laboratory experiments, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, however, with the rapid development of satellite observation, new spatial data are available to us for calibrating the roughness coefficients in floodplains. Some satellites can detect changes caused by the presence of water when a flood occurs. Radar satellites, for example, can detect flooding through clouds, both at night and during the day (see figure 3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sentinel-1 satellite images before and during a flood on the Garonne in early February 2021. Authors provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calibration is performed using mathematical optimization tools, enabling us to calibrate model parameters by combining expert opinion and uncertain satellite observations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Formulas based partly on observations or experiments. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
  2. Typically, the set of shallow water equations, also called Saint-Venant equations (former student from \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es) \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6887,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[937,690],"_related_content_author":[6910,6912],"_related_content_category":[],"_related_content_folder":[6913],"_excerpt":"Nuclear power plants, often located near bodies of water (the sea, estuaries, or rivers), require special attention due to the risk of flooding. What can be done to protect these sites from such hazards? Numerical simulation and the use of satellite data are the focus of research at EDF R&D's Laboratoire National d\u2019Hydraulique et Environnement and at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.","_duration":4,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"Formulas based partly on observations or experiments.\",\"id\":\"9f0e16dc-ae5f-4e59-b346-2ee931b9db09\"},{\"content\":\"Typically, the set of shallow water equations, also called Saint-Venant equations (former student from \u00c9cole nationale des ponts et chauss\u00e9es)\",\"id\":\"7e8c5f17-eec9-4b23-8571-5b3fe7b2dc59\"}]"},"article-types":[13,27],"class_list":["post-6922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article","article-types-folder"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":6887,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/bandeau_TJ_CG-1024x419.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) along the Rh\u00f4ne River. (Photo credit: Ga\u00ebtan Bernard)","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    \"\"
    Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) along the Rh\u00f4ne River. (Photo credit: Ga\u00ebtan Bernard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"\"
    Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) along the Rh\u00f4ne River. (Photo credit: Ga\u00ebtan Bernard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"\"
    Bugey nuclear power plant (Ain) along the Rh\u00f4ne River. (Photo credit: Ga\u00ebtan Bernard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"textColor":"dark-grey","align":"","content":"Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing access to a source of cold water required to cool the reactor circuit.\u00a0 This proximity to water exposes them to the risk of flooding, making it essential to guarantee their safety against this hazard.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-dark-grey-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing access to a source of cold water required to cool the reactor circuit.\u00a0 This proximity to water exposes them to the risk of flooding, making it essential to guarantee their safety against this hazard.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing access to a source of cold water required to cool the reactor circuit.\u00a0 This proximity to water exposes them to the risk of flooding, making it essential to guarantee their safety against this hazard.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Nuclear power plants are located by the sea, on estuaries or along rivers (e.g., the Bugey plant picture above), providing access to a source of cold water required to cool the reactor circuit.\u00a0 This proximity to water exposes them to the risk of flooding, making it essential to guarantee their safety against this hazard.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"textColor":"dark-grey","align":"","content":"Ongoing studies aim to understand the natural hazards likely to cause flooding and to determine the measures and protective structures needed to ensure safety. EDF Research & Development is working on projects with other EDF teams responsible for power plant engineering and operations, with a view to improving their knowledge and ensuring they are up to date with the latest state of the art hazard-related data, technologies, and methods. Two of these initiatives are presented in this article: firstly, the simulation of wave propagation from the open sea to the point where water overtops protective structures, and secondly, the use of satellite data for flood calculations in the event of extreme flooding. This work is being carried out within the framework of CIFRE PhD theses, financed by EDF R&D, at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"has-dark-grey-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Ongoing studies aim to understand the natural hazards likely to cause flooding and to determine the measures and protective structures needed to ensure safety. <\/a>EDF Research & Development is working on projects with other EDF teams responsible for power plant engineering and operations, with a view to improving their knowledge and ensuring they are up to date with the latest state of the art hazard-related data, technologies, and methods. Two of these initiatives are presented in this article: firstly, the simulation of wave propagation from the open sea to the point where water overtops protective