NRC to hold workshop on improving realism in probabilistic risk assessment

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a two-day public workshop September 30-October 1 to discuss efforts to improve realism in probabilistic risk assessment. The hybrid workshop, which will be held in person and online, will focus on enhancing risk-informed decision-making for nuclear power plants by making PRA models more realistic and reflective of reactor design, operations, and real-world behavior.

The NRC said PRA is a key tool the agency uses to assess plant safety by estimating the likelihood and consequences of potential accidents. The workshop will highlight ongoing efforts to improve realism and will discuss topics such as operating experience, external hazards, and human reliability analysis.

ANS position: The American Nuclear Society supports the application of risk-informed, performance-based methods where appropriate for ongoing design and licensing activities, as such approaches will assure protection of public health and safety in the most effective, efficient, and transparent manner. See ANS Position Statement #46, Risk-Informed and Performance-Based Regulations for Nuclear Power Plants, for more.

Getting involved: The NRC is encouraging participation by stakeholders, saying the discussions will provide valuable input into the agency's collaborative efforts to improve reactor safety through more accurate risk modeling.

For more information, visit the NRC website. Visitors who want to attend in person must email Michelle Gonzalez at [email protected] to register and arrange access to NRC facilities.