ACR-1000® Pre-Project Regulatory Review Progress

Abstract

The ACR-1000® developed by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a 1200 MWe-class light-water-cooled, heavy-water-moderated pressure-tube reactor, which has evolved from the well-established CANDU line of reactors. The ACR-1000 design retains the basic, proven, CANDU design features while incorporating innovations and state-of-the-art technologies to ensure fully competitive safety, operation, performance and economics. Improvements include greater operating and safety margins plus adherence and compliance with the latest safety objectives of designing with due consideration to external events and risk assessment. AECL initiated a pre-project regulatory review of the ACR-1000 reactor design by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to confirm compliance with regulatory requirements and also incorporate regulatory feedback in the design process to minimize regulatory risks in obtaining construction and operating licences. Regulatory pre-project reviews have also been conducted earlier in the UK and US to ensure that the ACR design is compliant with international regulatory requirements.