GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) today announced that its Economic
Simplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR) design certification has been
approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
“Achieving design certification means the ESBWR, the world’s safest
reactor, can now become a reality,” said Caroline Reda, president and
CEO of GEH. “Design certification will not only benefit our U.S.
customers, it marks a crucial step forward for the ESBWR’s commercial
advancement globally.”
The commission’s action acknowledges the finding by NRC staff that the
ESBWR design meets all safety and regulatory requirements. Per the NRC’s
previously published schedule, the final ESBWR design certification rule
is expected to be published in the Federal Register by the end of
September.
The ESBWR employs advanced, true passive safety systems and a simplified
design utilizing natural circulation. These attributes result in the
ability of the reactor to cool itself for more than seven days without
operator intervention or AC power on or off site. Based on core damage
frequency, the industry standard measure of safety, the ESBWR is the
world’s safest approved nuclear reactor design.
Two license applications referencing ESBWR technology are currently
pending with the NRC. In 2008, DTE Energy selected ESBWR technology for
a proposed nuclear power plant, Fermi 3, with an NRC license expected in
2015.
"We congratulate GE Hitachi on the attainment of design approval for its
ESBWR," said Ron May, DTE Energy's executive vice president of major
enterprise projects. "This is an important milestone for both GE Hitachi
and for us as we near the final stages of obtaining a combined license
from the NRC, for a potential ESBWR unit at our Fermi site in Michigan."
Last year, Dominion Virginia Power selected ESBWR technology for its
North Anna Unit 3 Nuclear Power Plant project, with an NRC license
expected in 2016.
“We are pleased that GE Hitachi has achieved this milestone in obtaining
NRC certification for its ESBWR reactor design,” said David A.
Christian, CEO, Dominion Generation. “This is yet another step in the
process that is required for us to obtain a combined operating license
for North Anna Unit 3. While the company has not made a decision to
build the new unit, we consider North Anna 3 as an important part of our
strategy to maintain a diverse supply of electrical generation for our
customers and at the same time lower our overall carbon footprint in
Virginia.”
GEH’s ESBWR Receives Design Approval by NRC
In addition to these domestic projects, the Nuclear Power Corporation of
India Ltd. has selected a site in the Kovvada region in the state of
Andhra Pradesh for the eventual construction of multiple ESBWRs. Design
certification also paves the way for the ESBWR to be built in other
locations around the globe. Key global commercial projects include:
Finland, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Vietnam and others.
The ESBWR’s technology represents the culmination of more than 55 years
of experience designing, building and servicing advanced reactors
globally. In addition to its best-in-class safety, the ESBWR includes a
modular design for ease of construction, increased fuel efficiency and
the lowest projected operating, maintenance and staffing costs per
megawatt hour in the industry.
About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GEH is a world-leading provider of advanced
reactors and nuclear services. Established in June 2007, GEH is a part
of a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the
global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single,
strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding
its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance
offers customers around the world the technological leadership required
to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety.
Copyright Business Wire 2014