ML052060105
| ML052060105 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 07/20/2005 |
| From: | Gody A Operations Branch IV |
| To: | Danni Smith Arizona Public Service Co |
| References | |
| Download: ML052060105 (5) | |
Text
July 20, 2005 David M. Smith, Plant Manager Nuclear Production Arizona Public Service Company Mail Station 7602 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034
SUBJECT:
PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION. UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 -
APPROVAL TO USE A SIMULATION FACILITY OTHER THAN A PLANT REFERENCE SIMULATOR FOR OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATIONS
Reference:
Letter dated March 24, 2005,
Subject:
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3, Docket Nos. STN 50-528/529/530, Nuclear Operator License Training Program
Dear Mr. Smith:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed its review of your request dated March 24, 2005, for approval to use a simulation facility other than a plant reference simulator for operator license testing.
The ANSI/ANS-3.5, "Nuclear Power Plant Simulators for use in Operator Training," 1985 standard recognizes that facilities will undergo design changes. Each of these design changes must be evaluated to assure that those changes that affect the operation of the facility be reflected, if applicable, in the simulator to ensure simulator fidelity is maintained. It also recognizes that a reasonable design change lead or lag (i.e., the actual plant change is performed prior to or after the change is made to the simulator) is expected. The NRC expects that (1) any simulator design changes would be tested in accordance with ANSI/ANS-3.5, (2) any simulator-to-plant differences resulting from a lead or lag situation would be appropriately addressed in the training program (as would any unit-to-unit differences at a multi-unit facility),
and (3) that such differences will be resolved within the time frame specified in the ANSI standard. The NRC may refuse to administer operating tests on a simulator that has not been appropriately tested or if the simulator is found to not meet the requirements of 10 CFR 55.46(c)(1)(i).
Based on the information provided by Arizona Public Service Company in its letter of March 24, 2005, and the reasons stated above, the NRC finds that both Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station simulators are suitable for the conduct of operating tests for the facility licensees reference plant (Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1) as well as its sister units (Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 2 and 3). The core performance computer/control element assembly computer modification did not change any of the algorithms or design processes and had no impact on the results of any of the simulators annual performance or
Arizona Public Service Company quadrennial tests; moreover, the replacement steam generator modeling had minimal impact on control systems, required only minor changes to normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures, and passed the full set of annual transient tests in 2004. Where unit differences exist, the systems approach to training (SAT) should be used to determine the scope, depth, and timing of compensatory training to ensure that operators are knowledgeable about plant modifications and will continue to safely operate the units. In future cases where (1) the simulator configuration leads or lags the reference plant and where such differences are accommodated by ANSI/ANS 3.5 and (2) the expectations noted in paragraph 2 above are met, the facility licensee need not seek NRC approval to use these simulators for operating tests.
If you have any questions regarding the NRC's decision in this matter, please contact Tom Stetka at 817-860-8247, or myself at 817-860-8159.
/RA/
Anthony T. Gody, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Dockets: 50-528; 50-529; 50-530 Licenses: NPF-41; NPF-51; NPF-74 cc:
Steve Olea Arizona Corporation Commission 1200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Douglas K. Porter, Senior Counsel Southern California Edison Company Law Department, Generation Resources P.O. Box 800 Rosemead, CA 91770 Chairman Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003 Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40 Street Phoenix, AZ 85040
Arizona Public Service Company Craig K. Seaman, Director Regulatory Affairs Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Station 7636 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034 Hector R. Puente Vice President, Power Generation El Paso Electric Company 310 E. Palm Lane, Suite 310 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Jeffrey T. Weikert Assistant General Counsel El Paso Electric Company Mail Location 167 123 W. Mills El Paso, TX 79901 John W. Schumann Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Southern California Public Power Authority P.O. Box 51111, Room 1255-C Los Angeles, CA 90051-0100 John Taylor Public Service Company of New Mexico 2401 Aztec NE, MS Z110 Albuquerque, NM 87107-4224 Thomas D. Champ Southern California Edison Company 5000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Bldg. D1B San Clemente, CA 92672 Robert Henry Salt River Project 6504 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P.O. Box 13326 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-3326
Arizona Public Service Company Karen O'Regan Environmental Program Manager City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs 200 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003
Arizona Public Service Company Electronic distribution by RIV:
Regional Administrator (BSM1)
DRP Director (ATH)
DRS Director (DDC)
DRS Deputy Director (vacant)
Senior Resident Inspector (GXW2)
Branch Chief, DRP/D (TWP)
Senior Project Engineer, DRP/D (GEW)
Team Leader, DRP/TSS (RLN1)
RITS Coordinator (KEG)
SISP Review Completed: ______
ADAMS: G Yes G No Initials: ______
G Publicly Available G Non-Publicly Available G Sensitive G Non-Sensitive SOE:OB HOLB C:OB TFStetka/lmb DTrimble ATGody
/RA/
/RA/ E
/RA/
7/20/05 7/18/05 7/20/05 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax