Long Term Operation of Nuclear Power Plants: Status in the U.S.

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garry G. Young
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
The Status ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
License Renewal ◽  
The U.S

As of January 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has renewed the operating licenses of 73 nuclear units out of a total of 104 licensed units, allowing for up to 60 years of safe operation. In addition, the NRC has license renewal applications under review for 15 units and more than 13 additional units have announced plans to submit applications over the next few years [1]. This brings the total of renewed licenses and plans for renewal to over 97% of the 104 operating nuclear units in the U.S. This paper presents the status of the U.S. license renewal process and issues being raised for possible applications for subsequent renewals for up to 80 years of operation. By the end of 2013 there will be 26 nuclear plants in the U.S. (or 25% of the 104 units) that will be eligible to seek a second license renewal and by the end of 2016 this number will increase to about 50% of the 104 licensed units. Although some nuclear plant owners have announced plans to shutdown before reaching 60 years, the majority are keeping the option open for long term operation beyond 60 years. The factors that impact decisions for both the first license renewals and subsequent renewals for 80 years of safe operation are presented and discussed in this paper.

License Renewal and Subsequent License Renewal in the U.S.

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garry G. Young
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
The Status ◽  
License Renewal ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Operating Plant

As of February 2014, the NRC has renewed the operating licenses for 73 nuclear units, allowing for up to 60 years of safe operation. In addition, the NRC has license renewal applications under review for 18 units and 9 additional units have announced plans to submit applications over the next few years [1]. This brings the total of renewed licenses and plans for renewal to 100% of the operating nuclear units in the U.S. By the end of 2014, there will be 38 nuclear plants that will have operated for more than 40 years and will be eligible to seek a subsequent license renewal (or almost 40% of the nuclear units expected to be operating at the end of 2014). In 2013, nuclear plant owners of 5 units shutdown operation or announced plans to shutdown by the end of 2014. However, most of the remaining operating plant owners are keeping the option open for long term operation beyond 60 years. NRC and the U.S. nuclear industry have made significant progress in preparing the way for subsequent license renewal applications. This paper presents the status of the U.S. license renewal process and issues being addressed for possible applications for subsequent renewals for up to 80 years of operation.

scholarly journals Quality assurance program for Angra 1 licence renewal and long-term operation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2B) ◽  
Author(s):  
YOUSSEF MORGHI ◽  
Amir Zacarias Mesquita ◽  
Ana Rosa BALIZA MAIA
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
Plant Safety ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
License Renewal

In Brazil, according to Cnen standard, a nuclear power plant has authorization to operate for 40 years. Angra 1 commercial operation started in 1985 and it has license to operate until 2024. Eletronuclear aims to extend the operation of the Angra 1 plant from 40 to 60 years. To obtain the license renewal by more than 20 years (long-term operation), Eletronuclear will need to meet the requirements of 10 CFR Part 54, Cnen NT-CGRC-007/18 and NT-CGRC-008/18 (Cnen technical notes). To obtain a license renewal to a long-term operation it is necessary to demonstrate that the plants will operate according to safety requirements, through analysis, testing, aging management, system upgrades, as well as additional inspections. Plant operators and regulators must always ensure that plant safety is maintained and, when it is possible, strengthened during the long-term operation of the plant. One of the documents to obtain a license renewal to a long-term operation is the Quality Assurance Program (QAP). Angra 1 has a QAP according to 10CFR 50 App B and Cnen NN 1.16 for safety related items. However, according to 10 CFR50.34, Nureg-1800 Appendix A.2, Nureg-1801 Appendix A-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and NT-CGRC-007/18 and NT-CGRC-008/18 of Cnen, the QAP needs to include the items that are not safety related but are included in the Aging Management. This article will discuss the Angra 1 QAP for the license renewal to a long-term operation according the standards approved by Cnen.

U.S. License Renewal and Long Term Operation in the 2010’s

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garry G. Young
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Improvement ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Nuclear Plant ◽  
Plant Operation ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
License Renewal ◽  
The U.S

As of February 2010, the NRC has renewed the operating licenses for 59 nuclear units, which will allow for up to 60 years of safe nuclear plant operation. In addition, the NRC has license renewal applications under review for 19 units and nuclear plant owners of more than 18 units have announced plans to submit license renewal applications over the next few years. This brings the total of renewed licenses and announced plans for license renewal to over 90% of the 104 currently operating nuclear units in the U.S. This paper presents some of the factors that have made the U.S. license renewal process so successful and how these same factors will be important for the second round of license renewal, which is expected to begin in the mid-2010’s. These long term operation factors include (1) the successful regulatory process and on-going continuous improvement of that process, (2) long-term safe plant operation, (3) stable low-cost generation of electricity, (4) high levels of sustained plant reliability, and (5) strong public opinion favorable to nuclear power plants.

