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A Subcritical Assembly for Training and Education Use at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

A near-final design has been completed for a new subcritical assembly at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This subcritical assembly will support the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) training and education program to augment current subcritical assembly capabilities at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Other collaborations have been proposed with the Sunrise Consortium and others. This proposed subcritical assembly uses legacy AGN-201M research reactor fuel plates that are available from the Y-12 National Security Complex. This subcritical assembly contains approximately 620 grams of 235 U as UO 2 particulates distributed homogeneously in radiation-stabilized polyethylene. The fuel plates will have a graphite neutron reflector to obtain a core multiplication, M, from 10 to 50, corresponding to a k eff of 0.9 to 0.95, respectively. The subcritical assembly will be able to support at least four experiments for the training courses: (1) the addition of fissile material to increase neutron multiplication (mass), (2) a core separation experiment (interaction), (3) the effect of adding moderators to the core (moderation), and (4) the effect of adding neutron absorbers to the core (poison/absorption). The proposed ORNL subcritical assembly will provide additional student bandwidth to support NCSP training courses and to provide for some backup capacity if nuclear facility operations are disrupted at SNL or NCERC due to some unforeseen issue. The subcritical assembly will be designed to be an inherently safe subcritical assembly—subcritical under all normal and abnormal conditions—and it will provide the capability to conduct hands-on training to support NCSP and general nuclear criticality safety (NCS) staff training and qualification goals.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Current Status of the DOE/NNSA Nuclear Criticality Safety Program Hands-On Criticality Safety Training [Abstract]

The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) has conducted two-week Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) Practitioner courses since 2011 to support the training and qualification of new NCS staff. The course was developed in accordance with the American National Standard Institute/American Nuclear Society (ANSI/ANS) standard for NCS training and qualifications (ANSI/ANS-8.26-2007). In 2013, an NCS Manager’s course was developed for process supervisors, managers, regulators, and other professionals with NCS-related responsibilities. This course was revised in 2019 for Criticality Safety Officers (CSOs) based on an NCSP Criticality Safety Support Group tasking (2018-01). This course was piloted at the Nevada Field Office and the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) in June 2021. These courses consist of the following training components: classroom education, facility training, and hands-on subcritical and critical experiments training. The two-week Practitioner course offers a week of classroom training, with practical workshops and exercises focused on teaching students how to perform an NCS evaluation. The second week of training involves hands-on critical and subcritical experiments and measurements. The first week is offered in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the DOE Nevada Field Office or the National Atomic Testing Museum. Depending on the student’s clearance level, the second week is offered at Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) (uncleared and L-cleared students) or at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (Q-cleared students). The one-week Manager’s course is offered at SNL or NCERC, depending on clearance or interest, and includes classroom and hands-on critical and subcritical experiments and measurements. This paper provides an overview and status report for the DOE/NNSA NCSP training courses in NCS and to provide information about future course offerings. This paper will also discuss the challenges associated with executing the training courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2-week Practitioner and 1-week manager courses are currently offered twice per year and adjustments are made based upon demand.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

A Subcritical Assembly for Training and Education Use at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory [Abstract]

A near-final design has been completed for a new subcritical assembly at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This subcritical assembly will support the Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) training and education program to augment current subcritical assembly capabilities at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC). Other collaborations have been proposed with the Sunrise Consortium and others. This proposed subcritical assembly uses legacy AGN-201M research reactor fuel plates that are available from the Y-12 National Security Complex. This subcritical assembly contains approximately 620 grams of 235 U as UO 2 particulates distributed homogeneously in radiation-stabilized polyethylene. The fuel plates will have a graphite neutron reflector to obtain a core multiplication, M, from 10 to 50, corresponding to a k eff of 0.9 to 0.95, respectively. The subcritical assembly will be able to support at least four experiments for the training courses: (1) the addition of fissile material to increase neutron multiplication (mass), (2) a core separation experiment (interaction), (3) the effect of adding moderators to the core (moderation), and (4) the effect of adding neutron absorbers to the core (poison/absorption). The proposed ORNL subcritical assembly will provide additional student bandwidth to support NCSP training courses and to provide for some backup capacity if nuclear facility operations are disrupted at SNL or NCERC due to some unforeseen issue. The subcritical assembly will be designed to be an inherently safe subcritical assembly—subcritical under all normal and abnormal conditions—and it will provide the capability to conduct hands-on training to support NCSP and general nuclear criticality safety (NCS) staff training and qualification goals.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

An evaluation of nearest neighbor averaging's improvements to the measurement sensitivity of wide-area radiological scanning instruments - 15560

