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DOE OSTI2016

The DOE Unreviewed Safety Question Process, Addressing New Information For Credible Nuclear Accidents

The Department of Energy (DOE) Unreviewed Safety Question (USQ) process is in use for hazardous nuclear facilities operated within the DOE nuclear complex. DOE, which is the federal nuclear safety regulator for its nuclear facilities, requires that each nuclear facility have a Documented Safety Analysis that defines the controls for each credible accident based on a detailed accident analysis. The DOE USQ process provides key mechanisms for formally identifying to the regulator potential accident analysis issues at operating nuclear facilities including those that stem from emergent or new information on hazards. The DOE USQ process provides for formal evaluation of those emergent issues and for determining the need for formal regulator (DOE) review and approval of any resulting immediate or long-term actions. Regarding the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, lessons learned on the evaluation and disposition of new information have been noted by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and the National Research Council. These organizations noted that: - when new information indicates the potential for conditions that could significantly reduce safety margins or exceed current design assumptions, a timely, formal, and comprehensive assessment of the potential for substantial consequences should be conducted, and - if the new information analysis results in substantial changes to the risk profile or could impact the function of important safety systems, then compensatory actions or countermeasures need to be established without delay. The objective of this paper is to raise awareness regarding the salient requirements and guidance of the DOE USQ process used at DOE's operating nuclear facilities that bear on handling of emergent or new information on hazards and that address the lessons learned noted above by INPO and the National Research Council. There is no analysis or intent to make any implications regarding how use of the DOE USQ process might have affected events at Fukushima. The DOE USQ process, when applied as intended at DOE nuclear facilities, addresses lessons learned identified by INPO and the National Research Council regarding use of emergent or new information on hazards. The DOE USQ process ensures a timely, formal, and comprehensive assessment of the potential for substantial consequences resulting from new information on hazards. When the new information analysis results in substantial changes to the risk profile or shows an impact to the function of important safety systems, the DOE USQ process calls for compensatory actions or countermeasures to be established in a timely manner. The DOE USQ process ensures a formal evaluation by the regulator and approval of the planned actions addressing the vulnerabilities made know by new information on hazards. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Advancements in the H-Canyon Exhaust Ventilation System Inspections at the Savannah River Site - 16030

A facility safety envelope requires management of activities to ensure no unacceptable radiological or chemical hazards to the public, site worker and environment occur. While appropriate design and construction methods ensure an initial physical plant configuration, what actions must an operating Facility take to ensure the physical plant continues to meet a safety configuration throughout Facility life? While a physical walk down of the plant is a tried and true method to confirm conditions, what other methods must be used when a walk down is not possible? What inspection methods are used when balancing budget pressures against obtaining inspection data? The periodic inspections of the H-Canyon Exhaust Tunnel are performed remotely. The 2015 remote Tunnel inspection has been the most successful inspection to date. This presentation highlights the continued lessons learned with the most recent 2015 remote Tunnel inspection. These lessons learned are applicable to Facilities considering or performing remote inspections. The Recovery Crawler Project was tasked with determining if the 2014 Inspection Crawler could be retrieved, perform the retrieval if feasible and complete the inspection of the remaining sections of the exhaust tunnel that were not previously performed. The objectives for the project were met, the Inspection Crawler was deemed unusable and left in place and the Recovery Crawler performed the complete 143 meters (470 feet) of tunnel inspection and an additional 55 meters (180 feet) of exhaust tunnel inspection not previously completed. The remote inspection of a 60+ year operating Canyon Exhaust tunnel is a complex endeavor requiring close coordination of multiple organizations, adherence to Conduct of Operations, Radiological Safety, Worker Safety, etc. principles as well as alignment with Facility Safety Basis requirements. This paper discusses the challenges, actions required getting ready for the 2015 recovery and continued inspection and the hazards encountered performing the actual recovery/inspection. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2019

