CORDEL Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing Greg KASER Senior Project Manager African Utility Week Nuclear Focus Day Cape Town 12 May 2014
World Nuclear Association (WNA) Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) Strategy and Programme of Work Codes & Standards Design Change Management IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards Digital I&C Small Modular Reactors Summary Outline Greg Kaser 2
1. About the World Nuclear Association 180 member companies Utilities Technology Vendors Orignial equipment manufacturers (OEMs) Professional services Providing Public Information and News Nuclear Fuel and Supply Chain Market Reports Enabling Industry Contacts and Cooperation Representation in Key International Forums Greg Kaser 3
CORDEL Mission Statement 2. CORDEL Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing Promote the standardisation of nuclear power plants designs. Development of a worldwide nuclear regulatory system where internationally accepted standardised reactor designs, certified and approved by a recognised competent authority in the country of origin, can be widely deployed without major design changes due to national regulators. Boost investment attractiveness and predictability of nuclear new builds worldwide. Sharing of operating experience leading to more cost effective licensing and safety analysis and more effective power plant safety monitoring Greg Kaser 4
Code Convergence and Standardisation Work is underway by regulators and the industry A standardised fleet of nuclear power plants can only occur from a standardised set of requirements Major differences still exist between national mechanical design codes for class 1 components Greg Kaser 5 5
Benefits of Standardisation Standardisation that results in transparent and predictable licensing processes and oversight would provide a stable investment framework which would lead to a more rapid, efficient and orderly expansion of nuclear power world-wide. Standardised designs will enable both vendors and operators to implement best practices and experience feedback throughout the full plant lifecycle of a nuclear fleet. Standardised designs adds additional safety layers for design, construction, operation and decommissioning Greg Kaser 6
Major Players in Standardisation/Harmonisation Industry Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Owners Groups Governmental Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP-NEA) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Western European Nuclear Regulators Association (WENRA) Other International Standardisation Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs) Utility Requirements (EPRI and EUR) Greg Kaser 7
Road Map for Internationally Accepted Standardised Reactor Designs Step 1. Sharing design reviews and assessments Step 2. Validating and accepting design approvals of other countries Step 3. Issuing international design certification Greg Kaser 8
3. CORDEL Strategic Plan (2014 2018) The focus of work for CORDEL has changed from discussing broad international industrial perspectives in design and licensing issues to analysing and developing recommendations on specific issues in order to achieve enhanced global acceptance. Companies and organizations eligible for membership include: All nuclear technology vendors, including architect engineering companies and key supply chain vendors. All utilities with actual or projected new build projects. Technical support and consulting services or any other company/organisation in a relevant field. Representatives from the major codes and standards organizations and international organizations involved or directly interested in nuclear power plant licensing may participate as observers. Greg Kaser 9
MDEP-Codes & Standards Working Group code comparison report has shown that there are major differences in numerous areas: Material requirements, examination and repair, quality systems, dimensional standards, design analysis methodologies, fabrication and installation rules, examination requirements (examination of welds, acceptance standards, certification of personnel), pressure testing, etc Most differences exist between the French (AFCEN), US (ASME) and Russian requirements. Not all issues/differences can be resolved in the short term, hence the WNA pilot project concentrates on two specific topics: Requirements for NDT/E Personnel qualification; Design limits : Stress classification / Stress limits / Excessive deformation / Plastic shakedown / Non-linear analysis codified rules WNA Codes & Licensing Group (CORDEL) Greg Kaser 10
Models from Aviation Greg Kaser 11 11
