Les cahiers de l'ASN #01 - Nuclear power plants: going beyond 40 years

A n exceptional review means exceptional consultation procedures! In 2016, ASN expressed its wish to see the public involved in the drafting of its position on the “major objectives” defined by EDF. This approach is continuing with regard to the preparation of its generic opinion which will concern all the 900 MWe reactors, which it intends to publish in 2020. The HCTISN* therefore hoped that the public would be extensively involved throughout the consultation period, which will last six months, until the spring of 2019. The public will be able to hold discussions with experts from EDF, ASN and IRSN* during public meetings, ask them questions and access on- line information on a platform specially created for this consultation. The public will be asked to help determine the priorities for the safety improvement debates, on the basis of 15 topics defined by EDF in its objectives response memorandum (NRO). For the HCTISN*: “Consultation will be a success if it leads to new proposals as part of the examination of the continued operation of the plants concerned” . Finally, for each NPP, a public inquiry will be held in order to obtain the opinions and questions of all parties regarding the improvements planned by EDF in its conclusions report. Consultation and public inquiry ASN regularly consults the public about its draft resolutions. The consultation process regarding the periodic safety reviews, in which ASN takes part, is placed under the auspices of the HCTISN*, with the presence of two guarantors*. What is the purpose? To make information accessible and collect the public’s opinion on-line and during the local consultation meetings to be organised. The objectives response memorandum (NRO) The NRO proposed by the NPPs licensee (EDF) defines priorities for the periodic safety review step. Some of the priorities identified as contributing to improved safety for the facilities commissioned 40 years ago entail changes that are essential: • deal with large-scale natural hazards (heat wave, intense cold, fire, flooding, etc.); • be able to cool the contents of the spent fuel pool in all circumstances, through redundant back-up systems or the creation of lighter, more mobile systems; • be able to cool the corium*, the fuel residue created in the event of a core melt (in other words a severe accident); • make improvements for the management of accident situations. * See glossary p.24 16 • Les cahiers de l’ASN • September 2018