ML25094A040
| ML25094A040 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/04/2025 |
| From: | NRC/OCM |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25064A536 | List: |
| References | |
| M250410 | |
| Download: ML25094A040 (1) | |
Text
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute Micro-Reactors:
Current Status and Moving Forward NRC Commission Briefing April 10, 2025 Marc Nichol, Executive Director New Nuclear
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute Advanced Nuclear Deployment Plans Projects that may be in operation by early 2030s Updated 04/03/2025 Does not include plans for more than 10 additional projects that have not announced site locations.
Planned project Under construction Operating Considered project University / Research / Test Small (<300 MWe)
Micro-reactor (<50 MWe)
Large (1,000 MWe)
Legend
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 3 Relative Comparison of Potential Consequences from Selected Nuclear Technologies
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 4 A Different Starting Point Yields Different Outcomes Work on the Margins of Large LWR Approaches RTR Apply and Adapt Non-Power Approaches Innovation -> Revolutionary Change New technologies Question past/current practices Avoid weve always done it that way Understand bases for current approaches (characteristics of technologies and assumptions)
Question whether bases are still valid, if not form new bases and new approaches Current Efforts RHDRA Proposal LLWR vs RTR vs RHDRA Same Dose Limits Same Normal/Accident Requirements RTR = Low potential consequences EPZ = 10 miles vs small site boundary Different Implementation Guidance Different Security (RTR = No DBT)
RTR = No AIA RTR = Combined CP/OL is OK RTR = USGS/NOAA data is OK RTR = No min ops staff
Rapid Efficient Repeatable Licensing (ReLic)
Current Site Licensing (Part 50 CP + OL)
(Part 52 COL + 103.g Finding)
Approved with Design (e.g., ML, DC, SDA)
Approved for Range of Technologies (e.g., GEIS, Rulemaking)
Licensee Pre-Approvals (e.g., TR)
Site Site Applications of <100 pages Enable Deployments of <6 months Site Applications of 6,000 to 10,000 pages Enable Deployments 8 to 10 years
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 6 Y1H1 Y1H2 Y2H1 Y2H2 Y3H1 Y3H2 Y4H1 Y4H2 Site Selected Site Characterization (24 Months)
Figure 4-1: NRC Current Licensing Timeline (Expectations for NOAK RHDRA)
Accept COL Approval Submit Application Final SER (4 Months)
Draft SER (8 Months)
Final EA (4 Months)
Draft EA (8 Months)
Decision on Contentions (200 Days)
Decision on New Contentions (85 Days)
Mandatory Hearing (2 Months)
Commission Decision (45 Days)
Safety & Enviro.
Complete 49 Months ITAAC Review (90 Days)
Hearings (90 Days) 103(g) Finding Operations AEA 180 Day ITAAC Notice
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 7 Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Site Selected Figure 4-2: NRC Licensing Timeline (Expectations for ReLic Process)
Accept Application CP/OL Approval Submit Application Final SER (15 Days)
Draft SER (45 Days)
Final EA (15 Days)
Draft EA (45 Days)
Comments/Contentions/Petitions (30 Days)
Decision on Contentions (30 Days - End if No Hearing Granted)
Mandatory Hearing - If Necessary (30 Days)
Commission Decision (30 Days)
Safety & Enviro. Complete 5 Months Site Characterization (1 Month)
Responses and Replies (30 Days)
Decision on New Contentions (60 Days)
If EA Necessary CP/OL Approval (6 Months with EA)
Issue FRN for Contested Hearing
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 8 On-Site Staffing Design (inherent safety features, active safety components, and technology) with functional analysis
Determines if/what role is need for human action.
Sites Concept of Operations:
- 1. One (1) on-site operator Automatic operations Away from controls/other duties Remote Monitoring Optional
- 2. No (0) on-site staff, Remote Operator Automatic and Remote Operations
- 3. No Operators - Longer-term Autonomous operations No human action, high-level oversight only (Not needed but included)
Remote Operations Automatic Operations Local Human Actions Design-Required Operator Functions
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 9 RHDRA Regulatory Topics and Priorities NEI Paper July 31, 2024 (ML24213A337)
Near-Term Urgent Resolution Longer-Term Resolution High Priority 1 - Environmental Reviews 2 - Standardized Design Approvals 5 - Site License 10 - Meteorology and Weather Data 11 - Geologic and Geotechnical 14 - Operations Staffing 19 - Physical Security 3 - Construction Authorization Upon Docketing 6 - Contested Hearing 7 - Mandatory Hearing 17 - Remote Operations 21 - Access Authorization/Fitness for Duty Medium to Low Priority 9 - AIA 13 - Fire Brigade 16 - Remote Monitoring 18 - Cyber Security 22 - Radiation Protection 23 - Oversight 25 - Use of Contractors by ML 28 - Features to Preclude Criticality 31 - Used Fuel 4 - ITAAC 8 - Licensing fees 12 - Other External Hazards 15 - Autonomous Operations 20 - Emergency Preparedness 24 - Annual Fees 26 - Loading Fuel at Factory 27 - Testing at the Factory 29 - Transport Modules to Site 30 - Replace Modules at Site Topics addressed in NRCs October 2024 NOAK White Paper
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 10 Coordinate with NRC and other Stakeholders in development of details Develop performance-based approaches Focus on Regulatory Basis for alternative approaches Incorporate additional topics as they become identified Next Steps
©2025 Nuclear Energy Institute 11 AEA - Atomic Energy Act AIA - Aircraft Impact Assessment COL - Combined License CP - Construction Permit DBT - Design Basis Threat DC - Design Certification EA - Environmental Assessment EPZ - Emergency Planning Zone GEIS - Generic Environmental Impact Statement ISFSI - Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation ITAAC - Inspections, Tests, Analyses and Acceptance Criteria Acronyms LWR - Light-Water Reactor ML - Manufacturing License NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration OL - Operating License RHDRA - Rapid High-Volume Deployable Reactors RTR - Research and Test Reactors SDA - Standardized Design Approval SER - Safety Environmental Report SMR - Small Modular Reactor TR - Topical Report USGS - United States Geological Survey
QUESTIONS?
By Third Way, GENSLER