1. NE 127 – Codes, Standards, and Regulations Power Industry Regulations
INSTRUCTOR: Chattanooga State CC

2. Topics of Discussion Steps in the Production of Electricity
Overview of Basic Power Plant Operation
Regulation of the Nuclear Power Industry
NRC History, Responsibilities, and Structure

3. Basic Energy Processes
Natural electrical energy cannot be harnessed
It must be converted from another energy source
Four steps in the production of electrical energy

4. Basic Energy Processes Continued
Step 1
(Fossil) Conversion of chemical energy into thermal energy (heat) through the burning of a fossil fuel (coal, oil, or gas)
(Nuclear) Conversion of nuclear energy into thermal energy by fission
Step 2
Absorption of thermal energy by water (conversion of water into steam)

5. Basic Energy Processes Continued
Step 3
(Fossil and nuclear) Conversion of thermal energy from steam into mechanical energy as steam jet spins turbine blades
(Hydro) Conversion of potential energy of water into mechanical energy as water spins turbine blades
Step 4
Conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy as rotation of turbine shaft rotates the shaft of the electrical generator, thereby producing electricity

7. Generic Coal Plant Schematic

8. Alternate Schematic

9. Detailed Schematic

10. Coal Plant Facts
In the 1920s coal plants had to burn 3 lbs of coal to produce 1 kW-hr of electricity
In the 1970s (time-frame for construction of many existing fossil plants), 1 lb of coal could produce 1 kW-hr of electricity due to improvements in plant efficiency
It takes ~11 lbs of air to burn 1 lb of coal
Slightly more air than required to ensure complete combustion
It takes ~1200 tons of water (300,000 gallons) to cool the exhaust steam from the burning of 1 ton of coal

11. Nuclear Plant Schematic

12. Alternate Nuclear Plant Schematic

13. Condenser: Common to Fossil and Nuclear Plants

14. Inspection of Turbine Blades

15. Regulation of Nuclear Power Industry
Due to potential (however slight) for a catastrophic nuclear incident, the U.S. nuclear industry is highly regulated
Title 10 of the CFR governs Energy regulations
Chapter 1 contains parts 1-199
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) is the regulating entity for those codes

16. History of the NRC
1942 – Enrico Fermi, professor at University of Chicago created first sustained nuclear chain reaction under the Chicago Stadium
Atomic Energy Act of 1946
Provided for the exclusive military use and control of nuclear energy
Atomic Energy Act of 1954
Allowed for the commercial use of nuclear energy
Created the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)

17. History of the NRC Continued
AEC Objectives
Promote the development of nuclear power
Regulate nuclear power
1974 – Energy Reorganization Act
Abolished the AEC which was seen as controversial
Created two organizations to perform original AEC objectives
Energy Resources Development Administration (ERDA)
NRC

18. History of the NRC Continued
ERDA
Renamed Department of Energy (DOE) in 1975
Governs the development of commercial applications of nuclear energy
NRC
Governs regulation of nuclear power

19. Three Mile Island, PA Occurred on March 28, 1979
Approximately half of reactor core melted
Generated fear of widespread radioactive contamination
No general evacuation was needed
Led to greater NRC emphasis on:
Operator training
“human factors” in plant performance
Emergency planning

20. NRC Responsibilities

21. More on NRC Responsibilities
Key licensing activities
Licensing the construction and operation of nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities, and overseeing their decommissioning
Licensing all facets of nuclear material
Licensing low-level and high-level waste disposal sites
Licensing operators of nuclear power and nonpower test and research reactors

22. More on NRC Responsibilities
Other key responsibilities
Inspection of licensed facilities and activities
Research on light-water reactor safety and identification of potential safety issues
Development, implementation, and enforcement of NRC regulations
Investigation of nuclear incidents and allegations
Conducting of public hearings

23. NRC Organization Headed by 5 Commissioners
Appointed by the President
Confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms
One Commissioner designated as Chairman
Principal executive officer
Official NRC spokesperson (currently Gregory B. Jaczko)
Role of Commission
Formulate policies
Develop regulations governing nuclear material safety and security
Issue orders to licensees
Adjudicate legal matters

24. NRC Organization Continued
*Note: NRC re-organized since the preparation of the red book
Inspector General (Hubert T. Bell) reports to Chairman
Executive Director for Operations (EDO)
Supervises and coordinates policy development of EDO staff and implements Commission policy directives
EDO Organization
Oversees 3 principle offices
Office for Reactor and Preparedness Programs
Office for Materials, Waste, Research, State, Tribal and Compliance Program
Office for Corporate Management

25. NRC Structure Continued
Office for Reactor and Preparedness Programs
Oversees:
Regional Offices (Regions I – IV)
Office of New Reactors
Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Responsible for ensuring public health and safety through licensing and inspection activities
Includes licensing of operators; emergency preparedness; facility security (including fitness for duty); inspection of component suppliers; licensing and renewal of operating licenses

26. NRC Structure Continued
Office for Materials, Waste, Research, State, Tribal and Compliance Program
Oversees:
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
Conducts own research and coordinates research with others (universities, those in the nuclear industry)
Studies risk
Office of Enforcement
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Develops and implements NRC policy for regulation of activities involving use and handling of radioactive materials, including the fuel itself, its transportation, and waste
Office of Investigations
Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs

27. NRC Structure Continued
Office for Corporate Management
Oversees:
Office of Information Services
Office of Administration
Computer Security Office

28. NRC Structure Continued
Direct Reports to the NRC Commission
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
Composed of administrative judges including lawyers, physicists, engineers, and environmental scientists
Conduct hearings for the Commission
Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication
Court of appeals

29. Next Time…
NRC Enforcement
CFRs for the Nuclear Power Industry