Technology Assessment for a Confidential Commercial Nuclear Client

HUKARI has performed Detailed Reviews of Each New Reactor System being offered in the United States (AP-1000, ABWR, ESBWR, EPR, APWR) as part of our involvement in the emergence of next generation of commercial nuclear power. These reviews included both the assessment of each new design on its own merits and a technical comparison of the competing designs. HUKARI helped develop the comprehensive approach for performing the evaluation which included a weighting and scoring structure of numerous related technical attributes. Other technology areas assessed included each reactor project team, project risks, manufacturing, and regulatory acceptance and review. Specific examples of technology review facets include:

• Design Margins

• Safety Margins

• Status of Design Completeness and Certification

• Radiation Exposure

• Staffing Levels

• Technology and Design Uncertainties

• Robustness of Project Controls

• Materials

• Technical Specification Flexibility

• Information Management

• Schedule Credibility

• Equipment Lead Times

• Construction Simplicity

• Safety Risk

• Maintenance Implications

• Site Development Factors

• Fuel Cycle and Fuel Storage
  

A total of approximately 36 technical attribute areas were formally reviewed, and consensus scores established regarding the absolute and relative merit of each technology. The client utility has characterized the effort as the most detailed evaluation of new reactor technology yet undertaken by a nuclear utility.