ML24086A534
| ML24086A534 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Issue date: | 03/14/2024 |
| From: | Uhle J Nuclear Energy Institute |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML24086A534 (12) | |
Text
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute The Industrys Innovation Imperative Jennifer Uhle Vice President, Technical &
Regulatory Services March 14, 2024
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute 2 The Nations need for nuclear energy The industrys innovation imperative How can the NRC enable innovation?
Does the drive for transparency inhibit innovation?
Finding the right balance Topics
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute 3 Nuclear Generated 18% of U.S. Electricity in 2023 Notes: Includes small-scale solar.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Updated: February 2024 Nuclear 18.2%
Natural Gas 42.4%
Coal 15.9%
Wind 10.0%
Hydro - 5.8%
Solar - 5.6%
Biomass & Petroleum - 1.5%
Geothermal - 0.4%
©2022 Nuclear Energy Institute 4 U.S. Carbon-free Sources of Electricity in the U.S. in 2023 Nuclear 45.6%
Wind 25.0%
Hydro 14.4%
Solar 14.0%
Geothermal 1.0%
Notes: Includes small-scale solar.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Updated: February 2024 Nuclear Energy is the Largest Source By Far
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute 5 Nuclear is the Backbone of our Stable Electric Grid
- 775.3 million MWh of electricity generated
- 93.0% capacity factor
- Over two decades of an average capacity factor >
90%
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration Updated: February 2024
©2022 Nuclear Energy Institute 6 Global recognition of the important role nuclear can play in decarbonization, reliability, and energy security COP28 pledge to triple nuclear globally by 2050 DOE Liftoff Report calls to triple U.S. nuclear generation by 2050 (200 GW of new nuclear)
Subsequent license renewal is a necessary part of the energy future U.S. needs to enhance its role in the global market Tech companies, oil & gas companies, chemical companies all interested in nuclear as source of highly reliable power U.S. utility demand projections growing rapidly - data centers, AI centers, electrification Recognition of Need for Nuclear Energy The industry needs to sustain high standards The industry needs to sustain high standards
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute l 7 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Civil Nuclear Credit Program
$6B to support financially challenged plants ARDP Funding
$2.5B funding for two projects Nuclear Hydrogen Hub
$8B total in the bill Inflation Reduction Act Nuclear Energy Has Strong Federal Support Production Tax Credit (PTC) for Operating Plants Up to $15 per MWh Technology-Inclusive PTC for Clean Electricity
$30 per MWh Technology-Inclusive Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for Clean Electricity 30% + 10% in coal communities + 10% using U.S. components Clean Hydrogen Credit
$3 per kilogram
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute 8 2023 NEI Futures Survey License Renewal
- >90% of fleet expects to operate to at least 80 years
- >4 LR applications expected by 2026
- >20 SLR applications expected by 2030 Investments
- >20 power uprate applications expected by 2030
- >11 Extended Fuel Cycle applications
- Greater than $6B in other capital investments over next 10 years New Nuclear Behind the Meter Action or Interest
- Increased interest in new nuclear at
~60% of utilities
- New nuclear generation needs increased to >100 GWe
- > 1/3 of utilities considering ESP applications Sites MWe Hydrogen 26 50-300 Data Center 22 200-900 Bitcoin 1
Reverse Osmosis 1
200 www.nei.org/2023-futures-survey
©2024 Nuclear Energy Institute 9 Advanced Nuclear Deployment Plans State support and projects that may be in operation by early 2030s Updated 11/16/2023 Planned project Under construction State Actions - Supportive and Exploring Operating State Actions - Substantive Incentives Considered project University / Research / Test Small (<300 MWe)
Micro-reactor (<50 MWe)
Large (1,000 MWe)
Legend
©2022 Nuclear Energy Institute 10 Offer a wide array of advanced plant options to existing and new customers Enhance safety Enhance efficiency Address obsolescence Attract, train, qualify & retain the workforce Compete internationally to support national security Others Innovation is Necessary to Meet Demand
©2022 Nuclear Energy Institute 11 Transparency Standard Review Plan ~ 2000 pages
> 400 Regulatory Guides GALL - SLR -1300 pages 400 NUREGs Branch Technical Positions To Enable Innovation, the NRC Must Be Flexible Flexibility The reviewer makes the call based on sound engineering, DiD & safety margins - holistic reviews may help What is necessary for reasonable assurance of adequate protection Leadership must limit variability between reviewers must be limited Has a our drive for transparency backfired?
Regulations must be flexible but repeatable
©2022 Nuclear Energy Institute 12 Key Takeaways
- 1. Nuclears role in decarbonization is accepted as essential
- 2. New plants & SLR will play key roles in nations energy mix
- 3. Innovation is an imperative to meet the moment
- 4. NRC must embrace decision-making with no/little guidance
- 5. NRC must ensure repeatability as well as flexibility
- 6. Performance-based regulation & holistic reviews can help