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International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)

History

Establishment of INPRO in 2001

The 21^st century will have the most competitive, globalized markets in human history, the most rapid pace of technological change ever, and the greatest expansion of energy use, particularly in developing countries. As IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said at the 50^th IAEA General Conference, in September 2006, technological and institutional innovation is a key factor in ensuring the benefit from the use of nuclear energy for sustainability.

The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was initiated in 2001, on the basis of a resolution of the IAEA General Conference in 2000 [GC(44)/RES/21]. INPRO activities have since been continuously endorsed by resolutions of the IAEA General Conferences and by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

INPRO provides an open international forum for studying nuclear energy options, the associated requirements and the potential deployment of innovative nuclear energy systems in IAEA Member States. INPRO helps to make available knowledge that supports informed decision-making during the development and deployment of innovative nuclear energy systems and assists Member States in the coordination of related Collaborative Projects.

INPRO’s initial activity (Phase 1, 2001–2006) focused on the development of an assessment methodology to be used for screening an innovative nuclear system (INS), for comparing different INSs to find a preferred one consistent with the sustainable development of a given State and for identifying R&D needs.

The INPRO methodology, tested for consistency and completeness, has been published and documented in two IAEA Technical Documents, Methodology for the Assessment of Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (IAEA-TECDOC-1434) and Guidance for the Evaluation of Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (IAEA-TECDOC-1362). An additional User’s Manual, consisting of an overview volume plus a separate volume for each INPRO area of assessment, is in preparation to provide additional guidance on applying the INPRO methodology.