ML24330A057
| ML24330A057 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/25/2024 |
| From: | Steven Lynch NRC/NRR/DANU/UARP |
| To: | |
| Steven Lynch, NRR/DANU | |
| References | |
| Download: ML24330A057 (15) | |
Text
Transforming Nuclear Safety:
Innovations in Advanced Reactor Regulation Steven Lynch, Chief, Advanced Reactor Policy Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
2
Advanced Reactors By the Numbers Evolving Landscape 20+
4 Potential applications by 2027 Applications currently under review Research and Test Reactors Molten Salt Reactors Small Modular and Microreactors High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Reactors 3
Infrastructure Improvements Many different reactor technologies Range of sizes from < 10 MWt to 600 MWt Multiple reactors on a single site Hazards vary with power level and radionuclide inventory 15+
100+
Entities actively engaged in pre-application activities Topical Reports and white paper reviews completed 60+
8 Guidance documents issued NRC/CNSC joint reports issued
Licensing Reviews in Progress NRC is Engaged with Vendors at Various Steps of the Licensing Process Ongoing Pre-Application Activities (TRISO-X)
Recently Completed Licensing Reviews 4
Leveraging flexible review strategies with safety focus
- Core Review Team Approach
- Leveraging lessons learned 55
Objective #1:
Shorten Review Time Objective #3 Explain Roadmap Objective #4 Communicate & Align Pre-application Engagement Objective #2 Identify Technical Issues
Framework Development Part 53s Risk-Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors Alternative Physical Security Emergency Preparedness Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Advanced Reactors Siting Part 50/52 rulemaking Fee Structure Fusion Oversight Micro-reactor Licensing and Deployment 7
PART 53 l MODERN Part 53 is intended to evolve existing requirements into a modern, risk-informed, performance-based approach Frequency & Consequence-Oriented Requirements Technology Inclusive Explicit Consideration of Defense in Depth Expanded Use of Graded Equipment Performance Requirements Part 53 Prescriptive Requirements Optimized for Specific Technology Augmented for Operating Experience Conservative Assumptions & Analyses QHOs Support Deterministic Requirements Parts 50/52 vs Quantitative Health Objectives (QHOs) - Risk of:
Immediate health effects within 1 mile of site < 5E-7/year Latent health effects within 10 miles of site <2E-6/year 8
PART 53 l TRANSFORMATIVE Part 53 builds on a strong foundation of Commission policies and decisions F E AT U R E S o Evolves use of risk o Leverages performance-based requirements o Modernizes licensing basis change process o Includes consequence-oriented scalable requirements o Enables operational flexibility o Optimizes balance between flexibility and predictability Establishes a Transformative Regulatory Framework 9
10 Part 53 rulemaking addresses plant lifecycle with appropriate flexibilities and safety focus 10
Licensing Modernization Project A risk-informed, consequence-oriented approach to establish licensing basis and content of applications (see Regulatory Guide 1.233 https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2009/ML20091L698.pdf) 11
Conceptual Deployment Model for Transportable Micro-Reactors 12
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Small Modular Reactors Regulators Forum IAEA Safety Standards Committees Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
Committee on Nuclear Regulatory Activities Working Groups Working Group on New Technologies Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
Memorandum of Cooperation Advanced Reactor Reviews/Guidance Joint Reports International Cooperation NRC conducted workshops on the NRC regulatory process with multiple international agencies, including:
Poland National Atomic Energy Agency (PAA)
Romanian National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN)
The NRC will look to continue international cooperation efforts in the future, including sharing lessons learned in small modular reactor activities.
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- NRC is participating in NHSI regulatory working groups, continuing its collaborative efforts on SMRs
- Desired outcomes:
- Greater cooperation and more efficient licensing reviews
- Enable regulators to share the information needed to conduct joint regulatory reviews
- Internationally documented regulatory and technical safety assessments International Engagement
- WG1: Framework for information exchange
- WG2: International pre-licensing regulatory reviews
- WG3: Leveraging other regulatory reviews Harmonization of Regulatory Approaches Track 14
Thank you!