Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Regulatory
Enabling the safe use of nuclear power
Nuclear-generated electricity produces benefits beyond keeping our homes warm, lights on, and cell phones charged. The federal government estimates use of carbon-free nuclear energy in America avoids some 650 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory understands nuclear power and its many environmental, energy, and economic benefits. We apply and leverage our expertise, built over five decades, to help facilitate the construction of new reactors, safely extend the lives of existing reactors, address waste management issues, and reduce concerns that nuclear materials might end up in the wrong hands.
At the heart of our efforts is the development of Advanced Condition Monitoring—an innovative concept that integrates sensors and fundamental understanding of materials with interpretive and predictive modeling. ACM will enable real-time, predictive performance measurement for nuclear reactors, making virtually all aspects of power generation more efficient and safe, and informing the development of improved reactor technologies.
We specialize in:
New Reactor Siting and Design Certification [+ expand/ - collapse]
In our role as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's prime contractor for environmental site reviews, we are helping to put new reactors on line. PNNL draws upon its diverse subject matter expertise in environmental assessment to help the NRC determine natural resource impacts associated with proposed power plant sites. PNNL also assists the NRC with design certification for new reactor designs, and presently is partnering with other national laboratories and the NRC to help establish regulatory protocols for an emerging technology—small modular reactors (SMR). The compact and flexible SMRs may extend the viability of nuclear energy to power suppliers who, for various reasons, (cost, power needs), are not in the market to build full-scale plants.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following publication:
Nuclear Regulatory Expertise for America's Energy Future
Sustained Reactor Operations [+ expand/ - collapse]
PNNL provides a wide range of technical support to the NRC to help keep the nation's 104 nuclear reactors producing power and operating safely. With decades of experience assisting the NRC, we are a trusted resource. Our researchers deliver knowledge and solutions in a number of areas, such as reactor component wear and tear, fluid system analysis, fire protection, and cyber security. These efforts help inform NRC policy and foster new ideas and approaches to improve reactor operations. We also assist the NRC with re-licensing activities. PNNL provides the environmental reviews for applicants seeking to extend reactor operating licenses from 40 to 60 years. And, as the NRC ponders the idea of extending licenses beyond 60 years, PNNL is on the front lines, conducting research in materials degradation and other fields that will help the NRC reach informed decisions concerning long-term life extensions.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following publication:
Nuclear Regulatory Expertise for America's Energy Future
International Regulatory Programs [+ expand/ - collapse]
More than 60 countries are considering development of nuclear power programs. Recognizing that the continued expansion of nuclear energy worldwide is highly dependent on safe operations and public confidence, we seek to help countries build comprehensive and effective regulatory frameworks. Our expertise in nuclear science and technology and environmental assessment provides a solid foundation for our efforts. We augment this ability with real-world experience, gained through our work with a number of countries and our management of the U.S. Department of Energy's International Nuclear Safety Program. We understand what it takes to effectively tailor a regulatory program to a country's unique needs.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following publication:
Nuclear Regulatory Expertise for America's Energy Future
Fuel Cycle Research and Development [+ expand/ - collapse]
One of the challenges facing nuclear energy regards the nuclear fuel cycle. Used nuclear fuel still retains significant residual energy, and must either be recycled for additional use or securely disposed of. PNNL is helping identify and develop future sustainable fuel cycles—an approach that includes the development of more efficient fuels, recycling, and secure disposal. We are applying capabilities in online monitoring, radiochemistry, and irradiated materials examination to better understand fuel performance. This in turn will help speed the development and qualification of new fuels and fuel processing innovations. Additionally, our waste form development expertise is creating mediums in which non-recyclable fission products can be stored safely, effectively, and permanently.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following:
Nuclear Energy Research at PNNL
Commercial-Scale Technology Development [+ expand/ - collapse]
We work collaboratively with industry and others to enable the development of new commercial nuclear power plants and reprocessing facilities. Our expertise is suited to the task. PNNL staff have been extensively involved in the development of large-scale facilities and processes in the government sector, including the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. We intend to leverage this experience, as well as our unique capabilities in waste form development, radiochemical processing, and irradiated materials examination, to enable development of commercial-scale technologies. We envision advances in power generation, fuel recycling, and radioisotope production. We'll augment our approach with international safety assessment expertise, which, in particular, is helping foreign nations establish a safety basis for planned reactors.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following:
Nuclear Energy Research at PNNL
Life Extension [+ expand/ - collapse]
In addition to providing regulatory support for nuclear plant life extension, PNNL is working on the science and technology side of this issue. We're providing key capabilities and addressing a number of industry challenges, such as structural materials wear and reliability. As part of the effort, we also are teaming with other national laboratories and the Department of Energy on the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program. This program focuses on structural material behavior, structural material measurements, and risk-informed safety characterization—the latter of which is an integration of our longstanding safety assessment expertise with fundamental knowledge of structural materials.
To learn more about work in this area, see the following:
Nuclear Energy Research at PNNL
