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M230516: Slides/Supporting Presentation Material - T. Chapman - Update on 10 C.F.R. Part 53 Licensing and Regulation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors
	ML23130A066
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Issue date:	05/16/2023
From:	; NRC/OCM
To:	;
Shared Package
ML23067A030	List: ML23130A062; ML23130A063; ML23130A064; ML23130A065; ML23130A066; ML23130A097; ML23130A100; ML23142A113;
References
	M230516, 10 CFR Part 53, NRC-2019-0062, RIN 3150-AK31
	Download: ML23130A066 (4)
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Affordable Observations on Part 53 Development for Commercial Deployment of Advanced Reactors Travis Chapman l Director, Reactor Licensing & Regulatory Affairs May 16, 2023 X Energy Reactor Company, LLC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

We Design & Build Reactors and the Fuel That Powers Them Reactor: Xe-100 Were focused on Gen-IV High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGR) as the technology of choice, with advantages in sustainability, economics, reliability and safety.

Reactor: XENITH To address the need for ground, sea and air transportable small power production. Weve developed reactor concepts with potential civilian government, remote community and critical infrastructure applications.

Fuel: TRISO-X Our reactors use tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel, developed and improved over 60 years. We manufacture our own proprietary version (TRISO-X) to ensure supply and quality control.

Space Applications As a reactor developer and project partner, we have a vested interest in NASA, DOE, and DoD are exploring our technology and fuel seeing the advanced reactor regulatory framework mature to ensure for nuclear thermal propulsion and fission power for the successful domestic deployments and for international acceptance of our lunar surface.

technologies

Draft Part 53: Key Observations Contexts to assess Part 53 through:

As a regulation for the efficient demonstration of a first-of-a-kind technology

Generally aligned with feedback provided through industry groups on challenges with the Part 53 safety standards; no significant change from Parts 50 or 52

Design principals vs. Design requirements

Clarity in performance standards

Development and application of risk-insights As a regulation for the efficient deployment of advanced reactor projects at scale

Concerned that Part 53 will not provide meaningful improvements to key measures that enable project success

Commercial realities of project development: progressive schedule and cost surety, short timelines to complete early-stage permitting/licensing ahead of construction/commissioning/operation

Review duration and cost are functions of review scope and administration: unclear how Part 53 language will reduce these activities compared to Parts 50 or 52

Wide variety of prospective applicants will use these technologies; many non-traditional users: will Part 53 improve their experience in the nuclear enterprise?

Desired End State: Efficient, Effective, and Predictable Licensing Will we use Part 53?

Must assume cost & schedule bases in the context of a project: insufficient data to do so today PRA-influenced

As an early adopter of RG 1.233 (LMP) and related approaches, X-energy is positioned to transition in the future when Part 53 can demonstrate improvement over DSA-influenced Parts 50 or 52 Opportunities before us:

Part 53 provides valuable insights into NRC staff thinking on advanced reactor policy matters today; near-term focus on advanced reactors in the current frameworks

Getting Part 53 right is important, but not urgent to demonstrate these technologies in the 2020s

Align on the right end state: establish the key metrics this rule must address LMP Framework for LBE Evaluation

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