French Licensing approaches for LTO Sylvie CADET-MERCIER Commissioner Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (ASN) French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon
1. Regulatory framework 2. Regulatory decision making on LTO 3. ASN expectations for LTO 4. Public involvement 5. Conclusion Content 2 French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon
Regulatory framework in France Regulatory framework The Operator is responsible for the safety of its installation Continuous oversight performed by the regulator (ASN) If serious and immediate hazard: ASN can stop the installation at any time No legal time limit for service operation of a nuclear installation Every 10 years: a mandatory Periodic Safety Review (PSR) ASN prescriptions for the continuation of the operation March 8, 2016 3
Reevaluation & Safety improvements Prescriptions For each nuclear installation Drawbacks (normal operation) Risks Non radiological Malicious acts Radiological Periodic safety review (10 years) Applicable requirements International best practices Knowledge improvement Operation feedback Periodic safety review report Regulatory framework Environmental code (code L. 593-19) Conformity check + Ageing management 4
Standardized fleet: 58 PWRs (+1) 1 vendor 1 licensee 75 % of the fleet built between 1979 and 1990 Fleet age: French fleet average age 31 years (1st criticality) 29 years (connection to the grid) NPP average age (1st criticality) 900 MWe: 34 reactors35 years 1300 MWe: 20 reactors29 years 1450 MWe: 4 reactors19 years Oldest reactor: 40 years old Making a regulatory decision on LTO Specific processus for radiological risks 5
Generic phase Orientation Objectives and programme Generic studies Pooling Studies Making a regulatory decision on LTO Two phases Application to each plant - Conformity check - Ten-yearly tests (containment, primary/secondary systems9) - Modifications implementation First-off plant Ten-yearly outage PSR CONCLUSION REPORT PSR CONCLUSION REPORT PSR 9 CONCLUSION REPORT :. March 8, 2016 6
DOR Technical expertise IRSN First phase : a genericphase ~ 1 year ~ 6 years Orientation Objectives and programme Advisory committee «orientation» GP-R/-ESPN ASN expectations on the objectives and programme Making a regulatory decision on LTO Generic studies Technical expertise IRSN Advisory committee «thematic» GP-R/-ESPN AGEING Definition of the ageing management programme Advisory committee «PSR conclusion» ASN conclusion on the generic studies and the related safety improvements 7
Second phase : a phase specificto eachplant Application for each plant ten-yearly outage Conformity check Ten-yearly tests (containment, primary/secondary systems9) Modifications implementation First-off plant Making a regulatory decision on LTO ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage Integration of results of the controls related to the ageing management programme PSR CONCLUSION REPORT Issue of PSR conclusion report of plant A (latest PSR + 10 years) 8
Second phase : a phase specificto eachplant Application for each plant ten-yearly outage Conformity check Ten-yearly tests (containment, primary/secondary systems9) Modifications implementation First-off plant Making a regulatory decision on LTO ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage ASN prescriptions for each plant for the continuation of the operation 9
Second phase : a phase specific to each plant Generic studies First-off plant Application for each plant ten-yearly outage Conformity check Ten-yearly tests (containment, primary/secondary systems9) Modifications implementation : Making a regulatory decision on LTO 2 nd plant ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage 3 rd plant ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage ASN prescriptions for each plant for the continuation of the operation 10
How to accept continued operation of existing reactors after their PSRs, given that new designs comply with more stringent safety objectives? ASN expectations for LTO 11 French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon
March 8, 2016 DOR Technical Expertise IRSN Orientation Objectives and programme Advisory Committee «orientation» GP-R/-ESPN ASN expectations for LTO ASN expectations on the objectives and programme 12 French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon
DOR Conformity + Ageing Orientation Objectives and programme -Enhanced propositions for scope of on-site verifications -Deviations correction during 4th ten-yearly outage at the latest - Improved knowledge of ageing mechanisms - Mechanical behavior of RPV: conservative and deterministic methods - More visibility on exceptional maintenance ASN expectations for LTO ASN expectations on the objectives and programme Safety reevaluation Safety objectives Reference levels new reactors (2014) Directive 2014/87/Euratom July 2014 Improvements - Limitation of radiological consequences for design accidents - no or minor offsite radiological impact - Limitation of consequences for severe accidents - limited protective measures inareaandtime - Provisions for spent fuel pool - Robustness towards hazards March 8, 2016 13
Public inquiry required by the law Application for each PSR First-off plant ~ 6 months Ten-yearly outage Public involvement Due to the fleet, ASN decision to involve public at an earlier stage Orientation Objectives and programme Generic studies Generic studies and definition of related safety improvements Application for each PSR Conformity check / ten-yearly tests Modifications implementation9
ASN exercises a continuous oversight of the nuclear installations Conclusions Periodic safety reviews (PSRs) are a major step in the process of the continued operation of the reactors Mainissuesinviewofcontinuedoperationbeyond40years Strengthening & maintaining the installation conformity, including managing ageing phenomena Achieving an ambitious safety level increase, by taking as reference the safety objectives defined for new reactors (e.g. EPR) PSR, while addressing technical issues, should also be the opportunity to increase transparency and public involvement, especially in the perspective of continued operation beyond 40 years 15
Thank you for your attention Any question? March 8, 2016 16 French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon
March 8, 2016 The French NPPs 4th Periodic Safety Review and the LTO Perspectives French Licensing Approaches for LTO PLIM 2017 Lyon