Nuclear's Next 40 Years

This article highlights the efforts that need to be put in order to maintain and build nuclear power plants to ensure a reliable source of electric generation. With increasing carbon restrictions and the growing demand for electricity, reliable, carbon-free baseload electricity generation is more important than ever for the United States. The pertinent ASME Section XI Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements were modified to support license renewal. Similar steps, plus the development of new solutions for emerging aging issues, will need to be applied for second license renewals, extending the operating life of these reactors to 80 years. Industry resources must commit to demonstrate the necessary understanding of any significant changes in aging issues beyond 60 years. It is important that industry bodies, such as the Electric Power Research Institute and utility owner’s groups, and suppliers – along with the individual utilities and plants that are the leading candidates for operation beyond 60 years – collectively assure themselves and the U.S. NRC that the pertinent aging issues are identified and appropriate aging management methods are defined or created.