PNNL

William J. Ivans, Jr., is an advisor within the Risk & Environmental Assessment group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). He has garnered over 15 years of experience in the development and application of risk-informed methods and decision support tools, having worked not only in academic- and research-based environments but also within the energy and insurance industries. After multiple research appointments at Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, he honed his expertise in nuclear technologies and risk applications within the nuclear industry.  Owing to this expertise, he joined PNNL to support the nuclear industry’s transition to risk-informed licensing and regulatory applications. Additionally, he developed novel risk methods and technologies in support of the DOE, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and international sponsors—most notably with his leadership on efforts to assess risk and decommissioning strategies for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site. Thereafter, he took on leadership positions within the insurance and energy sectors. At a global renewable energy company, he developed and implemented a series of technical and regulatory programs for an international fleet of over 40 power plants. Moreover, during his tenure with an international data analytics firm within the insurance industry, he led the evolution of the firm’s risk strategies and methods for both underwriting and pricing through advanced analytics, data science (machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms), and engineering methods. Now, being back at PNNL, he leads risk applications and research, leading to efficient and effective solutions within technically complex and highly regulated environments.

Ivans, a registered professional engineer within the State of Washington, holds a BS and MS in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida as well as an MS and PhD in fire protection engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 

• Development of Risk and Decision Support Frameworks, Methods, and Tools
• Risk-Informed Regulation and Regulatory Compliance
• Applications of Probabilistic Risk Assessment Methods
• Natural and Human-Caused Hazards
• Data Analysis, Analytics, and Quality
• Hazard and Safety Analysis
• Standards Development
• Fire Protection

• PhD in Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
• MS in Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
• MS in Nuclear Engineering, University of Florida
• BS in Nuclear Engineering, University of Florida

• Registered Professional Engineer (Nuclear), State of Washington
• Professional Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers
• Member, National Fire Protection Association
• Member, American Nuclear Society

2019 

• Ivans WJ, Jr. "Protection of Sprinkler Systems from Freezing: A Risk-Informed, Engineering-Based Methodology." To be presented at the 2019 Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Conference and Expo. (Non-PNNL publication under different employer)

2017

• Ivans W.J., B.A. Napier, E.I. Mart, M.A. Smith, S.F. Snyder, M. Kakami, and M.M. Uematsu. 2017. "Risk Methodology for Assessment of Fuel Debris Retrieval Options at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station." In International Topical Meeting on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2017), September 24-28, 2017, Pittsburgh, PA, 1, 579 - 586. La Grange Park, Illinois:American Nuclear Society. PNNL-ACT-SA-10245.
• Short SM and Ivans WJ, Jr. " Expert Elicitation Process for ISLOCA Modeling – Process, Representative Results, and Lessons Learned." Paper and Presentation to the American Nuclear Society International Topical Meeting on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2017).

2016

• Ivans WJ, Jr., Framework for Assessing the Technical Quality and Adequacy of Performance-Based Design Approaches to Fire Safety Engineering, Presented by William Ivans at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers North America Conference and Expo, September 2016. (Non-PNNL publication done for PhD program)
• Ramuhalli P., A. Veeramany, C.A. Bonebrake, W.J. Ivans, G.A. Coles, and E.H. Hirt. 2016. "Evaluation of Enhanced Risk Monitors for Use on Advanced Reactors." In 24th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE24), June 26-30, 2016, Charlotte, North Carolina, V004T14A003; ICONE24-60040. New York, New York:ASME. PNNL-SA-115283. doi:10.1115/ICONE24-60040

2015

• Ivans WJ, Jr., P Ramuhalli P, EH Hirt, GA Coles and CA Bonebrake. “Addressing Uncertainty in Predictive Estimates of Risk.” 9th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human Machine Interface Technologies (NPIC&HMIT 2015).
• Ramuhalli P., E.H. Hirt, A. Veeramany, C.A. Bonebrake, W.J. Ivans, G.A. Coles, and J.B. Coble, et al. 2015. “Prototypic Enhanced Risk Monitor Framework and Evaluation - Advanced Reactor Technology Milestone: M3AT-15PN2301054,” Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/prototypic-enhanced-risk-monitor-framework-and-evaluation-advanced-reactor-technology
• Short SM, GA Coles, KL Bohlander, RF Layton, Jr., WJ Ivans, Jr., FA dePeralta, and PP Lowry.  "Implementing the NFPA 805 Process: Observations of a Technical Reviewer.” In International Topical Meeting on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2015), April 26-30, 2015, Sun Valley, Idaho, Paper No. 12281.  American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL. https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/implementing-nfpa-805-process-observations-technical-reviewer

2014

• Ramuhalli P, EH Hirt, WJ Ivans, Jr., GA Coles, CA Bonebrake, DW Wootan, and MR Mitchell. 2014. “An Updated Methodology for Enhancing Risk Monitors with Integrated Equipment Condition Assessment.” PNNL-23478, Rev. 0, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA. https://www.pnnl.gov/publications/updated-methodology-enhancing-risk-monitors-integrated-equipment-condition-assessment

• Ivans WJ, Jr. 2014. "Introduction to Predictive Risk Estimation Methods and Applications." Presented by William Ivans (Invited Speaker) at 2014 IEEE International Conference on Prognostics and Health Management, Spokane, WA on June 22, 2014. PNNL-SA-103579.
• Ramuhalli P, CA Bonebrake, WJ Ivans, Jr., EH Hirt, and GA Coles. 2014. "Enhanced Risk Monitoring - Potential Application to Surveillance Test Interval Extension." Presented at Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Working Group (WG) meeting on NRC Initiative 5b, Online WG meeting, DC on April 15, 2014. PNNL-SA-102032.

2013

• Unwin S.D., K.I. Johnson, W.J. Ivans, and P.P. Lowry. 2013. "A PROPOSED METHOD FOR ESTIMATING FAILURE RATES OF DEGRADED PASSIVE COMPONENTS IN THE NRC SIGNIFICANCE DETERMINATION PROCESS." Transactions of the American Nuclear Society 109, no. 1:2049-2050. PNNL-SA-99179.
• Unwin SD, KI Johnson, PP Lowry, and WJ Ivans, Jr. 2013. “A Methodology for Estimating Failure Rates of Degraded Passive Components for Application to the Safety Determination Process.” U.S. NRC Job Code: V6238.  PNNL-22504, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.