Safety and licensing for small and medium power reactors Page: 3 of 8
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Any consideration of safety must include an awareness of other factors. In a
task by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory entitled, "Nuclear Power Options
Viability Study (NPOVS)," designed to examine the possibilities for nuclear
power in the United States in the time period, 2000-2010, criteria were
developed as broad guidelines for designers."2 The criteria were augmented by
a list of characteristics that provide further guidance for properties judged to
be important for nuclear power viability. Several of the criteria and many of
the characteristics are not readily quantifiable but are intended to provide
useful guidance for the design and development of acceptable nuclear power
plants. The criteria are as follows: (Some elaboration is offered for
Criteria 1, 5, and 7 since they relate specifically to safety and licensing.)
1. Public Risk - The calculated risk to the public due to accidents is less
than or equal to the calculated risk associated with the best modern Light-
Water Reactors (LWRS).
This is a fundamental public safety criterion. To implement it strictly, a
probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) employing acceptable methods and data
bases would be necessary for each new concept and for the "best modern
LWRs." However, other approaches based on judgment can be useful.
Compliance with this criterion is essentially a prerequisite for licensing.
2. Investment Protection - The probability of events leading to loss of
investment is less than or equal to 10~4 per year (based on plant cost).
3. Economics - The economic performance of the nuclear plant is at least
equivalent to that for coal-fired plants.
4. Desina - The design of each plant is complete enough for analysis to show
that the probability of significant cost/schedule overruns is acceptably
low.
5. Certification - Official approval of a plant design must be given by the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assure the investor and the
public of a high probability that the plant will be licensed on a timely
basis if constructed in accordance with the approved design.
This criterion addresses concern for delays and associated risk for fully
designed or replica plants. This criterion's prime concern is with the
licensing process, including potential further changes in requirements and
regulations. Today's cumulative experience with licensing is extensive and
should be sufficient to permit the introduction of one-step licensing at the
completion of design. Verification of quality control during construction,
of course, would be required.
6. Marketability - For a new concept to become attractive in the marketplace,
demonstration of its readiness to be designed, built, and licensed and begin
operations on time and at projected cost is necessary.
7. Competence of Owner/Operator - The design should include only those nuclear
technologies for which the prospective owner/operator has demonstrated
competence or can acquire competent managers and operators.
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Trauger, D.B. Safety and licensing for small and medium power reactors, article, January 1, 1987; Tennessee. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1112450/m1/3/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.