The remainder of NRC staff’s review of the design will begin once the company provides additional details on a key safety topic.
The company submitted its application January 1 for the design, in which the reactor building holds up to six co-located pressurized-water reactor modules. The modules use natural, “passive” processes such as convection and gravity in operating systems and safety features.
The staff has determined portions of the application, discussing steam generator safety performance under certain conditions, require additional information. Once NuScale provides that information, the staff will develop a full review schedule.
A standard design approval is a determination by the NRC staff that a reactor design meets applicable NRC design requirements. Companies can reference a standard design approval when applying for a license to build and operate a reactor in the United States.