Overview of LCLS-II Project Status at Fermilab

The superconducting RF Continuous-Wave (CW) Linac for the LCLS-II consists of thirty-five 1.3 GHz and two 3.9 GHz cryomodules that Fermilab and Jefferson Lab are jointly producing in collaboration with SLAC. Fermilab’s scope of work is to build, test, and deliver half the 1.3 GHz and all the 3.9 GHz cryomodules and to design and procure components for the cryogenic distribution system. Fermilab has primary responsibility for delivering a working design. The cryomodule design basis was the European XFEL but several elements evolved to meet CW operation requirements and specifics of the SLAC tunnel. There have been several challenges faced during the design, assembly, testing and transportation of the cryomodules which have required design updates. Success in overcoming these challenges is attributable to the strength of the LCLS-II SRF Collaboration (Fermilab, Jefferson Lab and SLAC with extensive help from DESY and CEA/Saclay). The cryogenic distribution system has progressed relatively well and there are valuable Lessons Learned. An overview of the status, accomplishments, problems encountered, solutions developed, and a summary of Lessons Learned will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Integrated Operations for Nuclear: Work Reduction Opportunity Demonstration Strategy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program Plant Modernization Pathway has been working with industry for a number of years to leverage digital technology to extend the life and improve the performance of the existing fleet through modernized technologies and improved processes for plant operation and power generation. This includes development of modernization solutions to improve reliability and economic performance while addressing US nuclear industry’s aging and obsolescence challenges. The objective of these efforts is to deliver a sustainable business model that enables US nuclear industry to remain competitive. Digital Infrastructure (DI) research has established a technical foundation for these efforts. This effort began with technical analysis and support for a safety-related instrumentation and control (I&C) pilot upgrade being performed at Constellation Energy Generation’s Limerick Nuclear Plant. The following publicly available reports were produced as part of this effort. • INL/EXT-20-61079, Vendor-Independent Design Requirements for a Boiling Water Reactor Safety System Upgrade [1] • INL/EXT-20-59371, Business Case Analysis for Digital Safety-Related Instrumentation & Control System Modernizations [2] • INL/EXT-20-59809, “Safety-Related Instrumentation and Control Pilot Upgrade: Initial Scoping Phase Implementation Report and Lessons Learned [3] • INL/RPT-23-72105, Safety-Related Instrumentation and Control Upgrade: Conceptual – Detailed Design Phase Report and Lessons Learned [4]

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Potential Cost Reduction in New Nuclear Deployments Based on Recent AP1000 Experience

The completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4, despite significant cost and schedule overruns, a major bankruptcy, and a pandemic, demonstrates that the U.S. nuclear industry can still develop new supply chains, train a highly skilled workforce, and build large nuclear power plants. Vogtle, being a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) plant, faced overruns, but FOAK overruns can decrease with more deployments through a combination of design standardization and modularization, transferring and implementing lessons learned between consecutive projects, and innovation. This report quantifies the potential cost and schedule reductions in future AP1000 plants in the US and identifies the barriers in achieving those reductions. It starts with a summary and analysis of the cost and construction timeline data for AP1000 plants that started construction in the United States (Vogtle) and China. Motivated by the steep schedule reductions from the first to second series of AP1000 plants in China, a cost reduction model was developed to quantify potential reductions for future AP1000 builds in the US. Results show that within about 3 more builds, AP1000s can become economically attractive in large markets in the U.S., without leveraging the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) or Production Tax Credit (PTC), and much sooner if these tax credits are available. Importantly the financial risks for future AP1000 builds in the US might be much smaller than observed in the FOAK plants. The study also identifies various barriers for future builds including the availability of a supply chain and a skilled workforce, and emphasizes the importance of making investments to gather and implement lessons learned between consecutive projects.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Toward Solar Photovoltaic Storm Resilience: Learning from Hurricane Loss and Rebuilding Better