Through the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) program, Sandia worked with the Environmental Restoration Group (ERG) Inc. to verify and validate a novel algorithm used to determine the scanning Critical Level (Lc) and Minimum Detectable Concentration (MDC) (or Minimum Detectable Areal Activity) for the 102F scanning system. Through the use of Monte Carlo statistical simulations the algorithm mathematically demonstrates accuracy in determining the Lc and MDC when a nearest-neighbor averaging (NNA) technique was used. To empirically validate this approach, SNL prepared several spiked sources and ran a test with the ERG 102F instrument on a bare concrete floor known to have no radiological contamination other than background naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). The tests conclude that the NNA technique increases the sensitivity (decreases the Lc and MDC) for high-density data maps that are obtained by scanning radiological survey instruments. It is further described in Sandia Laboratories document number SAND2014-16522. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Current status of the DOE/NNSA nuclear criticality safety program hands-on criticality safety training courses

In 2011 the US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP) developed and piloted a 2-week nuclear criticality safety (NCS) practitioner course to support training and qualification of new NCS staff. The course was developed in accordance with the American National Standard Institute/American Nuclear Society (ANSI/ANS) standard for NCS training and qualifications (ANSI/ANS-8.26-2007). In 2013, an NCS manager's course was developed for process supervisors, managers, regulators, and other professionals with NCS-related responsibilities. These courses consist of classroom education, facility training, and hands-on subcritical and critical experiments training. Each course is currently offered twice per year. The 2-week practitioner course offers a week of classroom training, with practical workshops and exercises focused on teaching students how to perform an NCS evaluation. The second week of training involves hands-on critical and subcritical experiments and measurements. The first week is offered in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the DOE Nevada Field Office or the National Atomic Testing Museum. Depending on the student's clearance level, the second week is offered at Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) (uncleared and L-cleared students) or at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) (Q-cleared students). The 1-week manager's course is offered at SNL or NCERC, depending on clearance or interest, and includes classroom and hands-on critical and subcritical experiments and measurements. This paper provides an overview and status report for the DOE/NNSA NCSP training courses in NCS and provides information about future course offerings. (author)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Detailed Study of the Transient Rod Pneumatic System on the Annular Core Research Reactor

The Annular Core Research Reactor Facility (ACRRF) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) houses the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR), which is a TRIGA design with a few modifications by General Atomics and SNL. Being a TRIGA design, the reactor operates in either steady-state or pulse mode, the latter caused by rapid ejection of three transient rods (TRs) with attached poison rods from the reactor core. The primary mission of the ACRR is to provide a significant flux of high energy neutrons into a dry central cavity for experiments. This research was prompted by intermittent failures in the dashpot rod in TR A. Throughout the 40+ year history of operation, all TRs have failed but TR A has exhibited an increased rate of failure as compared to TR B and C. The research presented here is a foundation for understanding why TR A is failing more often. This paper focuses on the analysis of a pressure distribution and derives from it displacement and timing of the TRs. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Lagrangian 3D CFD Simulation of Turbulent Aerosol Experiments

As a continuation of Year 2 of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Safety Research and Development (NSRD) project, high-fidelity computational tools developed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) were used to substantiate airborne release fraction and respirable fraction data in DOE-HDBK-3010. For this research, SNL's incompressible Fuego computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code was coupled onto thousands of Lagrangian aerosol particles that were individually tracked. Although Fuego does not currently have a particle interaction model (e.g., agglomeration), aerosol resuspension was implemented this year as a part of this project. The model improvement from exploratory simulations, as described in the previous year, will be discussed in this paper, along with other simulations for other aerosol experiments that use the resuspension model. In addition, key experiment turbulence parameters will be calculated, and various turbulence models will be examined for applicability towards complex geometries and dispersal conditions. (authors)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Preliminary Cyber-Informed Dynamic Branch Conditions for Analysis with the Dynamic Simplified Cyber MELCOR Model

