INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR DESALINATION ADVISORY GROUP (INDAG)

INDAG focuses on the application of nuclear energy to seawater desalination and its relevant technologies. This includes the areas of programme assessment and planning, research, development, design, construction, economics, safety aspects, international collaboration for demonstration projects, and operation and maintenance of nuclear desalination plants. The INDAG will coordinate its activities with other Agency programmes in areas of mutual interest, as well as with related activities of other international organizations, to avoid duplication of activities.

The main functions of INDAG are:

To provide advice and guidance and support implementation of the Agency's activities in nuclear desalination
To identify important topics for discussion at SAGNE and contribute to status reports, coordinated research projects, technical meetings and topical conferences in the field of nuclear desalination;
To provide a forum for the exchange of information on the progress of national and international programmes in this field;
To provide advice on preparatory action by Member States for implementing nuclear desalination demonstration projects.

Some of the recommendations from INDAG, regarding the 2002-2007 IAEA activities include:

Proposed that the Agency promote manpower development by making use of the Indian offer to train Engineers at Kalpakkam
Promote experimental studies, research, development and demonstration on the utilisation of waste heat from nuclear reactors, coupled to appropriate desalination systems
Launch and co-ordinate a new CRP on "Potable water production at co-generation nuclear plants with special reference to HTGRs (provisional title)", if significant interest is expressed by Member States
Continue data collection and processing on non-electrical applications at NPPs (Extended PRIS) and preparation of a technical document on extended PRIS tables (in cooperation with NPES)
Launch a new CRP on Socio-economic and environmental aspects of nuclear desalination; and proposed the continuation of CRP on " Economic Research on, and Assessment of, Selected Nuclear Desalination Projects and Case Studies" " until 2007
Supported the need for continued upgradation and validation of the Agency's software DEEP; continuation of Agency workshop on nuclear desalination technologies and economics
Recommended the Agency to look in-house for providing information on radiation monitoring systems for product water from a nuclear desalination complex

INDAG regularly publishes its Newsletter, providing information on the on-going programmes in member countries and enhanced transparency of its activities.

The previous INDAG meeting held (7-9 July 2004) and the next meeting to be held in February 2006.

MEMBERS STATES

Argentina
Canada
China
Egypt
France
India
Israel
Japan
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Morocco
Pakistan
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
United States of America