License Renewal Experience in the U.S.: Continue to Seek Long Term Operation or Shutdown?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garry G. Young
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Safe Operation ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Regulatory Guidance ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Status ◽  
License Renewal ◽  
The U.S

As of January 2016, there were 99 operating nuclear units in the U.S. and the NRC had renewed the operating licenses for 81 of those nuclear units allowing for up to 60 years of safe operation (83 renewed licenses had been issued, but 2 of those units are now shutdown). In addition, the NRC has license renewal applications under review for 11 more units and 5 units have announced plans to submit applications in the next few years. This brings the total of renewed licenses and plans for renewal to almost 100% of the 99 operating units in the U.S. At the end of 2015, there were about 40 nuclear units that had operated for more than 40 years and most of those units are eligible to seek a second license renewal for up to 80 years of operation. [1] Unfortunately, in the past few years, 5 nuclear units have been prematurely shutdown and 3 additional units with licenses to operate for 60 years are scheduled to be prematurely shutdown between 2016 and 2019 for economic reasons. However, the majority of the nuclear plant owners are keeping the option open for long term operation beyond 60 years. NRC and the U.S. nuclear industry have made significant progress in preparing the way for a second round of license renewal applications. For example, the NRC published draft regulatory guidance on the second (or subsequent) license renewal process in December 2015. This paper presents the status of the efforts underway for possible applications for second license renewals for up to 80 years of operation and the issues that may result in additional premature plant shutdowns in the U.S.

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Perspective on Buried and Underground Piping Issues at Nuclear Power Plants in the United States

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Alley
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Buried Pipe ◽  
Development Organizations ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
License Renewal

This paper provides a historical perspective on the need for, and development of, buried and underground piping tanks programs at nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plant license renewal activities, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Buried Piping Action Plan, and the rationale for addressing the issue of buried pipe through an industry initiative as opposed to regulation are discussed. The paper also addresses current NRC activities including the results of Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspections of buried piping programs at nuclear power plants as well as Nuclear Regulatory Commission involvement in industry and standards development organizations. Finally, the paper outlines the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s future plans concerning the issue of buried piping at US nuclear power plants.

scholarly journals ASME in-service inspection and in-service testing programs for Angra 1

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3A) ◽  
Author(s):  
ANA ROSA BALIZA MAIA ◽  
Youssef Morghi ◽  
AMIR ZACARIAS MESQUITA
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Plant Safety ◽  
Service Testing ◽  
Design And Manufacturing ◽  
License Renewal ◽  
Service Inspection

The in-service inspection program of the Angra 1 plant is updated every 10 years, according to applicable standards - designer (American Project - are followed NRC requirements) and Cnen. NRC approves the use of ASME Section XI (In-service Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components). The object of in-service inspection of components in nuclear power plants is to provide a continuing assurance that they are safe. To provide this assurance for those components that are subject to the requirements of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, a set of rules has been formulated to provide assurance that the functional requirements of the components are available when required. The rules have been arranged to provide appropriate levels of assurance according to the importance of the component in its relationship to plant safety. The classifications that are established during design and manufacturing have been adopted to provide the levels of importance for the components. The types of components typically found in the various classifications have then been identified and rules formulated for each type. For each type of component in each classification, the functions have been considered and methods of inspecting, testing, or monitoring each component is specified. These rules include methods of determining the limits of acceptance of the results. Should it be necessary to take corrective action to repair various components, rules have been provided to establish acceptable methods of repair or replacement. Angra 1 started the Renewal License and Long-term Operation project and there are three important Aging Management Programs (AMP) that are based on ASME section XI. This article will discuss the ASME section XI subsections that are important for the License Renewal and Long-term Operation for Angra 1.  

scholarly journals Inservice Examination and Testing Issues for Dynamic Restraints (Snubbers) in Nuclear Power Plants

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurjendra S. Bedi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
The U.S

This paper discusses recent issues related to inservice examination and testing of dynamic restraints (snubbers) at U.S. nuclear power plants. These issues were identified during the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff review of snubber examination and testing programs, relief requests, and applicable operating experience. This discussion includes information that could have generic applicability in the implementation of effective snubber programs at U.S. nuclear power plants. Paper published with permission.

Inservice Examination and Testing Issues for Dynamic Restraints (Snubbers) in Nuclear Power Plants

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurjendra S. Bedi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
The U.S

This paper discusses recent issues related to the inservice examination and testing of dynamic restraints (snubbers) at U.S. nuclear power plants. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff identified these issues during its review of examination and testing snubber programs and relief requests, as well as operating experience. This discussion includes information that could apply generically to the implementation of effective snubber programs at U.S. nuclear power plants. Paper published with permission.

Foundation Engineering for Nuclear Plants: U.S. vs. European Code and Practice

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasser Massoudi
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Foundation Engineering ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Nuclear Plants ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
European Code ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
The U.S

This paper reviews the current regulatory and industry practices in geotechnical investigations for nuclear power plants in the U.S. and Europe, with the intent to highlight the common features and underscore the differences. Specifically, applicable sections of regulatory and industry-established codes and practices are reviewed as relate to geotechnical practices and foundation engineering. Similarly, regulatory requirements such as those established by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the European equivalents will be reviewed. The paper serves as a vehicle to highlight industry and regulatory common grounds, as well as variations in the two practices, in the spirit of disseminating knowledge on codes and standards and facilitating international cooperation between the foundation engineering community in the U.S. and Europe.

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