structures, and secondly, the use of satellite data for flood calculations in the event of extreme flooding. This work is being carried out within the framework of CIFRE PhD theses, financed by EDF R&D, at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Ongoing studies aim to understand the natural hazards likely to cause flooding and to determine the measures and protective structures needed to ensure safety. <\/a>EDF Research & Development is working on projects with other EDF teams responsible for power plant engineering and operations, with a view to improving their knowledge and ensuring they are up to date with the latest state of the art hazard-related data, technologies, and methods. Two of these initiatives are presented in this article: firstly, the simulation of wave propagation from the open sea to the point where water overtops protective structures, and secondly, the use of satellite data for flood calculations in the event of extreme flooding. This work is being carried out within the framework of CIFRE PhD theses, financed by EDF R&D, at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Ongoing studies aim to understand the natural hazards likely to cause flooding and to determine the measures and protective structures needed to ensure safety. <\/a>EDF Research & Development is working on projects with other EDF teams responsible for power plant engineering and operations, with a view to improving their knowledge and ensuring they are up to date with the latest state of the art hazard-related data, technologies, and methods. Two of these initiatives are presented in this article: firstly, the simulation of wave propagation from the open sea to the point where water overtops protective structures, and secondly, the use of satellite data for flood calculations in the event of extreme flooding. This work is being carried out within the framework of CIFRE PhD theses, financed by EDF R&D, at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"Wave simulation","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Wave simulation<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Wave simulation<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Wave simulation<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Coastal power plants are exposed to the risk of marine submersions, which may occur when very high sea levels are combined with high waves generated by storms. To ensure that these sites are protected against these hazards, it is essential to be able to estimate wave activity in their vicinity, based on offshore conditions. It is equally important to study the interaction of these waves with protective structures, in particular the average flow rate of water that could overtop these structures under extreme conditions. This knowledge is typically obtained by conducting experiments on scale models in test tanks, and\/or using semi-empirical1 formulas developed based on extensive datasets (both experimental and collected in the field) to estimate the flow rates of water overtopping these structures.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Coastal power plants are exposed to the risk of marine submersions, which may occur when very high sea levels are combined with high waves generated by storms. To ensure that these sites are protected against these hazards, it is essential to be able to estimate wave activity in their vicinity, based on offshore conditions. It is equally important to study the interaction of these waves with protective structures, in particular the average flow rate of water that could overtop these structures under extreme conditions. This knowledge is typically obtained by conducting experiments on scale models in test tanks, and\/or using semi-empirical1<\/a><\/sup> formulas developed based on extensive datasets (both experimental and collected in the field) to estimate the flow rates of water overtopping these structures.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Coastal power plants are exposed to the risk of marine submersions, which may occur when very high sea levels are combined with high waves generated by storms. To ensure that these sites are protected against these hazards, it is essential to be able to estimate wave activity in their vicinity, based on offshore conditions. It is equally important to study the interaction of these waves with protective structures, in particular the average flow rate of water that could overtop these structures under extreme conditions. This knowledge is typically obtained by conducting experiments on scale models in test tanks, and\/or using semi-empirical1<\/a><\/sup> formulas developed based on extensive datasets (both experimental and collected in the field) to estimate the flow rates of water overtopping these structures.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Coastal power plants are exposed to the risk of marine submersions, which may occur when very high sea levels are combined with high waves generated by storms. To ensure that these sites are protected against these hazards, it is essential to be able to estimate wave activity in their vicinity, based on offshore conditions. It is equally important to study the interaction of these waves with protective structures, in particular the average flow rate of water that could overtop these structures under extreme conditions. This knowledge is typically obtained by conducting experiments on scale models in test tanks, and\/or using semi-empirical1<\/a><\/sup> formulas developed based on extensive datasets (both experimental and collected in the field) to estimate the flow rates of water overtopping these structures.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"In addition to these approaches, EDF is developing various simulation codes to analyze wave propagation from the open sea to the coast, wave agitation conditions close to its sites (in intake and discharge channels, for example), and the overtopping of protective structures by waves. EDF is accurately and effectively modeling the various physical processes affecting waves, providing a good understanding of wave conditions in the vicinity of its sites. Furthermore, it is also possible to study the \u201crun-up\u201d (the height to which waves ascend an embankment or structure) and the volume of water that may overtop coastal protections.