Nuclear Power Technology Development Section
How NPTDS ensures that its work is relevant
On selected topics, NPTDS periodically informs the IAEA's Board of Governors and General Conference, and incorporates feedback into its programmes. To ensure that its work fully reflects the interests of Member States, the Section has established Technical Working Groups (TWGs) for each major reactor type, and the International Nuclear Desalination Advisory Group (INDAG).
The TWGs and INDAG are standing technical groups with members who are leading representatives of national programmes. Most of the members are from governmental organizations and all are nominated by their governments, thus providing review and guidance directly from Member States. Other international organizations, such as the European Commission and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, are also invited to send representatives to facilitate co-ordination with their programmes.
The standing technical working groups meet every one to two years and provide recommendations on formulating the IAEA's programmes and activities. At the meetings, members review and discuss national development programmes, progress of activities, key issues, and proposals for future activities. Recommendations are made for activities to be incorporated in the IAEA's programme and budget. Following IAEA approval, the activities are implemented with the support of the technical group working members.
The scope of the TWGs is broad, integrating the application of advanced technologies in all aspects of reactor development, deployment and operation. Some specific topics are addressed in more depth in other international organizations and elsewhere within the IAEA, for example within the frameworks of the TWG on Nuclear Power Plant Control and Instrumentation (TWG-NPPCI), the TWG on Water Reactor Fuel Performance and Technology (TWG-FPT), and the TWG on Life Management of Nuclear Power Plants (TWG-LMNPP). The Section keeps abreast of such work to avoid unproductive overlap, and coordinates activities with other IAEA projects, and with related activities of other international organizations where appropriate.