Nuclear Regulatory Commission set to certify NuScale Small Modular Reactor design

With the issuance of a final safety evaluation report, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is preparing a rulemaking to certify NuScale Power’s small modular reactor design, asserting that it can shut down safely and remain safe under emergency conditions.

The design incorporates natural passive processes — things like convection and gravity — in its operating systems and safety features in ways that allow it to produce around 600 MW of electricity. It utilizes 12 modules, each capable of producing 50 MW. All are submerged in a safety-related pool built below ground level. Initially accepted for review in March 2017, the design underwent 42 months of technical review.

From here, NuScale intends to apply for standard design approval of a 60 MW per module version of the same design in 2022, which will require additional NRC review. Even with the design approval and certification grant, however, the SMR design will not be able to be built or operated yet.

The Commission can grant full certification following the staff’s recommendation. At that point, a utility could reference the ensign when applying for a combined license to build and operate a nuclear power plant.