Overview Of The Advanced Light Water Reactor Program

Abstract

The U.S. has embarked upon an extensive advanced light water reactor development program. This program is sponsored by the U.S. utilities, with cooperation from foreign utilities, through the EPRI Advanced Light Water Reactor (ALWR) Program and by the U.S. Department of Energy through its closely coordinated advanced light water reactor design projects. The purpose of the ALWR program is to provide a solid technical foundation for the design and licensing of the next generation of light water reactors. Through this program the utilities are establishing a comprehensive set of design requirements for advanced LWRs, and are working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to achieve a stabilized regulatory basis for them as well. The main product of this phase of the ALWR Program has been the development of the Utility Requirements Document which establishes top-tier, functional and system/component design requirements for evolutionary and passive plants, both PWR and BWR (entire plant); and incorporates resolutions of generic safety issues and optimization issues (departures from current regulatory practices). Both evolutionary and passive ALWR concepts are viable for the future. The passive ALWR is less developed, but appears to have higher potential to realize major improvements over existing plants. By the end of the current phase of passive plant development, a good foundation will be in place but more work will be needed before the passive plant can be considered ready for investment from a technical or licensing point of view. In 1990, a follow-on passive plant program (Passive Plant Phase 3) will begin which will take the passive plant concept one step further - to the point that it is a truly viable ALWR candidate, one demonstrated to meet the needs of utilities, regulators, and the public This paper will highlight ALWR top-level design requirements, describe the key requirements and major technical improvements presented in each chapter of the Requirements Document, and briefly discuss ALWR Passive Plant Phase 3.