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    In addition to these approaches, EDF is developing various simulation codes to analyze wave propagation from the open sea to the coast, wave agitation conditions close to its sites (in intake and discharge channels, for example), and the overtopping of protective structures by waves. EDF is accurately and effectively modeling the various physical processes affecting waves, providing a good understanding of wave conditions in the vicinity of its sites. Furthermore, it is also possible to study the \u201crun-up\u201d (the height to which waves ascend an embankment or structure) and the volume of water that may overtop coastal protections.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    In addition to these approaches, EDF is developing various simulation codes to analyze wave propagation from the open sea to the coast, wave agitation conditions close to its sites (in intake and discharge channels, for example), and the overtopping of protective structures by waves. EDF is accurately and effectively modeling the various physical processes affecting waves, providing a good understanding of wave conditions in the vicinity of its sites. Furthermore, it is also possible to study the \u201crun-up\u201d (the height to which waves ascend an embankment or structure) and the volume of water that may overtop coastal protections.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    In addition to these approaches, EDF is developing various simulation codes to analyze wave propagation from the open sea to the coast, wave agitation conditions close to its sites (in intake and discharge channels, for example), and the overtopping of protective structures by waves. EDF is accurately and effectively modeling the various physical processes affecting waves, providing a good understanding of wave conditions in the vicinity of its sites. Furthermore, it is also possible to study the \u201crun-up\u201d (the height to which waves ascend an embankment or structure) and the volume of water that may overtop coastal protections.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/columns","attrs":{"verticalAlignment":"","isStackedOnMobile":true,"templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-columns","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/column","attrs":{"width":"100%","verticalAlignment":"","templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-column","style":"flex-basis:100%","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/gallery","attrs":{"linkTo":"none","sizeSlug":"full","images":[],"ids":[],"shortCodeTransforms":[],"columns":0,"caption":"","imageCrop":true,"randomOrder":false,"fixedHeight":true,"linkTarget":"","allowResize":false,"aspectRatio":"auto","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":6895,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Fig21-2.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":6893,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Fig22.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
    \n\n<\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    ",null,"\n\n",null,"<\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \n
    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
    <\/div>\n","innerContent":["\n
    ",null,"<\/div>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
    <\/div>\n","innerContent":["\n
    ",null,"<\/div>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \n
    \n
    \n
    \"\"
    Example visualization of a simulation of wave propagation and dike overtopping (reproduction of a wave channel test). (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Photo of a dike overtopping test in a laboratory. (Photo credit: Guillaume Coulaud, Antoine Villefer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"These simulation codes are validated using experimental data from tank tests or collected in the field. Once validated, these tools are a quick and accurate way of quantifying the risk of wave overtopping and guaranteeing plant safety against well-defined extreme storm conditions.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    These simulation codes are validated using experimental data from tank tests or collected in the field. Once validated, these tools are a quick and accurate way of quantifying the risk of wave overtopping and guaranteeing plant safety against well-defined extreme storm conditions.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    These simulation codes are validated using experimental data from tank tests or collected in the field. Once validated, these tools are a quick and accurate way of quantifying the risk of wave overtopping and guaranteeing plant safety against well-defined extreme storm conditions.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    These simulation codes are validated using experimental data from tank tests or collected in the field. Once validated, these tools are a quick and accurate way of quantifying the risk of wave overtopping and guaranteeing plant safety against well-defined extreme storm conditions.