Licensing Small Modular Reactors in Nigeria

Abstract

LICENSING SMALL MODULAR REACTORS IN NIGERIA The objective of this seminar is to provide an introduction to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) technologies and the regulatory programs that support the safe and successful deployment of these new innovative designs while the purpose is to identify, understand and address key regulatory challenges that may emerge in future SMR regulatory discussions. Meanwhile SMR are advanced reactors that produce electric power up to 300MW, built in factories and shipped as modules to utilities and sites for installation as demand arises. Types of SMR technologies include water cooled SMRs, high temperature gas cooled SMRs and Generation IV SMRs. The SMR design characteristics are simplified, compact and less weight, it enhance safety performance, it enhanced maintainability, better radiation control and it extended design life. The licensing issue (global issues) examined potential issues for deployment and implementation of SMR designs, use planning documents from nuclear energy institute and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission identifies issues in US and many of the same issues would exist for implementation in other parts of the world. The licensing process issues for Modular Nuclear Reactors includes license for prototype reactors, license structure for multi-module facilities and manufacturing license requirements for future reactors. The issues concerning design requirements for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors are implementation of the Defense-In-Depth Philosophy for advanced Reactors, Use of probabilistic Risk Assessment in the licensing process for SMRs, Appropriate Source term, dose calculations and sitting for SMRs, key component and system designs issues for SMRs. It further talks about the operational issues for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors which are Appropriate Requirements for Operator Staffing for Small or Multi-Module Facilities, operational programs for small or multi-module facilities, installation of reactor Modules during operation for multi-modules facilities, Industrial Facilities Using Nuclear Generated Process Heat, Security and Safeguards Requirements for SMRs and Offsite Emergency Planning Requirements for SMRs. While the financial issues includes Annual fee for multi-module facilities, insurance and liability for SMRs and decommissioning funding for SMRs. The seminar concludes that countries should understand the potential benefits of SMRs, but support is needed to assess the specific technology and customize to their own circumstances, implementing capacity building activities at the national and regional level in radiation protection, nuclear safety and security regulatory infrastructure and framework and promoting and supporting sustainable regional cooperation in developing needed human resources. It recommends the Authority to identify in time Licensing process issues concerning design requirements, operational issues and financial issues for regulating an SMR, Ensure regulations are adequate for licensing different technologies and fully developed for (in case of) a multi-module plants, Continue to participate in IAEA organized Workshops and Training Courses to enhance Nuclear Regulatory Framework in Nigeria for the deployment for an SMR Seminar presented by OLAOLUWA PHILEMON