Instrumentation and control of nuclear power is transforming from analog to modern digital assets. These control systems perform key safety and security functions. This transformation is occurring in new plant designs as well as in the existing fleet of plants as the operation of those plants is extended to 60 years. This transformation introduces new and unknown exploits involving both digital asset induced safety issues and security exploits. Traditional the open literature of nuclear power risk assessment tools and cyber security assessment methods have not been modified or developed to address the unique nature of cyber failure modes and of cyber security threats. Starting in 2015, Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) embarked on a two year dynamic cyber-risk informed project to facilitate the analysis of unique cyber failure modes and the time sequencing of cyber faults, both malicious and non-malicious, and impose those cyber exploits and cyber faults onto a nuclear power plant accident sequence simulator code to assess how cyber exploits and cyber faults could interact with a plant's digital instrumentation and control (DI and C) system in the absence of digital controls. This will be achieved by coupling SNL's existing dynamic scheduler code (ADAPT), nuclear accident simulator code (MELCOR), and cyber Emulytics code (SCEPTRE) to demonstrate real-time simulation of cyber exploits and their impact on automatic DI and C responses. Studying such potential time-sequenced cyber-attacks and their risks (i.e., the associated impact and the associated degree of difficulty to achieve the attack vector) as they pertain to accident management will provide a risk informed basis for developing effective cyber security controls for nuclear power. This paper will discuss the rationale behind the proposed generic cyber exploits for an abstracted Pressurized Water Reactor that has adopted a unified DI and C System. Other papers related to this project submitted to this conference discuss: - The MELCOR model for this abstracted reactor, called the Dynamic Simplified Cyber (DSC) model, - Modifications to ADAPT to: Extend the framework for multiple simulators, Incorporation of importance measures into dynamic event tree analysis, Sort and reduce the dynamic event tree based upon inputs to or outputs from the tree, and - A feasibility study for using density based clustering methods with dynamic time wrapping to cluster and prune dynamic event trees. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Critical Experiments Targeting the Epithermal/Intermediate Cross Sections of Tantalum

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have collaborated to develop a capability to test the epithermal/intermediate cross sections of materials at the SNL critical experiments facility using the Seven Percent Critical Experiment (7uPCX) fuel. The Sandia Critical Experiments Program provides a specialized facility for performing water moderated and reflected critical experiments with UO 2 fuel rod arrays. The facility offers the ability to modify the core configuration and reactor tank to evaluate various reactor cores for pitch, moderator characteristics, and other criteria. A history of safe operations and flexibility in reactor core configuration has resulted in the completion of nine sets of critical benchmark experiments that have been documented in the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP) Handbook. The experiment described here is expected to be evaluated for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the ICSBEP Handbook.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Seasonality of sea ice extent and microbarom amplitude at high-latitude IMS infrasound stations

Presentation to be delivered at CTBTO's Science and Technology 2025 conference in Vienna, Austria Sept 2025 - A prior version of this presentation has undergone SNL's IR/Sensitivity Review process (with the following classification: “Unclassified, with no sensitivities, but not authorized for widespread or public release”) and subsequent HQ IA review. All changes since that version have been minor, with no substantive changes to the content or meaning

Schaible, Loring Pratt [Sandia National Laboratori↗

Further Development of the Tamped Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability Method and Application to Molybdenum Dynamic Strength Calibration and Tabulation

The high pressure and high strain rate dynamic strength of Mo is experimentally and computationally investigated in the 3–20 GPa stress, 50–600 C temperature, and 10 5 –10 6 /s strain rate regimes using a modified tamped Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) method. Modifications to the tamped RMI method include a method to determine loading states during strain, a new strength calibration function based on interface shape, and a robust uncertainty quantification method. These modifications improve fidelity of the tamped RMI method, allowing evaluation of the compensating effects of pressure hardening, strain rate hardening, strain hardening, and thermal softening. The new calibration function based on interface shape is not limited to sinusoidal corrugations and could be applied to additional interface shapes. Plate impact experiments are performed at Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source’s Dynamic Compression Sector operated by Washington State University (DCS), driving a planar shock front through a corrugated Mo-D 2 O or Mo-C 8 F 18 interface, forcing the corrugation to significantly deform. The extent of interfacial deformation, RMI growth, is experimentally observed using X-ray phase contrast imaging at the DCS. RMI jet lengths and jet shapes are extracted from the experimental radiographs, then used to calibrate numerical simulations performed with the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) hydrocode CTH. Mo yield strength, Y, as a function of shock pressure, P, strain rate, $\dot{\varepsilon }$, accumulated strain, ϵ, relative volumetric compression, RD , and temperature, T , is determined for each impact experiment and presented. The calibrated Mo yield strength values range 1.2–1.8 GPa, with strength generally decreasing as the impact stress increases. This trend is likely caused by thermal softening or strain localization. The tabular yield strength versus loading condition data presented in this paper can be used to fit complex strength models.

