Division of Nuclear Power
INTRODUCTION
The mission of the Division is to increase the capability of interested Member States to establish/develop, implement and maintain competitive and sustainable nuclear power programmes and to develop and apply advanced nuclear technologies.
PROGRAMME for 2008-2009
In 2008-2009 cycle, the mission of the Division of Nuclear Power is carried out under the following six subprogrammes:
- Integrated support for operating nuclear facilities
- Support for expansion of nuclear power plants
- Infrastructure and planning for the introduction of nuclear power programmes
- Coordination of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)
- Technology Development for Advanced Reactor Lines
- Support for Non-Electric Applications of Nuclear Power
RATIONALE
Enlarging the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology is a fundamental mandate for the Agency. This programme provides the core engineering, technological and management support to interested Member States in the field of nuclear power with special emphasis on the needs of developing countries. Three important goals have guided the formulation of priorities:
The first is to respond to the needs of interested Member States in improving their national nuclear power programmes and infrastructures and evaluate the need for possible replacement technology within the country. Those needs are especially important with regard to the performance and life management and optimization of nuclear power plants, including national decisions on the phase out of nuclear power and/or possible decommissioning. This will be through the provision of a worldwide pool of information and expertise on internationally accepted and proven engineering and management practices in all relevant areas, including technical and human performance improvement, change management, implementation of management systems and a total quality management approach to nuclear power plant operations.
The second is to act as a catalyst for innovation and to assist, as appropriate, in the resolution of scientific and technological issues in the area of nuclear power, including electricity generation and application for other uses such as desalination and hydrogen production. The Agency will coordinate research, promote information exchange and analyse technical data and results for various reactor lines (such as advanced water cooled reactors, high temperature gas cooled reactors, liquid metal cooled reactors and accelerator driven systems), and for innovative nuclear energy systems (INSs), including small and medium sized reactors (SMRs). The focus will be on supporting the establishment of nuclear power as a sustainable energy source for various applications, especially considering competitive economics, achieving very high levels of safety and proliferation resistance, effective use of resources and minimization of waste. The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) will provide a forum for the coordination of programmes in Member States on INS development and for system analysis of the future role of nuclear energy on a regional and global basis.
Finally, it is important to manage, preserve and further enhance nuclear expertise, knowledge and competence in support of Member States, and sustain the Agency’s unique position as the leading global international organization in the nuclear field. The Agency will continue to provide and update databases and knowledge supporting the optimization of performance, service life and infrastructure of nuclear power plants, and supporting advanced reactor technology development and applications in Member States. This approach will allow for the expansion of partnerships and exchange of information to facilitate the beneficial use of nuclear energy, including non-electrical applications.
UPCOMING MAJOR CONFERENCES
Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century (2009)
International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators (2009)
International Conference on Opportunities and Challenges for Water Cooled NPPs in the 21st Century (2009)
International Conference on Fast Reactors and Closed Fuel Cycle - Challenges and Opportunities (2009)
FOR FURTHER DETAILS
The Nuclear Power Engineering Section (NPES) and Nuclear Power Technology Development Section (NPTDS) under the Division of Nuclear Power are responsible for the implementation of the six sub-programmes. For further details on these sub-programmes please follow the links.
