Sargent & Lundy’s Thomas Mohr will present a methodology developed with colleagues assessing potential vulnerabilities at nuclear installations during an International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna, Oct. 20-24.
The inaugural International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations Against External Events From a Safety Perspective – Focus on Climate Change, brings nuclear power professionals from around the world to discuss the safety and resilience of nuclear facilities. During the four-day conference, Mohr will discuss “A System-Based Approach to Assessing Nuclear Power Plant Climate Vulnerability,” a methodology created with Sargent & Lundy colleagues Pawel Kut and Jack Valenti to assess the likely impact on plant operating systems, structures, and components from climate extremes.
The methodology, developed in response to guidance from the Electric Power Research Institute and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, assesses potential vulnerabilities based on climate projections for the next 10 years. Sargent & Lundy performed evaluations at 13 nuclear sites in accordance with required INPO Climate Vulnerability Assessments and determined potential risks for about 100 pieces of equipment from climate impacts possibly resulting in excess temperature limits for reactor cooling heat sinks, containment areas, and components. The higher temperatures also increase risks for the encroachment of invasive water plants, wildfires, and depleted groundwater aquifers.
Sargent & Lundy provided specific response prioritization recommendations for the systems, structures, and components with potential vulnerabilities based on current conditions and for the future in evaluating each plant.