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":"Putting satellite images to good use","level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Putting satellite images to good use<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Putting satellite images to good use<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Putting satellite images to good use<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"For nuclear facilities located on rivers, simulations covering large areas along waterways play a key role in their safety. To understand how water spreads during a flood, models based on physics equations2 simulate changes in water height at different times and places on a two-dimensional map. These models contain parameters that are calibrated by comparing the results of numerical simulations with data available from major floods. The main calibration parameter in these flood studies is the roughness coefficient, which is in principle variable in space (depending on the type of terrain, slope, or vegetation). This coefficient influences the speed of the water flow, especially at the front of the flood, and therefore determines the flood height and the extent of flooded areas.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    For nuclear facilities located on rivers, simulations covering large areas along waterways play a key role in their safety. To understand how water spreads during a flood, models based on physics equations2<\/a><\/sup> simulate changes in water height at different times and places on a two-dimensional map. These models contain parameters that are calibrated by comparing the results of numerical simulations with data available from major floods. The main calibration parameter in these flood studies is the roughness coefficient, which is in principle variable in space (depending on the type of terrain, slope, or vegetation). This coefficient influences the speed of the water flow, especially at the front of the flood, and therefore determines the flood height and the extent of flooded areas.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    For nuclear facilities located on rivers, simulations covering large areas along waterways play a key role in their safety. To understand how water spreads during a flood, models based on physics equations2<\/a><\/sup> simulate changes in water height at different times and places on a two-dimensional map. These models contain parameters that are calibrated by comparing the results of numerical simulations with data available from major floods. The main calibration parameter in these flood studies is the roughness coefficient, which is in principle variable in space (depending on the type of terrain, slope, or vegetation). This coefficient influences the speed of the water flow, especially at the front of the flood, and therefore determines the flood height and the extent of flooded areas.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    For nuclear facilities located on rivers, simulations covering large areas along waterways play a key role in their safety. To understand how water spreads during a flood, models based on physics equations2<\/a><\/sup> simulate changes in water height at different times and places on a two-dimensional map. These models contain parameters that are calibrated by comparing the results of numerical simulations with data available from major floods. The main calibration parameter in these flood studies is the roughness coefficient, which is in principle variable in space (depending on the type of terrain, slope, or vegetation). This coefficient influences the speed of the water flow, especially at the front of the flood, and therefore determines the flood height and the extent of flooded areas.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"We currently calibrate the roughness of a river\u2019s minor bed (the area that is always under water) using water level data collected regularly at measuring stations along the river. However, for the floodplain or major bed (the part where water flows only during floods), model calibration is reliant on a limited number of observations, sometimes a long time apart and covering only certain parts of the floodplain (each flood does not necessarily cover the entire area modeled for nuclear safety purposes). This lack of data means we have typically defined roughness coefficients for the floodplain \u201caccording to expert opinion\u201d (using literature, laboratory experiments, etc.).","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    We currently calibrate the roughness of a river\u2019s minor bed (the area that is always under water) using water level data collected regularly at measuring stations along the river. However, for the floodplain or major bed (the part where water flows only during floods), model calibration is reliant on a limited number of observations, sometimes a long time apart and covering only certain parts of the floodplain (each flood does not necessarily cover the entire area modeled for nuclear safety purposes). This lack of data means we have typically defined roughness coefficients for the floodplain \u201caccording to expert opinion\u201d (using literature, laboratory experiments, etc.).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    We currently calibrate the roughness of a river\u2019s minor bed (the area that is always under water) using water level data collected regularly at measuring stations along the river. However, for the floodplain or major bed (the part where water flows only during floods), model calibration is reliant on a limited number of observations, sometimes a long time apart and covering only certain parts of the floodplain (each flood does not necessarily cover the entire area modeled for nuclear safety purposes). This lack of data means we have typically defined roughness coefficients for the floodplain \u201caccording to expert opinion\u201d (using literature, laboratory experiments, etc.).<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    We currently calibrate the roughness of a river\u2019s minor bed (the area that is always under water) using water level data collected regularly at measuring stations along the river. However, for the floodplain or major bed (the part where water flows only during floods), model calibration is reliant on a limited number of observations, sometimes a long time apart and covering only certain parts of the floodplain (each flood does not necessarily cover the entire area modeled for nuclear safety purposes). This lack of data means we have typically defined roughness coefficients for the floodplain \u201caccording to expert opinion\u201d (using literature, laboratory experiments, etc.).