USNRC Approval Improves Access to Studsvik’s CMS5 Software

Operators of pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants in the U.S. will have easier access to Studsvik Scandpower’s state-of-the-art nuclear fuel analysis technology following approval by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of a generic license for Studsvik’s Core Management System 5 (CMS5).

Studsvik filed its application with the NRC in December 2015. “Pursuing the generic license required a significant financial investment, and the dedication over several years by our exceptional nuclear and technology engineering staff,” said Steven Freel, president of Studsvik Scandpower. “The effort was an investment by Studsvik in its customers and the industry.”

CMS5 is used by nuclear operators to design the nuclear fuel and reactor core loading for their nuclear power plants. It also serves as the “base code” for a series of functional extensions developed by Studsvik that allow operators to analyze and plan all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle.

Through Studsvik’s application for a generic license, the NRC was able to conduct a single review of the CMS5 technology, instead of requiring individual applications from each operator, resulting in time consuming and expensive multiple reviews with only minor differences. The CMS5 generic license is applicable to every type of PWR fuel.

Freel noted that, without the generic license, processing an individual application with the NRC can cost a utility more than $500,000. The generic license is classified by the NRC as a “generally approved method” requiring an operator to send the NRC a letter of notification 90 days prior to its first use of CMS5. Studsvik is establishing a program to assist its customers during implementation with training, guidance and ongoing code updates

A leading U.S. nuclear utility supported Studsvik’s application by drawing on operating data from its fleet of nuclear power plants. Its support included using its expertise in the NRC licensing process, developing statistical analysis methodologies, and comparing the results of computer models with data from its operating nuclear plants.

“Studsvik is especially grateful for this support,” said Freel. “Our receipt of a generic license for CMS5 is a significant achievement within the industry. It highlights the benefits of partnerships between utilities and the companies that support them. Operators and their suppliers are stronger when they work together.”

For further information please contact:

Brandon Haugh
Director of Innovation and Special Projects
Senior Nuclear Engineer
Studsvik Scandpower
Office:   +1 910.777.2564
Mobile: +1 760.994.8469
brandon.haugh@studsvik.com

About Studsvik Scandpower
Studsvik Scandpower AB, GmBH, and Inc., are part of Studsvik AB (STO: SVIK) with its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Since before the first nuclear power plant began generating electricity more than 60 years ago, Studsvik has provided the tools, analysis and technology to optimize the performance of nuclear fuel and reactors, and manage the nuclear fuel cycle. Today, it supports more than 200 commercial nuclear power plants around the world. Studsvik Scandpower has offices in the United States, Germany, Sweden, China and Japan. Information is available at: www.studsvik.com/scandpower