The General Service Administration (GSA) suffered extensive damage to its solar arrays located throughout the Caribbean from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. While the damage that occurred was unfortunate, there are excellent lessons learned that can be gained and utilized on new systems. A site on St. Croix provides a particularly high-value opportunity for lessons learned due to the innovative rebuilding process utilized by GSA managers and the in-depth analysis performed by the project engineers. This case study focuses on the rebuild of a 469-kW ground array located at the Almeric L. Christian Federal Building in Christiansted, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This array was destroyed by Hurricane Maria. The entire process of planning and subsequent rebuilding that the GSA managers undertook was highly successful. Notably, GSA managers conducting the rebuild effort obtained an independent assessment of failure modes from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national labs and then retained a consulting engineering firm to develop design and construction guidance for the rebuild effort. This design and construction guidance was then provided to the engineering, procurement, and constructing firm to implement while rebuilding the site.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Using Retrofit Nail Base Panels to Expand the Market for Wall Upgrades

This project evaluated the effectiveness and affordability of integrating retrofit insulated panels into a re-siding project. The Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI) teamed with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the Albany Housing Authority (AHA), and the New York State Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) administered by Albany Community Action Partnership to demonstrate an energy retrofit and siding upgrade on a two-story, seven unit, multifamily building in Albany New York (CZ 5). The project focused on accomplishing three goals - doubling the existing wall thermal resistance (from approximately R-13 to a weighted average of R-27), reduction of building air leakage, and completion of the retrofit within a budget where the additional cost for upgrading wall's thermal resistance is equal to the cost of the standard re-siding effort (i.e., the total cost of the energy efficient re-siding scope of work is not more than double the cost of the standard re-siding effort). Lessons learned from the project strongly indicate that the retrofit panel technology can be installed using common installation practices and with minimal training. Other lessons learned include limitation on the use of standard air sealing materials during cold weather installations and the need to develop better installation guidance for trades working with the level of tolerances that may be present in the existing structure. This technology demonstration showed that exterior retrofit panels provide a viable and reasonable option for the siding trades to increase market opportunities and achieve synergistic benefits for aesthetic upgrades to a building's exterior.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2016

Building America Case Study: Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany, New York

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Neighborhood Keeper Program Review

Dragos provided INL access to their Neighborhood Keeper platform, which contains simulated data, sample reports given to utilities, and access to anonymized program data that is sent from utilities to the cloud. Dragos has specifically asked INL to review the available data and respond to the following questions: 1) What detections or combinations of detections are most useful? 2) What additional analysis would benefit the electricity subsector? 3) How could Neighborhood Keeper reporting be modified to benefit the electricity subsector? 4) What lessons learned from the Cybersecurity for the Operational Technology Environment (CyOTE) program could be provided? 5) Based on INL’s experience with utilities, are there lessons learned about data sharing that could be provided? 6) Are there recommendations that could benefit the electricity subsector?

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Cyber-Informed Engineering: Cybersecurity for Microgrids Workshop Workbook

This case study workbook provides a hypothetical project to support discussion and application of the principles for Cyber-Informed Engineering. Participants in the workshop are encouraged to use the workbook to capture insights and lessons learned. The provided attachment to this workbook contains the visuals for the hypothetical project scope and is used by participants as they capture insights and lessons learned. Though some elements of this scenario are provided for consideration, there are likely key facts which have been omitted or may be unclear. Participants are encouraged to make any needed assumptions about the project to enable application of the CIE principles. Though this project is based on real-world case studies, it is fictional.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2026

Elevating Engagement: Insights for Energy Infrastructure Siting from Oregon Literature

Our study conducts a meta-synthesis of existing Oregon-based literature on stakeholder and community engagement methods across a variety of contexts to identify best practices and lessons learned to inform future engagement processes for Oregon’s energy siting. We analyze and synthesize these strategies to understand what has worked well across engagement practices and how we can integrate and learn from a variety of methods to develop more effective practices for engagement moving forward. We look at the successes and challenges for each method, applying lessons learned to the pre-permitting phase of energy development and infrastructure planning in Oregon. Our results synthesize key recommendations for engagement in the pre-permitting phase for energy infrastructure siting in Oregon, such as consensus and relationship building, local partnerships, and background research to understand community context.

energy infrastructure↗

DOE OSTI2016

Innovative Approach for Technetium-99 Disposal Reduces Operational Impacts - 16460

