1. CEN WS064 Design and Construction Codes for Gen II to IV nuclear facilities – Code Evolution & pre-normative research proposals – paradigm shift for qualification and deployment of materials & components

New advanced nuclear reactors are expected to have an important role to combat global warming. These reactors types will operate at higher temperatures; have more aggressive coolants such as liquid lead or molten salt, and also higher irradiation levels. In addition to the highest safety levels and waste minimization, the reactors need to be commercially competitive, operate in a more flexible mode and often co-generate heat and electricity. Most designs will be modular and smaller than today’s reactors. Nuclear design codes such as RCC-MRx and ASME BPV are essential to ensure that reactors are designed and constructed in accordance with best engineering principles but need to evolve continuously to account for new requirements and scientific and technical developments. The CEN-WS064 is a European project that brings together different stakeholders from more than 20 European organizations (reactor designers, research, component manufacturers, utilities) with the objective to propose RCC-MRx code evolutions and associated pre-normative research. The starting point is the stakeholders’ needs and priorities to be matched with the philosophy of the code. A variety of topics have been or are being addressed now: design rules for innovative coolants; introducing components from advanced manufacturing methods; introducing new materials; extending the temperature range, methods for accelerated qualifications; inclusion of machine learning and artificial intelligence; 60+ years design life. The presentation will give a brief overview of the CEN-WS064 structure and process; some finalized code evolutions and research proposal will be described and topics presently being worked on will also be discussed.