Nuclear power plant licensing

The world is increasingly focused on climate change. Many stakeholders are working to decrease emissions and decarbonise the power supply. However, with economies and populations growing exponentially, demand for electricity is increasing – be it for manufacturing, domestic use, or transport.

Governments across the world are meeting challenge of producing reliable, affordable energy in many ways. These include increasing the amount of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind.

Nuclear power plants can either be the major provider within a national network or part of a mixed nuclear/renewable energy strategy. They contribute to the fight against climate change as they produce no greenhouse gases when in operation.

Over the years, the nuclear power sector has always made safety and quality its upmost priorities. Both nuclear power plant operators and regulators have put in place a range of design and construction regulations, nuclear safety conventions and ISO certifications to ensure that nuclear power is safe and one of the most reliable ways to generate energy.

The nuclear power sector is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Navigating the myriad of codes and procedures can appear daunting. TÜV SÜD has a trusted team of nuclear experts who can guide you through every regulation you need to comply with.

The nuclear industry has a responsibility to protect people and the environment against radiation risks. Every stakeholder needs to make the facilities and activities that carry those risks as safe as possible.

For owners and operators, the challenge is to adapt the chosen nuclear power plant design to fulfil local regulation while staying economically viable throughout its lifecycle. Getting approval for any new build is subject to detailed scrutiny. This is particularly the case when entering a new market, and can be costly if licencing and specification documents are incomplete. The technology specified must conform to the latest safety standards, so monitoring the latest developments in the industry and applicable regulations is a must.

For engineering, procurement and construction contractors (EPC) and the supply chain, the emphasis is on quality and safety. The requirements and specifications of both the owner and regulatory authorities must always be top priority. Interpreting the planning blueprints and scheduling material supply chains correctly means tight deadlines can be met. Sourcing the proven, high-end technology specified by operators ensures that quality and safety standards are second to none.

Recognised as a leading player in the nuclear power sector, TÜV SÜD boasts an impressive portfolio of successful inspections, in-depth analyses, as well as bespoke advisory and training projects around the world.

TÜV SÜD’s nuclear plant experts can help with all stages of the nuclear power plant lifecycle, from construction through safe operation to secure decommissioning.

We are well placed to guide clients through regulatory requirements. We will ensure that you possess in-depth documentation and targeted supporting information. This could be the key to successfully complying with nuclear power plant licensing requirements and achieving quick approval.

Furthermore, we support nuclear supply chain management by recommending improvements to quality and safety, as well as offering training on various topics along the nuclear power plant lifecycle.

Approval and licensing

Construction of a new nuclear power plant is a complex process involving several stakeholders and decision makers. Energy generators and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors face a gauntlet of regulatory, financial and safety hurdles before generating the first kW of electricity. This can affect finding a suitable site, securing financing, and acquiring planning and licenses to ensure that construction runs smoothly and on time. If you are building the plant in a new market, unfamiliar approval processes, building regulations and new suppliers can make the process even more complicated.

Our services for approval and licensing include independent assurance, and independent assessment of your licensing documentation. With thorough knowledge of regulatory requirements, we can de-risk your project and avoid unnecessary rework.

Nuclear safety

The International atomic energy agency (IAEA) safety standards help protect people and the environment from radiation risks. They comprise ways to design, construct and operate nuclear power plants in a safe and economically meaningful way. For example, a deterministic approach can be chosen using a set of initiating events to identify the load limits the systems of a nuclear power plant must adhere to.

Adequate design solutions and specific procedures to deal with initiating events ensure that fundamental safety functions are in place. These include controlling reactivity, removing heat from the reactor and fuel store, confining radioactive material and avoiding accidental releases.

A further concept introduced in IAEA Guidelines to maximise nuclear safety is the defence in depth concept. This approach combines consecutive, independent levels of protection, so if one level were to fail, the subsequent level is activated.

By implementing defence in depth from the very beginning, operators can incorporate sufficient safety margins, diversity and redundancy into their design and engineering. Moreover, the graded approach to safety underling the defence in dept concept allows the usage of components of different quality grades to realise the system and safety functions on each defence level. Adapting the required quality to the appropriate level of defence is a key to reconciling safety and costs.

TÜV SÜD’s expertise in the nuclear power plant sector means our clients have access to an experienced consultants who can undertake hazard analysis to avoid incidents and accidents. What’s more, we understand the challenge of maintaining a reasonable balance between safety, quality, and related costs.

Supply chain audits

Whether it be in the supply of services or products, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors are key to ensuring a nuclear power plant is built to the highest quality standards. Furthermore, with plant safety a top priority, there must be no weaknesses or potential disruptions in any part of the nuclear supply chain.

It is usually a requirement of the nuclear licencing process that suppliers and manufacturers must also comply with the many safety and security regulations in place in the sector. That could be particularly challenging when entering a new market, where local codes and standards may differ or be more exacting. Any breaches could result in monetary or regulatory penalties, the loss of the contract and reputational risk.

Supply chain audits confirm EPCs have the necessary checks and systems in place to safeguard compliance with applicable nuclear codes and standards. In addition, they guarantee the quality of goods and services and ensure safety is maintained across the nuclear supply chain. And for new EPC contractors coming onto the market, it is essential that they prove they can meet the stringent quality thresholds needed.

The experienced auditors at TÜV SÜD can audit suppliers and offer guidance to deliver secure, reliable nuclear supply chain management. TÜV SÜD can also offer advice and support to new and established manufacturers and EPCs looking to expand their activities. We are also a trusted partner for certification of quality management systems according to ISO 19443.

Equipment qualification

During construction, parts for a nuclear power plant can come from a myriad of local and international EPCs and manufactures. Ensuring the quality and compliance of plant and equipment is vital to meeting the regulations laid down by the host country’s authorities.

Equipment qualification is a way for EPCs, manufacturers and nuclear power plant operators to prove the quality and safety compliance of components. This usually takes the form of documented evidence relating to the design, function, and performance of equipment to pre-determined norms.

Working closely with operators, EPCs and manufacturers, TÜV SÜD provides support with equipment qualification throughout the lifecycle of the nuclear power plant. Using our own facilities and laboratories, we perform physical equipment assessment including EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and seismic/environmental tests.

From developing technical and system specifications, through compliance checks and technical assessments to documentation and test reports, we are a trusted partner who will ensure the quality and reliability of operational and safety equipment.