Getting Started#
This user guide will assist you in:
Running ACCERT via Python: Executing ACCERT from the command line using a Python script.
Running ACCERT via NEAMS Workbench: Utilizing ACCERT within the NEAMS Workbench environment.
Running Your First Estimation: Instructions on inputting parameters, executing calculations, and interpreting results.
Exploring Advanced Features: Insights into advanced functionalities, such as customizing algorithms and integrating new data sets.
Setting Up ACCERT#
Prior to running ACCERT, please ensure that you have completed the installation steps as outlined in the Installation Guide.
Using ACCERT via Python#
Prepare Your Input File
ACCERT requires an input file in SON format (.son), which specifies the parameters and variables for your reactor model.
You may utilize one of the provided reference models or create a custom input file.
Example reference models include:
PWR12-BE.son
ABR1000.son
heatpipe.son
Fusion.son
Open a terminal and navigate to the directory containing your input file (e.g., tutorial):
$ cd ACCERT/tutorial
Modify Reactor Parameters
For this guide, we will use the PWR12-BE.son reference model, feel free to replace it with your preferred model. Open the .son file using a text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as Visual Studio Code.
Specify the required parameters for your reactor model:
Thermal Power (`mwth`): The reactor’s thermal power output in megawatts (MW).
Electric Power (`mwe`): The reactor’s electric power output in megawatts (MW).
Optionally, adjust additional variables to align with your reactor design.
Example Variable Modification:
var(Cont_rad_out_m) { value = 30 unit = m }This modification sets the containment radius to 30 meters.
Run ACCERT
Execute ACCERT using the Main.py script and specify your input file:
$ python ../src/Main.py -i myinput.son
Replace myinput.son with the path to your specific input file. ACCERT will process the input parameters and generate cost estimates based on the provided data.
View the Output
ACCERT generates an output file named output.out.
Open output.out in your text editor to review the results.
The output includes:
User Input Summary: Details the reference model and parameters utilized.
Extracted Variables: Lists the variables that have been modified and their corresponding values.
Affected Cost Elements: Identifies which cost elements are influenced by the modified variables.
Updated Cost Elements: Provides details on how each cost element was recalculated based on the applied algorithms.
Roll-up of Cost Elements: Aggregates cost elements from lower levels to higher levels within the COA hierarchy.
Results Table: Presents a summary table of COAs, descriptions, costs, and review statuses.
GNCOA or EEDB COA Ordering: Results are ordered according to the selected COA framework.
Example Output Snippet:
======================================== Reading user input ======================================== [USER_INPUT] Reference model is "PWR12-BE" Parameter "mwe" is required for cost elements: 241_fac, 242_fac, 245_fac, 246_fac, 241_lab, ... [USER_INPUT] Thermal power is 3000 MW [USER_INPUT] Electric power is 1000 MW
Note: The complete output is extensive; please refer to output.out for full details.
Review Results
Analyze the output.out file to understand the impact of your input parameters on the cost estimates.
Consult the Results Table to assess costs and review statuses of various components.
Output Files
ACCERT may generate additional output files in Excel format for in-depth analysis:
pwr12-be_variable_affected_cost_elements.xlsx
pwr12-be_updated_cost_element.xlsx
pwr12-be_updated_account.xlsx
These files contain comprehensive data on the cost elements and accounts affected by your inputs.
Using ACCERT via NEAMS Workbench#
Open NEAMS Workbench
Launch the NEAMS Workbench application on your system.
Add ACCERT Configuration
Navigate to Workbench > Configurations.
Click Add and select ACCERT from the list of available configurations.
Set the Executable path to Main.py located in the ACCERT/src/ directory.
Load the grammar by clicking Load Grammar.
Windows Users!
To begin using ACCERT, please change the Main.py file with executable permissions. You can do this by right-clicking the file, selecting Properties, and enabling the Execute permission under the Permissions tab.
Run ACCERT
Open your input file within the Workbench environment.
Click the Run button to execute ACCERT.
Review the results in output.out directly within Workbench.
Analyze Output
Examine the output file to understand the cost estimates and review statuses of various components.
Utilize the Excel files generated by ACCERT for detailed analysis of cost elements and accounts.
Example Output#
Below is an example of ACCERT’s output for a Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) model:
======================================== Reading user input ========================================
[USER_INPUT] Reference model is "PWR12-BE"
Parameter "mwth" is required for cost elements:
213_fac, 222.11_fac, 222.12_fac, 222.14_fac, 222_fac, 226.4_fac, 226.7_fac, 233_fac, 234_fac,
262_fac, 213_lab, 222.11_lab, 222.12_lab, 222.14_lab, 222_lab, 226.4_lab, 226.7_lab, 233_lab,
234_lab, 237_lab, 262_lab, 213_mat, 222.11_mat, 222.12_mat, 222.14_mat, 222_mat, 226.4_mat,
226.7_mat, 233_mat, 234_mat, 237_mat, 262_mat
Parameter "mwe" is required for cost elements:
241_fac, 242_fac, 246_fac, 241_lab, 242_lab, 245_lab, 246_lab, 241_mat, 242_mat, 245_mat, 246_mat
[USER_INPUT] Thermal power is 3000 MW
[USER_INPUT] Electric power is 1000 MW
[Updating] Variable ref_211_fac
[Updated] Changed from 0.284275 million to 0.27 million
..... (additional output details) .....
