U3O8$...0.00%|CCJ$...0.00%|OKLO$...0.00%|CEG$...0.00%|URA$...0.00%|URNM$...0.00%|NXE$...0.00%|U3O8$...0.00%|CCJ$...0.00%|OKLO$...0.00%|CEG$...0.00%|URA$...0.00%|URNM$...0.00%|NXE$...0.00%|
SECOND ATOMIC AGE

Beyond-Design-Basis Accident

Beyond-design-basis accident (BDBA) exceeds the plant's design-basis events, requiring additional safety features to prevent core damage or containment failure.

BDBAs include station blackout or multiple failures, addressed post-Fukushima via FLEX strategies and core cooling under extended loss of AC power. Mitigation targets maintaining water levels above active fuel and venting hydrogen. NRC orders post-2011 mandate BDBA coping for 72 hours using portable equipment.

Why it matters now

BDBA resilience drives 2025-2026 SMR certifications and restarts like Palisades, critical for investor confidence in data center power reliability. Focus on BDBA informs HALEU reactor safety cases.