The Transition to Risk-Informed Performance-Based: Opportunities and Challenges

The U.S. nuclear industry is currently in the middle of a historic shift towards the utilization of risk-informed performance-based (RIPB) design and licensing approaches. Moving from a supporting role, RIPB methods are now leading key reactor decision-making. Such methods permit flexibility and encourage consistency between the plant’s risk profile and appropriate design and licensing actions. However, RIPB approaches are not without their difficulties, including the need for detailed probabilistic assessments and addressing a lack of historic precedent in many areas. This panel explores the current transition to RIPB approaches, including efforts that are currently underway, plans for the future, and hurdles to overcome.