Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Description: The video recording of RIC 2025 Technical Session: T4 - Powering the Future: Advancing Reactor Licensing Efficiencies through Streamlined Power Uprate Reviews. Power uprates, or increasing the power level of an existing reactor, had assisted in meeting rising energy demands. Power uprates had ranged up to 20 percent of the originally licensed thermal power and had been accomplished through more precise measurements or instrumentation, higher enriched fuel, or major plant modifications. Recent legislation providing incentives for the existing fleet of operating nuclear reactors to increase power output had led to over 50 percent of reactor sites indicating strong interest in the operational and safety enhancements of power uprates. Consistent with the ADVANCE Act of 2024, the NRC had engaged in a coordinated effort to identify and implement process improvements to achieve timely, predictable, and efficient application reviews for power uprates. By navigating challenges proactively, power uprates had offered a balanced solution that aligned with the goals of environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. This session brought together experts from across the industry to discuss progress made in streamlining staff reviews through recent public engagements that had led to the development of a graded approach for effective power uprate reviews. The session also discussed additional industry plans and initiatives that were being considered for power uprate applications.
SPEAKER(S):
Aida Rivera-Varona, Deputy Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC e-mail: Aida.Rivera-Varona@nrc.gov
Opening Remarks
Tony Nakanishi, Acting Chief, Plant Licensing Branch 4, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC
Power Uprate Review Readiness
Victor Cusumano, Deputy Director, Division of Safety Systems, NRR/NRC
Graded Approach to Power Uprate Reviews
Al Csontos, Director, Fuels, Nuclear Energy Institute
Modern Regulatory Processes Enabling Improved Effeciencies for Power Uprte Licensing
Baris Sarikaya, Principal Engineer, Constellation Energy
Analytical and Review Efficiencies for Power Uprate Submittals
SESSION COORDINATOR(S):
Michael Mahoney, Senior Project Manager (ORL), Plant Licensing Branch 4, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC e-mail: Michael.Mahoney@nrc.gov
Description: The video recording of RIC 2025 Technical Session: T4 - Powering the Future: Advancing Reactor Licensing Efficiencies through Streamlined Power Uprate Reviews. Power uprates, or increasing the power level of an existing reactor, had assisted in meeting rising energy demands. Power uprates had ranged up to 20 percent of the originally licensed thermal power and had been accomplished through more precise measurements or instrumentation, higher enriched fuel, or major plant modifications. Recent legislation providing incentives for the existing fleet of operating nuclear reactors to increase power output had led to over 50 percent of reactor sites indicating strong interest in the operational and safety enhancements of power uprates. Consistent with the ADVANCE Act of 2024, the NRC had engaged in a coordinated effort to identify and implement process improvements to achieve timely, predictable, and efficient application reviews for power uprates. By navigating challenges proactively, power uprates had offered a balanced solution that aligned with the goals of environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. This session brought together experts from across the industry to discuss progress made in streamlining staff reviews through recent public engagements that had led to the development of a graded approach for effective power uprate reviews. The session also discussed additional industry plans and initiatives that were being considered for power uprate applications.
SPEAKER(S):
Aida Rivera-Varona, Deputy Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC e-mail: Aida.Rivera-Varona@nrc.gov
Opening Remarks
Tony Nakanishi, Acting Chief, Plant Licensing Branch 4, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC
Power Uprate Review Readiness
Victor Cusumano, Deputy Director, Division of Safety Systems, NRR/NRC
Graded Approach to Power Uprate Reviews
Al Csontos, Director, Fuels, Nuclear Energy Institute
Modern Regulatory Processes Enabling Improved Effeciencies for Power Uprte Licensing
Baris Sarikaya, Principal Engineer, Constellation Energy
Analytical and Review Efficiencies for Power Uprate Submittals
SESSION COORDINATOR(S):
Michael Mahoney, Senior Project Manager (ORL), Plant Licensing Branch 4, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR/NRC e-mail: Michael.Mahoney@nrc.gov
