PROJECT STRUCTURE

WP1
Transverse topics for LW SMR acceptability and licensing

Work on acceptability and licensing is essential to facilitate the deployment of LW-SMR in Europe.

Various topics of interest will be addressed: harmonization of licensing, waste treatment, interaction with local communities, co-location issues and integration of SMRs into hybrid energy systems.

WP2
Experimental tests program

The safety assessment of passive systems relies on calculations codes that must be qualified with a strong experimental basis.  To complement past experimental projects, a set of 9 experiments will be performed in WP2.

The experimental program is established to cover to entire chain of heat removal from the core to ultimate heat sink, through Steam Generator (SG) and safety condenser (SACO) for DBA and BDBA scenarios and through the vessel and the containment for severe accident scenarios.

WP3
Code validation, scaling

Based on the experimental results provided by WP2, eight benchmark exercises will be proposed in WP3, having as a target to address the highest-ranking gaps/needs on simulation- code modelling:

• Assessment of the capability of the codes, developed and used in Europe
• Identify passive system modelling best practices and code development needs

In addition, WP3 has as a target to develop a feasibility study of a large scale IETF for contributing to thermal-hydraulically characterize LW-SMR designs.

WP4
Reliability of passive systems

The reliability and safety assessment methodologies must be adapted to passive systems.

Probabilistic and deterministic Safety Assessment methodologies will be developed and validated thanks to assessed codes of WP3 and experimental data of WP2.

In addition, Human Reliability Analysis and multi-unit PSA will be performed.

WP5
Human & Organizational Factors

The main objective of WP5 is to create new knowledge about the safety of LW-SMRs from the point of view of human and organizational factors.

The aim is to explore these issues broadly, considering not only those specific to supervision, but also other aspects that can have an impact on safety: the supply chain, cybersecurity/security and maintenance.

WP6
SG Mock-up by additive manufacturing techniques

Within WP6, actions devoted to the qualification of SG mockups fabricated with additive manufacturing (AM) techniques will be carried out:

• Generation of data to support the use of AM techniques in accordance with existing nuclear codes
• Representative mock-up of a steam generator produced by AM
• Pre-qualification guidelines for nuclear components fabricated by AM techniques.

WP7
Advanced Core Physics Studies of Boron-Free SMR-cores

The work aims to provide a comprehensive characterization of boron-free cores and support the safety assessment of SMR cores with validated methods and industrial tools for the analysis of LW-SMR cores.

Two boron-free cores will be studied: the PRACTIC and LDR-50-lite, developed by CEA and VTT, respectively.

WP8
Communication, Education & Training

The main objectives of WP8 are to:

• Establish links with ongoing initiatives including ENEN2plus and OFFERR
• Design and implement adequate E&T and knowledge sharing activities
• Ensure appropriate communication and dissemination of the project results
• Establish, monitor and manage the end-user group of the project

WP9
Project Management and Coordination

The WP9 aims to ensure a proper implementation of the project management including an effective technical, scientific, financial and administrative coordination.