Collaborative Projects
Global Architecture of Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems Based on Thermal and Fast Reactors Including a Closed Fuel Cycle (GAINS)
FINAL DRAFT REPORT
The final report of the GAINS Collaborative Project has been approved by the IAEA Publications Committee in July 2012. Entitled “Framework for Assessing Dynamic Nuclear Energy Systems for Sustainability”, the report will be published in the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series, once the standard IAEA publications process will be completed.
The Final Draft Report can be downloaded here.
It is intended for INPRO Members’ advance information, but not for general, wider circulation.
SUMMARY
Quantification of the key aspects characterising the nuclear energy systems and corresponding fuel cycle options that can be implemented during the 21st Century are essential feasibility studies to achieve nuclear energy evolution according to sustainable development. Estimation of the nuclear energy needs along the century at global and regional levels, not geographic, are the initial step of this Collaborative Project (CP). A second important aspect is the establishment and analysis of different nuclear energy systems, considered as dynamic in terms of the interactions between the components themselves (fuel cycle installations) and using their available technologies. This analysis is intended to satisfy the nuclear energy needs identified in the previous step. A third important aspect is the consideration of analytical tools used for determining the nuclear energy needs and for modelling nuclear energy systems, identifying the needs of development. Standard process definition, key parameters for the comparisons, development needs and results provided by the existing analytical tools are part of the main goals of the project.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE
Develop a standard framework (methodological platform, assumptions and boundary conditions) for assessing nuclear energy systems regarding sustainable development, covering from the existing systems to the innovative ones potentially deployed in the 21st Century, and validate its results via sample analyses.
PURPOSE OF THE CP (SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES)
To develop and apply a reference process for modelling nuclear energy systems having potential for deployment along the 21st century at global and regional levels, taking into account the expected demand and providing initial results.
The specific elements constituting this purpose include the following:
- Process definition
- Estimation of nuclear energy demand during the century, using global and regional considerations
- Agreement on the most relevant indicators to assess NES (reactor&fuel cycles) regarding sustainable development
- Identification of a representative set of NES to be analysed in the study
- Evaluation of the existing analytical tools for modelling NES and establishment of a specification to improve such tools
- Modelling of the identified set of NES with the existing analytical tools
- Evaluation of the results obtained from modelling based on the indicators agreed
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- A framework process for analysing nuclear energy systems regarding sustainable development, taking into account its deployment at global and regional levels
- Documentation on major assumptions used in the analysis, including estimations of expected nuclear energy demand during the 21st century at the global and regional levels
- Set of nuclear energy systems having potential for significant deployment in the 21st century as part of a global INS architecture
- Representative list of parameters and corresponding [initial] values to characterize the components considered in the nuclear energy systems
- Quantified indicators (initial results) for the set of nuclear energy systems for deployment scenarios assessed in the study
- Specification to improve the existing analytical tools necessary to perform the analysis and evaluations covered by this CP
PARTICIPANTS
Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Ukraine, United States and the IAEA as Scientific Secretary. Observers: Italy. The members of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the CP are highlighted in italics.
The implementation plan and other aspects of this CP are described in the Terms of Reference.
 |
| Signature of the CP GAINS Terms of Reference. July, 2008 |
MATERIALS DEVELOPED DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COLLABORATIVE PROJECT "GAINS"