ML25036A177
| ML25036A177 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/11/2025 |
| From: | Christian Araguas NRC/RES/DE |
| To: | Bahramirad S, Konnik R Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
| Chris Cook 301-415-6397 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25036A174 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25036A177 (2) | |
Text
February 11, 2025 Ms. Shay Bahramirad, President Power & Engineering Society Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Pacific Gas & Electric Company Mr. Robert Konnik, Chair Nuclear Power Engineering Committee Power & Energy Society Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Champlain Cable
SUBJECT:
INPUT TO SUPPORT ENHANCING THE CODES AND STANDARDS PROGRAM FOR NEW AND ADVANCED REACTORS
Dear Ms. Bahramirad and Mr. Konnik:
Twenty-five staff at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) currently support the development of consensus standards issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) through the NRCs Codes and Standards Program. This includes active participation in the Computer Society and the Power & Energy Society (PES). Under PES, staff support the Energy Storage & Stationary Battery Committee, the Insulated Conductors Committee, the Power System Relaying & Control Committee, the Power System Communications and Cybersecurity Technical Committee, and the Nuclear Power Engineering Committee (NPEC). Specific to the NPEC, staff support the Administrative Subcommittee (SC-
- 1) and all five technical subcommittees (SC-2 through SC-6).
Nuclear plant design today is working at a scope and pace not seen in decades, and with broad industry and bipartisan political support. Reactor developers are revisiting old technologies and pioneering new ones. The NRC is currently reviewing new and advanced reactor applications, and efforts to develop new and revised consensus standards are occurring in tandem with these first-of-a-kind designs. These future consensus standards can bridge the intersection of new and advanced reactor design, licensing and construction. Timely review and endorsement of new or revised standards may provide for efficiency, in both licensing and construction, supporting serial deployment, so-called Nth-of-a-kind reactors, accounting for the enhanced safety of many reactor designs.
In April 2024, the NRC and the Idaho National Laboratory co-hosted a workshop to solicit ideas for enhancing the effectiveness of NRCs codes and standards program. The workshop was successful at bringing together a wide number of experts, including Dr. Richard Wood who spoke on behalf of IEEE and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). His presentation can be found at Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML24092A333.
S. Bahramirad and R. Konnik 2
During this workshop, the staff collected extensive feedback that was subsequently distilled and synthesized by NRC staff into an Action Plan published in August 2024. The published Action Plan can be found in ADAMS at ML24234A013. Action Plan items 1.1 and 3.1 direct the NRC staff to solicit input on codes and standards that are a priority to the new and advanced reactor community. Action Plan items 1.2 and 3.2 then direct the NRC staff to prioritize engagement with the committees of Standards Development Organizations responsible for these codes and standards.
The purpose of this letter is to request your input on IEEE standards that are considered a high priority need for the new and advanced reactor community. As you develop this input, I request consideration of IEEE standards sponsored by NPEC as well as other IEEE organizations (i.e.,
IEEE standards not specific to nuclear power facilities issued by the IEEE Computer Society and other PES committees beyond NPEC). Your response to this request will facilitate NRCs prioritization of codes and standards activities and help ensure appropriate and continued NRC staff support of such activities in the future.
A response within 60-days would be appreciated as Action Plan items 1.1, 1.2, 3.1, and 3.2 are targeted for completion by the end of 2025.
Sincerely, Signed by Araguas, Christian on 02/11/25 Christian Araguas, Standards Executive Director, Division of Engineering Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
Enclosures:
None
ML25036A174; Ltr ML25036A177 OFFICE RES/DE NAME CAraguas CA DATE Feb 11, 2025