Practical Application of PSA Utility Experience and NRC Perspective

EPRI NP-5664 is a study based on interviews of personnel at 10 utilities and 15 NRC personnel regarding the usefulness of PSA (they use the term PRA - probabilistic risk assessment). The general utility motivation for using PSA is to demonstrate an acceptably low level of risk to the NRC. Some utilities applied PSA to individual systems, functions, or issues. These smaller [ir( grams served to train a PSA cadre and introduce PSA to other utility personnel and management. 

Submittal to NRC to obtain relief from specific backfit requirements. 

All utilities interviewed said the benefits were worth the cost. The benefits varied some utilities used their PSA to satisfy the NRC and have received few additional benefits since. Others have continuously used and continue to benefit from their PSA. Some utilities cited detrimental impacts of their PSA program which are presented below. 

Specific Direct Beneficial Impacts on Design and Operation 

Identification of hitherto unrecognized deficiencies in design or operation. 

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