Nuclear Power Engineering Section
THE NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING SECTION is responsible for implementation of the Agency's sub-programme on Nuclear Power Plant Operating Performance and Life Cycle Management and Improving Organizational Performance.
Objectives
To increase Member State capabilities in utilizing good engineering and management practices developed and transferred by the Agency.
To enhance Member State capabilities for planning, implementation and/or expansion of nuclear power programmes, improving human performance and strengthening quality and technical infrastructure, consistent with global requirements on non-proliferation, safety and security, by utilizing good engineering and management practices developed and transferred by the Agency.
Expected Outputs (2006-2007)
- Factors and approaches that have helped in improving NPP performance in recent years and benchmark processes and long term strategies to assist, in the framework of a continuous process optimization, in a continuous improvement of overall NPPs performance and enhancement of safety within Member States.
- Guidance documents on specific aspects of reactor pressure vessel integrity assessment; verification of steam generator tube integrity; state of art methodologies for condition monitoring of nuclear power plant system, structure and components; ageing management methodologies; economics of plant licence renewal; and costs of decommissioning.
- Defined databases, e.g. Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), Country Nuclear Power Profiles (CNPP), Electronic Nuclear Training Center Catalogue (ENTRAC) and Nuclear Power Plant Economic Performance Indicators (NEPIS) and the possible creation of a new database for component reliability.
- A new series of Safety Standards on management systems and proceedings of a workshop on the application of effective management systems in nuclear installations and activities.
- TECDOCs addressing nuclear power planning covering infrastructure development, phased-out activities, project management and plant acquisition processes.
- Guidance and proven practices pertaining to attitudes and professionalism of NPP personnel, on effective methods for NPP personnel training, training and performance of NPP contractors, training for commissioning of NPPs, knowledge management, and quality management of NPP training programmes.


