Evaluation of the applicability of existing nuclear power plant regulatory requirements in the U.S. to advanced small modular reactors.

Abstract

The current wave of small modular reactor (SMR) designs all have the goal of reducing the cost of management and operations. By optimizing the system, the goal is to make these power plants safer, cheaper to operate and maintain, and more secure. In particular, the reduction in plant staffing can result in significant cost savings. The introduction of advanced reactor designs and increased use of advanced automation technologies in existing nuclear power plants will likely change the roles, responsibilities, composition, and size of the crews required to control plant operations. Similarly, certain security staffing requirements for traditional operational nuclear power plants may not be appropriate or necessary for SMRs due to the simpler, safer and more automated design characteristics of SMRs. As a first step in a process to identify where regulatory requirements may be met with reduced staffing and therefore lower cost, this report identifies the regulatory requirements and associated guidance utilized in the licensing of existing reactors. The potential applicability of these regulations to advanced SMR designs is identified taking into account the unique features of these types of reactors.

Regulatory cross-cutting topics for fuel cycle facilities.

“…In order to license a reactor design, the licensee is required to demonstrate that they meet the regulatory dose requirements [22]. In Light Water Reactor space, the industry has developed its own severe accident analysis code (Modular Accident Analysis Progression, MAAP) while the NRC has informed their severe accident planning through codes such as MELCOR [Error!…”

Design Construction and Operation of a Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (sCO₂) Loop for Investigation of Dry Cooling and Natural Circulation Potential for Use in Advanced Small Modular Reactors Utilizing sCO₂ Power Conversion Cycles.

“…It is difficult for most utilities to accept incurring this level of financial risk since the failure of such a venture could potentially spell the end of that utility. Therefore, the prospect of a lower capital cost is appealing to a utility interested in nuclear power, even if the cost per unit of energy produced projects to be higher than that of a large, traditional nuclear power plant [3]. This economic driving force has led to a large amount of interest in SMRs in recent years.…”