Technology development is the direction that sets the pace to construction. The designer cannot choose to use new technology without an appropriate regulatory and technical document. For this purpose SRO provides a committee on innovative technologies.

“Many companies have some interesting developments and ideas, says Vitor Opekunov, the president of SRO of the nuclear industry. – We evaluate them, describe them and set standards for use in projects. Temporary roads at sites without the use of concrete and asphalt can be put as an example. Soil mixed with chemical composition becomes bearing. Solid and smooth coating of about 30 sm thick would stand any kind of trucks. Creation of a standard would open the market and give the way to the ability to use this ”know-how”.

Besides the process automation on construction sites would raise construction to a new level. Welders are the ones who have advanced further in this direction. Automatic welding of pipelines is widely used today on all construction sites. Training people to use the equipment may take a couple of weeks. If we consider that the new VVER-TOI has over a hundred thousand joints, we cannot help admitting that automation is necessary. Assembly works are partly automated. At NPP sites, for example, they are guided by the principle of consolidation: say, the pipeline is assembled from several parts on site, and only after that the unit is installed in its designed place.

The arsenal is getting improved: slings, hoists, jibs, grabs and other lifting devices. In the process of construction management they often use GPS-technology and 4D-modeling of mechanical works methodology. However all this requires trained people.”