Potential application of NRC aging research to license renewal

A strong technical base, when developed and implemented, to manage aging in plant safety related systems, support systems, structures, and components will give confidence to all of us in the nuclear community with regard to our ability to maintain continuous safe operation of nuclear power plants of all ages. This technical base for managing aging must be built over the foundation of reviews and analyses of original designs, operating experience of over 20 years, experts' opinions, and the utilization of research results. The key elements of managing aging are the understanding of risk significance of aging phenomena and the licensee program(s) for inspection, surveillance, condition monitoring, trending, record-keeping and maintenance to mitigate the influence and effects of aging. An overview is provided of the intended application of plant aging research results. In the process it delineates some key steps recommended for the development of appropriate regulatory guides and review procedures involving the technical issues for license renewal considerations. This application of aging research results is based primarily upon the NPAR theme of 'Understanding Aging-A Key to Ensuring Safety, and Managing Aging-A Necessity to Ensuring Safety.' (orig.)