The Environmental Management Waste Management Facility (EMWMF) on the Oak Ridge Reservation began receiving and disposing waste with elevated technetium-99 (Tc-99) activities on November 11, 2013. Prior to receipt, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation expressed concerns about potential releases of this highly mobile radionuclide into the environment and requested additional safeguards to minimize potential releases. Several additional requirements were negotiated to address these concerns and allow this waste lot to be safely disposed at EMWMF. Because of the 130-cm (51-inch) annual average precipitation at the landfill, the potential release of Tc-99 (above the release criterion) to surface water during the EMWMF water management activities was of the greatest concern. The EMWMF Operations staff developed an innovative approach to resolve regulator concerns regarding disposal of low-level waste containing elevated levels of Tc-99 at EMWMF. This approach minimized the spread of contamination and the generation of water that contacted the Tc-99 waste. Lessons learned and recommendations are being implemented for the next, more challenging elevated Tc-99 waste from the K-27 Building, currently scheduled for early 2016. These lessons learned are also applicable to other sites looking to minimize operational impacts from disposal of waste with elevated activities of Tc-99 or other highly mobile contaminants. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2023

European Union's Action Plan for Power Sector Decarbonisation

A collaborative report from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) on Lessons Learned for Rapid Decarbonization of Power Sectors was delivered to energy ministers and presented at CEM13 in the United States in September 2022. In light of these lessons learned and discussed at CEM13, several countries signaled intent to develop Action Plans for power sector decarbonization that will be presented at CEM14 in India. These action plans complement - but are differentiated from - other international power sector initiatives such as the Breakthrough Agenda - whose broad purpose is to raise collective ambition - and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium - whose goals are to convene power system operators to accelerate research innovations and foster peer learning. These action plans, supported by the 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) and other CEM workstreams via direct technical assistance and capacity building, are instead intended to focus on implementation actions given each country's existing power sector goals and activities and are an opportunity for countries to display leadership in power sector decarbonization. These action plans are voluntary, developed by each country individually, and can be viewed as a living document that is subject to change.

decarbonization↗

DOE OSTI2023

Chile's Action Plan for Power Sector Decarbonization

A collaborative report from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) on Lessons Learned for Rapid Decarbonization of Power Sectors was delivered to energy ministers and presented at CEM13 in the United States in September 2022. In light of these lessons learned and discussed at CEM13, several countries signaled intent to develop Action Plans for power sector decarbonization that will be presented at CEM14 in India. These action plans complement but are differentiated from - other international power sector initiatives such as the Breakthrough Agenda whose broad purpose is to raise collective ambition and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium whose goals are to convene power system operators to accelerate research innovations and foster peer learning. These action plans, supported by the 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) and other CEM workstreams via direct technical assistance and capacity building, are instead intended to focus on implementation actions given each country's existing power sector goals and activities and are an opportunity for countries to display leadership in power sector decarbonization. These action plans are voluntary, developed by each country individually, and can be viewed as a living document that is subject to change.

Chile↗

DOE OSTI2023

Australia's Action Plan for Power Sector Decarbonisation

A collaborative report from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) on Lessons Learned for Rapid Decarbonization of Power Sectors was delivered to energy ministers and presented at CEM13 in the United States in September 2022. In light of these lessons learned and discussed at CEM13, several countries signaled intent to develop Action Plans for power sector decarbonization that will be presented at CEM14 in India. These action plans complement but are differentiated from other international power sector initiatives such as the Breakthrough Agenda whose broad purpose is to raise collective ambition and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium whose goals are to convene power system operators to accelerate research innovations and foster peer learning. These action plans, supported by the 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) and other CEM workstreams via direct technical assistance and capacity building, are instead intended to focus on implementation actions given each country's existing power sector goals and activities and are an opportunity for countries to display leadership in power sector decarbonization. These action plans are voluntary, developed by each country individually, and can be viewed as a living document that is subject to change.

