United States NRC Modernization Efforts to Enable the Safe Use of Digital Instrumentation and Controls in Nuclear Power Plant Safety Systems

Abstract In the United States (U.S.), licensees for operating nuclear power reactors and applicants for new and advanced reactor designs are pursuing the effective and efficient use of digital technologies for their instrumentation and control (I&C) systems. As such, it is necessary that the U.S. regulatory infrastructure for the safe implementation of digital I&C (DI&C) technology in nuclear power reactors is clear and efficient. Over the past few years, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff, in collaboration with nuclear industry stakeholders, has extensively modernized its DI&C regulatory infrastructure to enable the safe and secure use of DI&C technology in nuclear power plant safety systems and components. This paper will describe the NRC’s vision for a modernized DI&C regulatory infrastructure and the significant accomplishments from recent years to improve the clarity and reliability of the DI&C regulatory infrastructure. This paper will also describe ongoing regulatory improvement activities as well as ongoing and planned NRC staff research efforts related to the use of new technologies in nuclear power plant safety systems.