Improved nuclear power plant operations and safety through performance-based safety regulation

摘要: This paper illustrates some of the promise and needed future work for risk-informed, performance-based regulation (RIPBR). RIPBR is an evolving alternative to current prescriptive method nuclear safety regulation. Prescriptive effectively constitutes a long, fragmented checklist requirements that safety-related systems in plant must satisfy. RIPBR, instead, concentrates upon satisfying negotiated performance goals incentives judging rewarding licensee behavior improve reduce costs. In project reported here, case study was conducted concerning pressurized water reactor (PWR) emergency diesel generator (EDG). Overall, this has shown methods are feasible use, capable justifying simultaneous economic power improvements. However, it also reveals several areas where framework should be strengthened. First, researchers need better data understanding regarding individual component-failure modes may cause components fail. Not only more on failure rates, but enable analysts evaluate whether these failures become likely as interval between tests increased. because state not sufficiently finely detailed define rates component modes; such knowledge when changing component-specific regulatory requirements. Second, role testing, given failed, needs strengthened within context RIPBR. includes formulating updating prior probability distribution rate conducting additional or frequent testing. Finally, means compensating unavoidable uncertainty obstacle decision-making, limits treated explicitly formally. treatment formulation probabilities through expert solicitation review engineering analyses used proposed changes existing technical specifications.