ML25083A142
| ML25083A142 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/11/2025 |
| From: | Harvey J NRC/NRR/DANU |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25083A142 (9) | |
Text
Nth-of-a-Kind Microreactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations Jackie Harvey, 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 1
- For licensing purposes, microreactors are commercial power reactors licensed under Section 103 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA).
- Microreactors are anticipated to have power levels on the order of several tens of megawatts thermal, small site footprints, low potential consequences in terms of radiological releases, and may have increased reliance on passive systems and inherent characteristics to control power and heat removal.
- For the purposes of this presentation, the term nth-of-a-kind (NOAK) microreactor generally means a microreactor of a standard design that has been previously approved by the NRC through a design certification (DC), manufacturing license (ML),
or final safety analysis report for a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) combined license (COL) or construction permit and operating license (CP/OL).
Background
2
Conceptual Deployment Model for Factory-Fabricated Transportable Microreactors 3
The NRC staffs policy recommendations and other strategies for licensing and regulation of microreactors focus on increasing the flexibility of NRCs regulatory framework to support developers diverse deployment models.
SECY-24-0008, Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations: Fuel Loading and Operational Testing at a Factory, January 2024 White paper on Nth-of-a-Kind Micro-Reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations, September 2024 Part 53 Proposed Rule, October 2024 ADVANCE Act, Section 208, Regulatory Requirements for Microreactors Microreactor policy topics identified by external entities Microreactor policy topics being pursued by the NRC staff Integrated Microreactor Activities Plan, February 2025 4
The NRC staffs anticipated licensing strategy would leverage a robust up-front review of a standard design to support efficient, predictable licensing of NOAK microreactors Up-Front Review of the Common Plant
- Standard design reviewed and approved in a manufacturing license, design certification, construction permit and operating license, or combined operating license
- Technical issues resolved
- Standardized operational programs (as appropriate)
- Generic environmental review (to the extent practicable)
- Hearings covering the standard design and environmental review, as applicable Nth-of-a-Kind Licensing
- Streamlined administrative processes
- Confirmation of site suitability for the standard design
- Site-specific environmental review (applying the generic environmental review, as appropriate)
- Closure of ITAAC/license conditions
- Confirmatory site-specific inspection
- Site-specific hearing
- Operating decision 5
Options for review and approval of operational programs Part 52 DC or ML Status Quo (Option O1)
Operational program topical reports or operational programs approved in a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) license Alternative Approach (Option O2)
Part 52 DC or ML, including approved standardized operational programs Part 50 or 52 application referencing the DC or ML and topical reports or FOAK approval NRC review of site suitability and (for each program) conditions of topical reports or justifications of applicability of FOAK approval Part 50 or 52 application referencing the DC or ML NRC review of site suitability 6
White Paper on Nth-of-a-Kind Micro-reactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations Additional topics:
- Environmental Reviews
- Maximal Design Standardization
- Grading the Level of Site Characterization
- Deployment Site Emergency Preparedness
- Deployment Site Security
- Streamlined License Application Processing
- Construction Inspection 7
- Provide to the Commission SECY on Nth-of-a-Kind Microreactor Licensing and Deployment Considerations
- ADVANCE Act Section 208:
- Develop risk-informed, performance-based strategies and guidance for licensing and regulation of microreactors, and engage interested or affected parties in the process
- Continued public engagement on priorities for microreactor activities Next Steps 8
Maximal Design Standardization Robust Preapplication Activities Proactive Stakeholder Engagement 9