ML24068A254
| ML24068A254 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/14/2024 |
| From: | William Kennedy Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC/NRR/DANU |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML24068A254 (8) | |
Text
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE Optimizing the Regulatory Landscape for Licensing and Deployment of Factory-Fabricated Micro-Reactors William Kennedy, Senior Project Manager Advanced Reactor Policy Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced.html
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE The NRC staff is proactively enhancing clarity, reliability, and efficiency for licensing and regulation of factory-fabricated micro-reactors Reliable Prompt, fair, and decisive regulation that lends stability to licensing and deployment Efficient Risk-informed and performance-based regulation that delivers timely results and uses resources effectively Clear Coherent, logical, and practical regulatory approaches that will allow for safe and secure deployment
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE The NRC staff is taking actions to prioritize and address licensing and deployment considerations related to factory-fabricated micro-reactors
- SECY-24-0008, Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations: Fuel Loading and Operational Testing at a Factory (ML23207A252), seeks Commission policy direction on regulatory approaches related to three topics:
(1) Features to preclude criticality (2) Fuel loading at a factory (3) Operational testing at a factory
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE SECY-24-0008 recommends the following:
- An approach in which a factory-fabricated module that included features to preclude criticality would not be in operation when loaded with fuel and operation would begin with the removal of those features
- An approach for authorizing only fuel loading into a utilization facility that includes features to preclude criticality under a manufacturing license for the utilization facility and a special nuclear material license for the fuel
- An approach that would apply most of the safety (and possibly the environmental) regulations for nonpower reactors to authorize fuel loading and operational testing at a factory
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
- SECY-23-0021, Proposed Rule: Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors (RIN 3150-AK31)
(ML21162A093), also proposes questions to ask stakeholders about the desirability of addressing authorization of fuel loading at a factory under a manufacturing license
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE Factory-fabricated micro-reactor licensing and deployment models involve numerous regulatory considerations and policy topics
- Loading fuel at a factory
- Operational testing at a factory
- Timeframe for authorization to operate at the deployment site
- Licensing replacement reactors
- Autonomous operation and remote operation
- Transportation of fueled reactors
- Storage of fuel after irradiation in a power reactor
- Decommissioning process and decommissioning funding assurance
- Siting in densely populated areas
- Commercial maritime applications
- Commercial space applications
- Commercial mobile micro-reactors
- Staffing, training, and qualification requirements
- Standardization of operational programs
- Physical security
- Cybersecurity
- Environmental review
RIC 2024 Hybrid U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 36th Annual Regulatory Information Conference MARCH 12-14, 2024
- nrcric2024 www.nrc.gov ADAPTING TO A CHANGING LANDSCAPE Success Strategies Optimizing Licensing Reviews Robust Preapplication Activities Proactive Stakeholder Engagement