<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Today, however, with the rapid development of satellite observation, new spatial data are available to us for calibrating the roughness coefficients in floodplains. Some satellites can detect changes caused by the presence of water when a flood occurs. Radar satellites, for example, can detect flooding through clouds, both at night and during the day (see figure 3).","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Today, however, with the rapid development of satellite observation, new spatial data are available to us for calibrating the roughness coefficients in floodplains. Some satellites can detect changes caused by the presence of water when a flood occurs. Radar satellites, for example, can detect flooding through clouds, both at night and during the day (see figure 3).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Today, however, with the rapid development of satellite observation, new spatial data are available to us for calibrating the roughness coefficients in floodplains. Some satellites can detect changes caused by the presence of water when a flood occurs. Radar satellites, for example, can detect flooding through clouds, both at night and during the day (see figure 3).<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Today, however, with the rapid development of satellite observation, new spatial data are available to us for calibrating the roughness coefficients in floodplains. Some satellites can detect changes caused by the presence of water when a flood occurs. Radar satellites, for example, can detect flooding through clouds, both at night and during the day (see figure 3).<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":6897,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Fig3-1024x631.jpg","alt":"","caption":"Sentinel-1 satellite images before and during a flood on the Garonne in early February 2021. Authors provided","lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    \"\"
    Sentinel-1 satellite images before and during a flood on the Garonne in early February 2021. Authors provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
    \"\"
    Sentinel-1 satellite images before and during a flood on the Garonne in early February 2021. Authors provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
    \"\"
    Sentinel-1 satellite images before and during a flood on the Garonne in early February 2021. Authors provided<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"Calibration is performed using mathematical optimization tools, enabling us to calibrate model parameters by combining expert opinion and uncertain satellite observations.","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    Calibration is performed using mathematical optimization tools, enabling us to calibrate model parameters by combining expert opinion and uncertain satellite observations.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    Calibration is performed using mathematical optimization tools, enabling us to calibrate model parameters by combining expert opinion and uncertain satellite observations.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    Calibration is performed using mathematical optimization tools, enabling us to calibrate model parameters by combining expert opinion and uncertain satellite observations.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":"","dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

    <\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

    <\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

    <\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/footnotes","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""}],"seo":{"title":"Numerical simulation of flood risks in nuclear power plants"},"media":{"img":"\"\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/bandeau_TJ_CG.jpg"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/numerical-simulation-of-flood-risks-in-nuclear-power-plants\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Guillaume Coulaud","url":"\/en\/authors\/guillaume-coulaud\/","id":"6910","media":"\"\"","slug":"guillaume-coulaud"},{"title":"Jean-Paul Travert","url":"\/en\/authors\/jean-paul-travert\/","id":"6912","media":"\"\"","slug":"jean-paul-travert"}],"subject":[{"title":"Energy, Ecology & Climate","url":"\/en\/subjects\/energy-ecology-climate\/","id":"937","media":"\"\"","slug":"energy-ecology-climate"},{"title":"Digital Technology, Modeling & Artificial Intelligence","url":"\/en\/subjects\/digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence\/","id":"690","media":"\"\"","slug":"digital-technology-modeling-artificial-intelligence"}],"category":[],"folder":[{"title":"Nuclear power : history, risks and challenges","url":"\/en\/folders\/nuclear-power-history-risks-and-challenges\/","id":"6913","media":"\"\"","slug":"nuclear-power-history-risks-and-challenges"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/la-simulation-numerique-face-aux-risques-dinondations-des-centrales-nucleaires\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"4","custom_excerpt":"Nuclear power plants, often located near bodies of water (the sea, estuaries, or rivers), require special attention due to the risk of flooding. What can be done to protect these sites from such hazards? Numerical simulation and the use of satellite data are the focus of research at EDF R&D's Laboratoire National d\u2019Hydraulique et Environnement and at the Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory.","duration_type":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6922"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6924,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6922\/revisions\/6924"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-types?post=6922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}