The nuclear industry has been aggressively developing different types of reactor fuels that are more robust and have improved performance during normal and accident conditions. The goal is to begin deploying these game-changing fuels in the mid-2020s. These technologies create opportunities to modernize the industry and regulatory oversight, improve safety and provide economic benefits. However, these benefits will not be attained without consciously changing the way fuel technology is licensed.
What Is Accident Tolerant Fuel?
Following the Fukushima accident, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Energy to focus on developing nuclear reactor fuels with enhanced accident tolerance. Accident tolerant fuel (ATF) can:
- endure the loss of active cooling in a reactor core for much longer than the current fuel
- widen the existing safety margin for nuclear plants
- improve nuclear plant performance with fuel that lasts longer
- power the current fleet of nuclear plants and pave the way for licensing fuels for advanced reactors
- reduce operational and maintenance costs to pass savings on to electricity consumers.
The first ATF designs have already been loaded into U.S. reactors on a limited basis and additional designs will be loaded in the near future.
Regulatory Barriers to ATF
ATF must be available within a practical time frame for utilities to take advantage of its benefits, especially for second license renewals. A transformational shift in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing approach is needed as the current process for licensing nuclear fuel technology is outdated and overly complex. The current methods were developed decades ago when computers were limited in their capabilities.
Today, our computing power is much more advanced. The role of modeling and simulation is key to expedite the path from design and testing to commercial deployment. These new capabilities allow fuel licensing to move in a more efficient process.
More on Making Regulations Smarter
Funding Is Essential for ATF
Congressionally mandated funding is needed for the following programs and agencies in order to keep ATF research and development on industry’s desired deployment schedule:
- Industry team cost share program to assist fuel manufacturers in developing ATF for use in a commercial nuclear plant.
- National labs, to test advanced ATF designs.
- The NRC, to complete safety reviews.