Challenges and Opportunities for Commercialization of Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel or Light Water Reactors: A Utility-Informed Perspective

There is consensus within the global research and development (R&D) community that the barriers to deployment of accident tolerant fuel (ATF) for commercial use in the near-future are too high and carry too much risk for any one organization to succeed alone. International collaboration is needed to leverage existing and new resources and expertise. Efforts are now underway to bring key entities together to share experiences and identify gaps and opportunities to leverage resources. In the wake of Fukushima Daiichi, momentum and funding currently exist in many countries for R&D targeting enhanced accident tolerance fuel (and other non-fuel reactor components) for Generation II/III/III+ light-water reactors (LWRs) with the goal of fundamentally changing severe accident outcomes while also maintaining or even improving fuel and reactor system performance under normal operations. While funding and interest are relatively high at present, the long time frames required for implementing substantial changes to in-core components and fuel designs demand a stable and sustained R&D focus. Likewise, the geographic dispersion and scarcity of key experimental and test facilities further highlight the need for coordination of experimental programmes and testing whenever possible and appropriate. Success in ATF development will come with the investment by, engagement of, and collaboration among the many key entities involved in the arduous path from early research through commercial deployment. As utilities are the ultimate customer for any new technology targeting enhanced performance and accident tolerance for LWRs, a clear understanding of nuclear plant operator needs and constraints is essential for the success of the global ATF R&D enterprise. Ultimately, the safety and performance benefits from ATF related investment will be realized only to the extent that new technologies are widely adopted and deployed in operating reactors. (author)