Enhanced Resilient Plant Systems
Goal
To develop methods for using risk and cost-benefit analyses that combine plant-resiliency technologies to enhance the economic, operational and safety of light-water nuclear power reactors.
The plant-resiliency enhancement technologies considered in this project include accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) with fuel-burnup extension and increased enrichment, flexible mitigation strategies, new battery technologies and passive cooling for pressurized and boiling-water reactor designs.
Outcome
Researchers will produce a set of safety analyses based on combinations of plant-resiliency enhancement technologies to demonstrate approaches to safety margin management. The increase in safety margins will provide a basis for decision-makers to determine what enhancement strategies are most beneficial in terms of safety, operational flexibility and plant economics.
Planned major accomplishments
- Finalize analyses of various non-extended loss of AC power scenarios with plant enhancements credited for mitigation. Develop industry guidance on how to credit plant enhancements for plant risk reduction. Complete and document risk-assessment methodology for ATF with higher enrichment and extended burnup.
- Complete a pilot project to provide information that industry may use to support efforts in ATF licensing that includes necessary safety analyses required for ATF regulatory approval.
Contact Information
Svetlana (Lana) Lawrence
Risk-Informed Systems Analysis (RISA) Pathway Lead
Idaho National Laboratory
Phone: (214) 549-8291