Site Selection for New Nuclear Installations

INTRODUCTION

The current methodology for selecting the most advantageous site(s) for new nuclear installations (NNI), including but not limited to nuclear power plants (NPP), is based on the latest evolution of protocols originally established in the 1990’s by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and others for programs in the USA, and more recently by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), among others. The methodology includes protocols that account for lessons learned from both earlier site selection programs and the catastrophic event at Fukushima, Japan.[1]

METHODS

In general, the approach recommended by the IAEA[2] requires consideration of two types of criteria, Exclusionary or “fatal flaw” Criteria and Discretionary Criteria. Exclusionary Criteria relate to critical attributes for which there are no generally practicable engineering solutions. Sites must meet all of these Exclusionary Criteria to be considered for NNI development. Next, the remaining potential sites are evaluated with respect to Discretionary Criteria, for which engineering solutions can be developed. Finally, Ranking Criteria, which may be economic or strategic in nature, are applied to the potential sites to better differentiate between closely ranked sites. Ranking Criteria are the concern of the proponent rather than the regulator.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The site selection process provides a quantitative methodology for comparing widely varying types of criteria. Generally, final site selection requires balancing of factors, expert judgment, and proponent input, as sites being compared will differ in their scores associated with specific Discretionary Criteria and Ranking Criteria, although the final summed scores may be similar. Application of sensitivity analyses is discussed as a framework to provide more accurate, site-specific and quantitative characterization of potential sites.

The process offers flexibility for siting nuclear installations other than nuclear power plants, by utilizing the graded approach. The graded approach considers potential radiological and non-radiological hazards in determining the relative importance of different criteria to these types of installations.

The Shivta-Rogem site for a potential nuclear power plant in Israel was identified over 20 years ago by evaluating a limited number of exclusionary criteria. This site will be discussed in terms of the current methodology and criteria expected to be evaluated. Examples of the application of site selection methodology to sites in other countries will also be presented, including a site identified for a Small Modular Reactor.

This paper discusses the overall approach for site selection; reviews the major issues, events, phenomena and hazards which must be considered; describes the graded approach which applies to a broad range of nuclear installations, and presents selected case studies of siting studies.

[1] The author acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Energy.

[2] International Atomic Energy Agency, 2015, Site survey and site selection for nuclear installations. Safety Standards Series No. SSG-35, STI/PUB/1690, ISBN-978-92-0-102415-2.