4 Implementation of a framework of incremental technical exchanges with ASN and IRSN In order to optimise preparations for any creation authorisation applications for these innovative reactor projects, and in order to mobilise resources proportionate to the level of maturity of each project, a four-phase framework of incremental technical exchanges was set up. PHASE 1 Screening phase During a first meeting, the project developer is asked to present the following to ASN: ∙the main characteristics of its reactor project (technology, power, form of energy output, front and back ends of the “fuel cycle”, etc.), ∙the state of progress of the reactor design and its safety case, ∙the development schedule of its project, ∙the current technical and financial capacity of the company developing the project, along with its growth plan (calls for funds and staffing). At the end of this prospective contact, ASN assesses the maturity of the project as a whole, with regard to the following three elements: ∙Minimum maturity of the technical project: the project developer has an initial complete and stabilised conceptual design of its project. ∙Project developer’s capacity to conduct technical exchanges: the project developer has a sufficient in-house technical team to be able to carry out technical exchanges with ASN on all the technical topics associated with the safety case of its reactor. ∙Minimum financial security of the project developer: the company developing the project has sufficient financial guarantees for medium-term development. If the overall maturity of the project does not appear sufficient to initiate a preparatory review, the project developer is asked to continue with development before contacting ASN again. PHASE 2 Project preparatory review Once project maturity is considered to be sufficient with respect to the three above- mentioned criteria, a cycle of thematic technical meetings is scheduled. This aim of this cycle of meetings is to enable ASN to obtain a clear overview of the project, through presentations and technical dialogue, to understand the design choices, to take stock of the state of knowledge available or to be acquired, and to understand the main safety guidelines the project developer intends to follow in order to establish and justify its safety case. A summary seminar may be organised to close this cycle of meetings. This phase is simply an exchange of information in preparation for future examinations. No opinion or decision is expressed on the project at this stage by ASN. PHASE 3 Preliminary review of the fundamental safety options of the project Pursuant to Article R.593-14 of the Environment Code, before finalising the detailed design of its reactor, the project developer that intends to apply for a creation authorisation procedure can then ask ASN for its opinion on some or all of the fundamental aspects of its project. With regard to these innovative reactor projects, ASN recommends that the project developers take advantage of this pre-licensing step. This step enables initial technical assessments to be started and enables the positions of the regulator to be obtained on a jointly agreed list of identified high-stakes subjects highlighted during the preparatory review phase. PHASE 4 Review of the creation authorisation application Finally, once the detailed design of the reactor project is ready, submission of a creation authorisation application can be envisaged. This phase represents a new step in the increasing commitment of resources by ASN. Following the complete technical evaluation of the project, there will also be an evaluation of the characteristics of the planned site and a programme of inspections of the applicant, who acquires the de facto status of licensee, notably with the aim of checking its management system and its ability to manage subcontracting. TABLE 3 Status of technical exchanges between the SMR project developers, ASN and IRSN as at 31 December 2024 Project Prospective follow-up Preparatory review Preliminary examination (safety options) Review of the creation authorisation application Nuward File withdrawn(*) Calogena In progress(**) Otrera x Hexana x Jimmy In progress(***) Blue Capsule x Newcleo Completed Naarea Completed Stellaria x Thorizon In progress * On 12 September 2024, EDF withdrew its request for an opinion on the safety options of the Nuward SMR. ** On 31 October 2024, the Calogena company submitted a request to ASN for its opinion on a part of the safety options chosen for its CAL30 SMR project. *** On 3 May 2024, filing of a creation authorisation decree application for construction of a reactor designed to provide industrial heat to a plant of the Cristal Union Group, located on the Bazancourt site (51). ASN has completed the file acceptability analysis. The action subsequent to this analysis is being reviewed by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Mission. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2024 329 01 The emergence of small modular reactor projects 11 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 12 13 14 15 AP
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