Voorhees, T. J. [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Li↗

Supply Chain Improvement & Process Modification Printing in Tantalum

Refractory metals and alloys are distinguished by their exceptional thermophysical properties, including high melting and recrystallization temperatures, remarkable strength, and superior corrosion resistance, all of which surpass those of conventional alloys. These unique characteristics position these materials as ideal candidates for applications in extreme environments. However, their potential has historically been underexploited due to limitations in processing capabilities. Recent advancements in melt-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes present opportunities to overcome these limitations. Previous Sandia studies have successfully characterized pure tantalum produced through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) externally at Castheon, revealing that LPBF-fabricated tantalum exhibits properties exceeding those of wrought materials. This promising outcome sparked increased interest in the internal additive manufacturing of tantalum. This project aimed to establish the new SLM 280 machine at SNL-CA to successfully produce the first tantalum prints and characterize the material. Additionally, efforts were made to enhance the machine by incorporating Inert equipment to minimize oxygen content within the print volume. The results demonstrated that internally manufactured LPBF tantalum not only met but exceeded the standards of wrought materials, even prior to the integration of the additional equipment. The inert equipment is almost successfully integrated and ready for use. Future research should focus on understanding how this equipment influences the process-structure-property relationships, as well as further optimizing the printing parameters for tantalum.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Cyber-Physical Tabletop Exercise for Small Modular Reactor Facilities

U.S. nuclear power facilities face increasing challenges in meeting dynamic security requirements caused by evolving and expanding threats while keeping costs reasonable to make nuclear energy competitive. This evolving threat landscape includes adversaries having offensive cyber capabilities to attack information technology (IT) systems and operation technology (OT) systems. These adversaries may have the ability to attack the physical protection system (PPS) networks with potential consequential impacts that could degrade the effectiveness of the PPS. These cyber attacks may also be used to attack the safety and operational systems used to operate and ensure the safety of the reactor. Additionally, adversaries may gain access to unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that may be used to provide reconnaissance and surveillance of the facility, provide information to the adversaries, and be equipped with kinetic capabilities such as explosives or weapons that can be used to directly attack the facility. The Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Reactor Safeguards and Security (ARSS) program funded Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop a cyber-physical tabletop exercise (TTX). This exercise was conducted on a hypothetical small modular reactor (SMR) facility, and only considered a potential adversary cyber attack on the PPS to a physical attack on the hypothetical facility to achieve a radiological release. This cyber-physical TTX is meant to provide lessons learned to integrate the cyber security system design and the physical protection system (PPS) design to decrease design, operation, and maintenance costs as well as increase effectiveness for defending against design basis threat attacks at the facility. This TTX will also provide a framework and method for SMR and microreactor vendors to conduct their own cyber-physical TTX and gain impactful insights to improving the cyber and physical protection system design for their SMR or microreactor facility design.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Biofouling and Corrosion Study for a Novel Linear Guided Wave Energy Converter (Post Access Report)

The overall objective of this project was to examine the reliability and performance of antibiofouling coatings used for a wave energy converter (WEC) developed by E-Wave Technologies. The particular coatings were selected for their low toxicity and potential compatibility with aquaculture. The aim of this work was to 1) test coating solutions to prevent biofouling growth and saltwater corrosion on the static (paddle and attachment frame surface) components of the WEC that are submerged, 2) determine adhesion of the coatings to system components, and 3) assess the ease and effectiveness of biofouling cleaning to insure long term performance of the system. An analysis of commercial coatings was performed using methods to examine the prevention of biofouling and coating adhesion properties on two key materials of the WEC, which were 316L low carbon marine grade stainless steel (SS) and Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (PE). Three marine antifouling paints were selected based on their unique properties to test how different paint styles perform on different materials. The selected paints were ePaint Ecominder self-polishing paint with Zinc Omadine for slime control, Pettit ECO HRT Copper-Free ablative antifouling with Econea biocide, and Intersleek 1100SR foul release. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) prepared PE and SS substrates coated with the three paints and compared the performance against uncoated substrates when submerged in raw seawater for 3-, 6-, and 9-month (m) time periods. Results in adhesion testing indicated that Pettit and ePaint materials clearly bonded strongly to SS, but did not bond comparably well to PE. It was noted during adhesion testing that the Intersleek surfaces were especially difficult to test as the paint highly resists bonding to the epoxy adhesives used with the adherence testing platform. The wear rate of the coatings was not measured under this study; however, based on adhesion testing, coatings in the sliding regions of the Ewave device are expected to wear rapidly. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) evaluated the adhesion of three different paints to PE and SS substrates which were exposed to a marine environment for time intervals of 0, 3, 6, and 9 months. From qualitative visual analysis of the 3 in2 coupons when pulled from the tank, the 3 in2 coupons generally only appeared to have biofouling consisting of filamentous algae or diatoms, which all have relatively low mass and can be easily wiped from the surface of coupons. Qualitative visual analysis indicated that ECO HRT and Unpainted were consistently worse than Intersleek and Ecominder at all time points. Results provide insight to aid with down-selection of commercial coatings under static conditions to support reliability of the WEC and potential maintenance schedules. This investigation was conducted using small coupon samples suspended in seawater and the development of testing rigs for dynamic component level testing is needed for future work. In addition, the potential toxicity of these commercial coatings on aquaculture has not been determined by this study. One recommendation is to conduct toxicity investigations at the Environmental Toxicity Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Material Control & Accounting Modeling Developments for a Generic TRISO Fuel Fabrication Facility