=================================Extracting user changed variables==================================
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------------+-----------+----------+
| var_name | var_description | var_value | var_unit |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------------+-----------+----------+
| c_213_fac | Turbine building structure factory cost | 1.79 | million |
| c_221.12_cs_weight | weight of the carbon steel parts of the vessel | 538.00 | ton |
| c_221.12_ss_weight | weight of the stainless steel cladding of the vessel | 18.30 | ton |
| c_221.12_tol_weight | weight of the reactor primary vessel | 556.30 | ton |
| mwe | user_input MWE | 1,000.00 | MW |
| mwth | user_input mwth | 3,000.00 | MW |
| n_231 | Scaling exponent law | 1.03 | 1 |
| p_in | Inlet turbine pressure | 68.00 | bar |
| ref_211_fac | yardwork factory cost | 0.27 | million |
| ref_211_mat | yardwork material cost | 10.30 | million |
+---------------------+------------------------------------------------------+-----------+----------+
================================ Extracting affected cost elements =================================
variable "n_231" affects cost element(s):
231_fac
variable "mwth" affects cost element(s):
213_fac, 222.11_fac, 222.12_fac, 222.14_fac, 222_fac, 226.4_fac, 226.7_fac, 233_fac, 234_fac,
262_fac, 213_lab, 222.11_lab, 222.12_lab, 222.14_lab, 222_lab, 226.4_lab, 226.7_lab, 233_lab,
234_lab, 237_lab, 262_lab, 213_mat, 222.11_mat, 222.12_mat, 222.14_mat, 222_mat, 226.4_mat,
226.7_mat, 233_mat, 234_mat, 237_mat, 262_mat
variable "c_221.12_cs_weight" affects cost element(s):
220A.211_fac
... (additional affected cost elements)
====================================== Updating cost elements ======================================
[Updating] Cost element [222_mat], running algorithm: [MWth_scale],
[Updating] with formulation: cost_of_ref * (thermal_power / thermal_power_of_ref) ^ thermal_power_scale
[Updated] Reference value: $523,270 , Calculated value: $523,270
... (additional cost elements updated)
+-----+--------------+-----------------+--------------+----------+---------+
| ind | cost_element | cost_2017 | sup_cost_ele | account | updated |
+-----+--------------+-----------------+--------------+----------+---------+
| 1 | 211_fac | 769339.89 | 21_fac | 211 | 1 |
| 3 | 213_fac | 1607731.2757 | 21_fac | 213 | 1 |
| 24 | 220A.211_fac | 80992349.0 | 220A_fac | 220A.211 | 1 |
| 56 | 222.11_fac | 3305891.38618 | 222_fac | 222.11 | 1 |
| 57 | 222.12_fac | 3842334.19324 | 222_fac | 222.12 | 1 |
| 59 | 222.14_fac | 13140.40834 | 222_fac | 222.14 | 1 |
... (additional cost elements table entries)
====================================== Roll up cost elements =======================================
[Updating] Roll up cost elements from level 3 to level 2
[Updating] Roll up cost elements from level 2 to level 1
[Updating] Roll up cost elements from level 1 to level 0
[Updated] Cost elements rolled up
====================================== Updating account table ======================================
[Updating] Updating account table by cost elements
[Updated] Account table updated from cost elements
========================================== IMPORTANT NOTE ==========================================
Some cost have changed by user inputs and may not be reflected correctly in the cost elements table.
[Updating] Total cost of account 217
[Updated] Changed from 28,149,600.00 dollar to 28,149,700.00 dollar
[Updating] Total cost of account useraddcoa
[Updated] Changed from 9,000,000.00 dollar to 9,000,000.00 dollar
===================================== Rolling up account table =====================================
[Updating] Rolling up account table from level 3 to level 2
[Updating] Rolling up account table from level 2 to level 1
[Updating] Rolling up account table from level 1 to level 0
[Updated] Account table rolled up
=============================== Generating results table for review ================================
+-------+-----------------+-------------------------------------------------+----------+----------+----------+------------+------------------+
| level | code_of_account | account_description | fac_cost | lab_cost | mat_cost | total_cost | review_status |
+-------+-----------------+-------------------------------------------------+----------+----------+----------+------------+------------------+
| 0 | 2 | TOTAL DIRECT COST | 1,419.43 | 767.38 | 341.93 | 2,537.74 | Updated |
| 1 | 21 | Structures and improvements subtotal | 23.33 | 320.64 | 219.52 | 572.49 | Updated |
| 2 | useraddcoa | 'a user added coa' | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | User Input |
| 2 | 211 | Yardwork | 0.77 | 41.33 | 29.35 | 71.45 | Ready for Review |
| 2 | 212 | Reactor containment building | 0 | 101.95 | 80.75 | 182.70 | Unchanged |
| 2 | 213 | Turbine room and heater bay | 1.61 | 28.59 | 29.07 | 59.27 | Ready for Review |
For the complete output, please refer to the output.out file generated by ACCERT.
Next Steps#
Experiment with Variables: Adjust different input parameters to observe their impact on cost estimates.
Understand Algorithms: Familiarize yourself with the cost scaling algorithms employed by ACCERT.
Consult Documentation: Refer to the User’s Guide for comprehensive explanations of ACCERT’s features and functionalities.