Australia↗

DOE OSTI2023

India's Action Plan for Power Sector Decarbonisation

A collaborative report from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) on Lessons Learned for Rapid Decarbonization of Power Sectors was delivered to energy ministers and presented at CEM13 in the United States in September 2022. In light of these lessons learned and discussed at CEM13, several countries signaled intent to develop Action Plans for power sector decarbonization that will be presented at CEM14 in India. These action plans complement but are differentiated from other international power sector initiatives such as the Breakthrough Agenda whose broad purpose is to raise collective ambition and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium whose goals are to convene power system operators to accelerate research innovations and foster peer learning. These action plans, supported by the 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) and other CEM workstreams via direct technical assistance and capacity building, are instead intended to focus on implementation actions given each country's existing power sector goals and activities and are an opportunity for countries to display leadership in power sector decarbonization. These action plans are voluntary, developed by each country individually, and can be viewed as a living document that is subject to change.

decarbonization↗

DOE OSTI2023

United Kingdom's Action Plan for Power Sector Decarbonisation

A collaborative report from the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) on Lessons Learned for Rapid Decarbonization of Power Sectors was delivered to energy ministers and presented at CEM13 in the United States in September 2022. In light of these lessons learned and discussed at CEM13, several countries signaled intent to develop Action Plans for power sector decarbonization that will be presented at CEM14 in India. These action plans complement but are differentiated from other international power sector initiatives such as the Breakthrough Agenda whose broad purpose is to raise collective ambition and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium whose goals are to convene power system operators to accelerate research innovations and foster peer learning. These action plans, supported by the 21st Century Power Partnership (21CPP) and other CEM workstreams via direct technical assistance and capacity building, are instead intended to focus on implementation actions given each country's existing power sector goals and activities and are an opportunity for countries to display leadership in power sector decarbonization. These action plans are voluntary, developed by each country individually, and can be viewed as a living document that is subject to change.

decarbonization↗

DOE OSTI2020

Workshop on Improving Holdup Monitoring in the US

The characterization and quantification of nuclear deposits, or residual nuclear material retained in process equipment, generally referred to as holdup, continues to challenge nuclear processing facilities in DOE program areas such as nuclear criticality safety, material control and accountability, environmental management. The efficiency and effectiveness of nuclear operations in these facilities depends heavily on the results from nondestructive techniques designed to measure nuclear materials in situ. The traditional methods used to measure holdup were established more than 30 years ago and assume unrealistic conditions for most measurement cases. These blind, in situ measurements present unique challenges due to the following attributes: unique, non-ideal geometries; unknown deposit thicknesses; lack of representative calibration standards; large number of holdup deposit locations; and poor accessibility for many measurement locations. These difficulties and the poor assumptions made to handle them have resulted in measurement uncertainties that are often too large for many programs to effectively utilize. In an effort to address and identify solutions to the current holdup challenges facing the US nuclear industry, Oak Ridge National Laboratory hosted the Technical Workshop on Improving Holdup Monitoring in the US. The two-day workshop held August 21–22, 2019, was attended by 35 holdup measurement practitioners, program managers, stakeholders from US Department of Energy sites, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and representatives from commercial industry. The primary objectives were to identify critical elements of a successful and defensible holdup measurement program; identify technical challenges, needs, and potential improvements associated with measurement of holdup; and share best practices and lessons learned from recent accumulation events. Fourteen presentations were delivered on holdup topics including necessary elements for effective program management, measurement needs, emerging technologies and other measurement solutions, and lessons learned from recent events. These presentations highlighted best practices related to accumulation monitoring, considerations and proactive steps to facilitate holdup in new facility designs, imaging solutions to improve holdup assumptions, and new software developed in support of holdup measurements. Breakout sessions were also employed to determine additional needs and identify potential solutions to common holdup challenges. The primary discussions focused on causes and prevention of material accumulations, needs for uranium and plutonium measurements, and reduction of measurement uncertainty, all of which were explicitly identified as critical needs during the 2018 Workshop on Technical and Programmatic Needs for a Sustainable NDA Program for the US DOE.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