Nuclear Power Technology Development Section
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT ON INNOVATIVE NUCLEAR REACTORS AND FUEL CYCLES (INPRO)
Coordination with GIF
INPRO and the IAEA work together with the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) to create synergy and to avoid overlap:
- By sending experts to the GIF Policy Group and to GIF working groups (Risk and Safety, Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection, Evaluation Modelling);
- By reviewing each other’s documents, such as the evaluation methodologies, as appropriate;
- By organizing regular coordination meetings.
|
| IAEA/INPRO/GIF coordination meeting, 2008 |
The differences between INPRO and GIF include the following:
- Mission and activities: GIF is primarily focused on R&D of nuclear technology to meet global needs. INPRO has a broad variety of missions and activities, including providing a forum for experts on necessary innovation in nuclear energy, developing a methodology to assess innovative nuclear systems, providing common user considerations for the deployment of nuclear power in developing countries, and facilitating international cooperation on technological issues.
- Membership: GIF membership is limited to those countries that can bring substantial resources and expertise to its R&D programmes, whereas INPRO members include both developed and developing countries. INPRO is open to all IAEA Member States. Currently, all members of GIF are also members of INPRO.
The complementary nature of INPRO and GIF and the potential for creating synergies on nuclear technology development have been recognized by both organizations. GIF focuses on R&D and a methodology for system development, and INPRO covers (1) the assessment methodology, (2) infrastructure and institutional aspects, and (3) assistance to Member States for Collaborative Projects. INPRO combines both technology holders and users, and takes into account the particular needs of developing countries.