Design Change Management in Aviation Aviation regulators retain national sovereignty Aircraft vendors and OEMs must obtain a Type Certificate from their national regulator for an aircraft design The national regulator involves experts from other regulators in the design assessment Type Certificates issued by different countries are very similar The operating airline must obtain an airworthiness certificate for each plane flying from its national regulator Designers collect and analyze all data on failures, malfunctions and defects This data and analysis is available to all plane operators Regulators can issue airworthiness directives based on this data Greg Kaser 12
WNA Agenda for Design Change Management Design changes occur throughout plant life across the fleet From operating experience, obsolescence, etc. From changes in regulatory understanding and differing country approaches to regulation From new knowledge (earthquakes to metallurgy ) From safety reviews conducted on the plant or on similar designs Stronger international cooperation of all stakeholders Owners Groups could issue advisory Service Bulletins WANO and Owners Groups could consider the development of a worldwide reliability database and fleet specific issues (PWRs, BWRs, PHWRs, ) Regulators Design Specific Working Groups part of MDEP/NEA could review design issues emerging over plant lifetime to avoid design divergence Does not change licensee s accountability for plant safety Greg Kaser 13
Nuclear Safety Standards The nuclear safety and quality management system specifies requirements, standards and guidance on activities or processes. The system is evolving as a result of IAEA, ISO and ASME reviews. G S R Pts 1 & 2 N Q A 1 10 CFR 50 Regulation & Licensing Quality Management Product Realization Measurement, Analysis & Improvement I S O 9 0 0 1 N S Q? 1? 0? 0 Knowledge Management & Supplier Education WNA CORDEL provides industry input into the IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards Committee (NUSSC). Greg Kaser 14
Nuclear Quality Management Standard Quality assurance (QA): focus on an organization s quality management system (QMS), e.g. IAEA GSR Part 2 (revision of GS-R-3: 2006) requirements on leadership & management for safety safety culture ASME NQA-1: 2008 (links to US Federal Code 10 CFR 50 Appendix B) ISO 9001: 2008 + NSQ-100: 2011 (promoted by NQSA) Quality control (QC): focus on the product or process of production. Industry consensus on critical manufacturing processes (aka special processes ) Oversight (surveillance) of critical manufacturing processes Advanced product quality planning Reducing non-conformances Learning from each other Greg Kaser 15
Digital Information & Communication Systems Four topics were identified as priority through an industry survey by WNA: Safety classification for I&C Highest Priority Diversity & Common Cause Failures (CCF) Clarify the criteria for acceptance of FPGA technology Quantifying reliability predictions (functional vs. system reliability) The following outputs are agreed: The Digital I&C Task Force will elaborate position papers for each topic, specifying a common industry position. Position papers will be issued for further discussions with other organisations such as MDEP, IEC, IAEA, etc. Provide nuclear industry recommendations for the update of IEC 61226. Participation invited from vendors, operators and the main SDOs (IEC and IEEE). Overall aim is to improve system reliability and build on current standards. Greg Kaser 16
Small Modular Reactors The group is composed of vendors, utilities, consultants, legal and safety experts and academics. An interactive timeline and position papers describing barriers and opportunities for the economic development of SMR technology internationally is planned. A position paper on international licensing of modules is being drafted. Recently identified two new potential topics: factory certification & insurance liability. Aims to become the main industry stakeholder of the newly formed IAEA Regulators Forum investigating the licensing of SMR plants. Close interaction with international organisations Greg Kaser 17
In summary Licensing & Permits IAEA Governments No overlap with WANO s safety related activities WNA (CORDEL) Safety Goals Codes & Standards OECD-NEA Regulators Convergence Board SDOs Greg Kaser 18
In summary WNA WANO operational indicators NQSA Vendor Oversight Capacity Optimization Common core standards Process guidance Focus on quality control & product realization Fewer nonconformances Reduced re-work Less disruption to manufacturing & construction schedules Facilitated market entry for suppliers Improved industry competitiveness Industry-wide continual improvement Enhanced safety & plant reliability Greg Kaser 19
2010 2012 2013 Greg Kaser 20
WNA/CORDEL Links/References WNA (www.world-nuclear.org) where you can find latest development under Publications CORDEL Director: Barry Kaufer (kaufer@world-nuclear.org) CORDEL : Andrew Wasylyk (wasylyk@world-nuclear.org) Supply Chain: Greg Kaser (kaser@world-nuclear.org) Greg Kaser