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.
