ML24309A035
| ML24309A035 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902118 |
| Issue date: | 11/12/2024 |
| From: | Patrick Boyle NRC/NRR/DANU/UAL2 |
| To: | X-Energy |
| Patrick Boyle, NRR/DANU | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24312A348 | List: |
| References | |
| EPID L-2024-TOP-0027 | |
| Download: ML24309A035 (1) | |
Text
X ENERGY, LLC. - AUDIT PLAN FOR THE REGULATORY AUDIT OF THE XENITHTM MICROREACTOR ANALYTICAL METHODS TOPICAL REPORT (EPID: L-2024-TOP-0027)
APPLICANT INFORMATION Applicant:
X Energy, LLC Applicant Address:
801 Thompson Avenue Rockville, MD 20852 Design Name:
XENITHTM Microreactor Project No(s):
99902118
Background:
By letter dated July 12, 2024, X Energy, LLC., (X-energy) submitted Topical Report (TR) MRA-00-412-RPT-2000526, X-energy XENITH Microreactor Analytical Methods Topical Report, (TRAM), (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System package Accession No. ML24194A129.)
TRAM introduces the current design concept; discusses the licensing plan and regulatory guidance associated with analytical methods; provides an overview of the software and modeling tools and methods for design and analysis; and describes the early-stage verification and validation (V&V) of software suites and computational models. The purpose of TRAM is to obtain the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRC) approval of the analytical methods described. The results of the TRAM will be used to inform reactor license applications utilizing Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 50 Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities, and Part 52 Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants.
The NRC staff initiated its review of the TRAM and determined that a regulatory audit, as set forth in this plan, would assist in its timely completion.
Purpose:
The purpose of the audit is to enable the NRC staff to enhance their understanding of the TRAM. In addition, this audit will support the identification of any information that would be required to be submitted on the docket to support the NRC staffs safety evaluation of the TRAM. Therefore, the NRC staff is requesting access to X-energys documents associated with the topics discussed in the TRAM.
Regulatory Audit Basis:
A regulatory audit is a planned, license or regulation-related activity that includes the examination and evaluation of primarily non docketed information. The audit is conducted with the intent to gain understanding, to verify information, and to identify information that will require docketing to support the basis of a licensing or regulatory decision. Performing a regulatory audit is expected to assist the NRC staff in efficiently conducting its review and gaining insights to the applicants processes and procedures. Information that the NRC staff relies upon to make the safety determination must be submitted on the docket.
Regulatory Audit Scope and Methodology:
The regulatory audit is performed in accordance with the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Office Instruction LIC-111 (ML19226A274), Regulatory Audits. The NRC staff will examine supporting information provided by X-energy through the electronic reading room (eRR) and meet with subject matter experts regarding the applicability and use of the methods identified in TRAM.
Information and Other Material Necessary for the Regulatory Audit:
The NRC staff will identify and share with X-energy, the needed information, questions, and additional material needed during the audit in a timely manner. Additional documents may be requested as needed. Any information necessary to support the NRC staffs findings and conclusions related to the review of the TRAM will be requested to be submitted on the docket.
Team Assignments:
The audit team will consist of the following NRC staff from NRR.
Name Division Branch Anthony Konecni DANU UTB1 Cathleen Ridder DANU UTB2 Clair Song DANU UTB1 Hakan Ozaltun DANU UTB2 Inseok Baek DANU UTB1 Patrick Boyle DANU UAL2 Tim Drzewiecki DANU UTB2 DANU: Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities UAL2: Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 2 UTB1: Advanced Reactor Technical Branch 1 UTB2: Advanced Reactor Technical Branch 2 The NRC may identify additional NRC staff to participate in the review. These additional NRC staff members will be communicated to the applicant by the NRC project manager. The NRC staff will confirm with the applicant, the sensitivity of any information discussed or presented on the online portal.
Logistics:
Date: November 18, 2024 - March 28, 2025 (may be extended if mutually agreed upon).
Audit meetings will be scheduled as needed after the entrance meeting.
Audit meetings will take place in a virtual format, using Microsoft Teams or another similar platform. The NRC staff requests the applicant to have the information readily available and accessible for the NRC staffs review via an internet-based portal (see agreement, ML24058A353).
When the NRC staff determines that any information on the portal is relevant to the safety determination, the NRC staff will request the applicant to place that information on the docket via the request for additional information (RAI) process. Alternatively, X-energy may voluntarily submit information on the docket, such as a revised version of the TRAM. Additionally, the NRC staff may use the RAI or confirmation of information processes in lieu of using an exit meeting for that purpose. The NRCs licensing project manager will inform the applicant via routine communications when the NRC staff no longer needs access to the portal.
Special Requests:
The NRC staff requests that X-energy make subject matter experts available to answer questions throughout the audit process. The NRC staff also requests that X-energy provides access to supporting documents via the X-energy eRR.
Deliverables:
The NRC staff will develop any RAIs or confirmations of information, as needed, which will be provided to the licensee via separate docketed correspondence. At the completion of the audit, the audit team will issue an audit summary within 90 days after the exit meeting. The audit summary will be made publicly available in ADAMS.
References:
LIC-111, Revision 1, Regulatory Audits, October 31, 2019, (ML19226A274).
MRA-00-412-RPT-2000526, X-energy XENITH Microreactor Analytical Methods Topical Report, (ML24250A114).
X-energy XENITH Online Reference Portal Information Access Agreement, April 17, 2024, (ML24058A353).
If you have questions regarding this audit, please contact me at (301) 415-3936 or via email at Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.
Date:
Sincerely, Patrick Boyle, Project Manager Advanced Reactors Licensing Branch 2 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.: 99902118 cc: X-energy XENITH via GovDelivery November 12, 2024 Signed by Boyle, Patrick on 11/12/24
Pkg: ML24312A348 Email: ML24312A349 Audit Plan: ML24309A035 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UAL2:PM NRR/DANU/UAL2:LA NRR/DANU/UTB1:BC NAME PBoyle CSmith GOberson DATE 11/04/2024 11/06/2024 11/07/2024 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UAL2:BC NRR/DANU/UAL2:PM NAME JSegala PBoyle DATE 11/11/2024 11/12/2024