Next Generation Nuclear Plant: High-Level Functions and Requirements

The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) prepared a functions and requirements (F&R) document for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) Project [1] The highest-level functions and requirements for the NGNP Project design are identified in the F&R document, which establishes performance definitions to be achieved by the NGNP. The requirements for the NGNP are based on the Generation IV roadmap [2] goals. Based on these requirements, NGNP designs will be developed by commercial vendor(s). Of the six most promising Generation IV nuclear energy systems, the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) is the nearest-term reactor concept that also has the capability to efficiently produce hydrogen. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the VHTR as the concept to demonstrate the use of nuclear power for electricity and hydrogen production without greenhouse gas emissions. This paper reviews the NGNP Project and the selection of the VHTR, then presents the NGNP functions and requirements.