The Material Protection, Accounting, and Control Technologies (MPACT) program utilizes modeling and simulation to assess Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) concerns for a variety of nuclear facilities. The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)-developed Fissile Facility Flow Modeler (F3M) and the Material Accountancy Performance Indicator Toolkit (MAPIT) have historically provided MPACT with the capability to analyze MC&A approaches for nuclear facilities to determine that these facilities meet regulatory requirements. In FY25, improvements on the application of the F3M and MAPIT tools to simulate a generic TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel fabrication facility were successfully completed. The generic TRISO fuel fabrication F3M model captures the entire TRISO fuel fabrication process and is adaptable to any final TRISO fuel form, including spherical pebbles and cylindrical compacts loaded into graphite prismatic blocks. Comprehensive F3M/MAPIT functionality for the generic TRISO fuel fabrication model has been demonstrated. This modeling framework can be applied to support the U.S. Department of Energy and domestic nuclear industry stakeholders in developing MC&A approaches for advanced fuel fabrication facilities via statistical tests that demonstrate compliance to regulatory requirements.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Material Control & Accounting Statistical Test Modeling Supporting the Low Enriched Fuel Fabrication Facility Using F3M and MAPIT

This report covers the application of the TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel fabrication facility material control & accounting (MC&A) modeling capability developed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Materials Protection, Accounting, and Control Technologies (MPACT) program to support the development of MC&A approaches for the Low Enriched Fuel Fabrication Facility (LEFFF) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Ultra-High Operation Temperature SiC-matrix Solar Thermal Air Receiver (HOTSSTAR) enabled by additive manufacturing: Test Facility & Performance Evaluations

Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) cavity receivers are capable of generating electricity or industrial process heat by absorbing thermal energy from solar radiation, focused on a small area. The concentration of solar radiation on the small area of the receiver enables the achievement of high temperatures (ranging from 400°C to 1,100°C) of a working fluid, thus making the SHIP technology thermodynamically comparable with conventional power plants. A volumetric receiver consists of a porous structure-generally made of silicon carbide or metal, which absorbs solar radiation and converts it into heat energy. Heat energy from the porous materials is then transferred to the fluid following through them. A volumetric receiver acts as a convective heat exchanger, transferring heat to the fluid through convection. Open-loop volumetric receivers work with air at atmospheric pressure and are suitable for single-cycle or multi-cycle energy plants. A Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach was used to develop a test bed at Sandia national Laboratories (SNL) capable of demonstrating an open-loop volumetric air receiver developed by General Electric Aerospace (GE Aerospace). This paper presents the development of the various MBSE methods, test bed, and testing operations for the GE air receiver, which was experimentally demonstrated to achieve 1,350°C for over 3 hours of operation and an approximate 70% receiver efficiency. By being able to achieve such high temperatures >1,000°C, this work provides the potential to support many SHIP industrial use cases.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Evaluation of IEC 62443 Standard Gaps for Electric Grid Substation Model Use Case

This report presents an evaluation of the IEC 62443 standards in the context of electric grid substations, as part of a collaborative effort among Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The primary objective is to assess the applicability of these standards to enhance cybersecurity measures for industrial automation and control systems (IACS) within the energy sector. The evaluation identifies strengths, such as the scalability of security levels and the structured lifecycle guidance provided by IEC 62443. However, it also highlights significant gaps, including limited integration of physical security, insufficient guidance for legacy systems, and challenges in addressing emerging threats like supply chain vulnerabilities. Recommendations for refining the standards are proposed, including the need for tailored guidance for securing legacy systems, integrating physical security with cybersecurity frameworks, and enhancing interoperability across multi-vendor environments. By addressing these gaps, the IEC 62443 standards can be strengthened to ensure comprehensive cybersecurity for electric grid substations, thereby supporting the resilience and reliability of critical energy infrastructure.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