The thermal-hydraulic design of the OPEN100 uses nuclear, thermal, and hydraulic design analyses to set radial and axial power distribution specifications within the reactor. These specifications include limits to prevent a departure from nucleate boiling, set peaking factors, and heat transfer rates. Standard fuel assemblies result in axial pressure/temperature curves that match those in larger PWR plants but the smaller core diameter simplifies radial power control. Furthermore the OPEN100 core is operated a lower power density than a Standard PWR improving margin during transient events.