Training Course for Using the Results of the International Generic Ageing Lessons Learned Programme

Background

More than two-thirds of the world’s operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) are over 30 years old and it is increasingly recognized that there are economic and environmental benefits in continuing to operate these plants beyond their originally planned lifetimes. This brings an increased interest in, and need for, experience exchange and sharing for ageing management of structures, systems and components of NPPs to ensure that they are capable of fulfilling their safety functions.

The IAEA supports Member States in implementation of ageing management through the publication of related safety standards, providing safety review services to assist in the application of these standards and facilitating information exchange through the coordination of the International Generic Ageing Lessons Learned (IGALL) extrabudgetary programme.

The IGALL programme has been running since 2010 with the objective to develop and maintain a general framework for effectively collecting experience and lessons learned on NPP ageing management. The programme facilitates the exchange of experience accumulated in Member States with regard to the identification, establishment, implementation and improvement of ageing management of NPPs.

At the end of IGALL Phase 6, the Steering Committee of the IGALL programme requested the IAEA to develop and organize IGALL training courses on how to use IGALL results by the Member States in the development, implementation and revision of ageing management programmes and time limited ageing analyses of specific structures, systems and components. The first training course will take place in 11-14 February 2025.

 The training covers:

• The relevant IAEA Safety Standards;
• General aspects of ageing and ageing management;
• Use of IGALL programme documents with examples;
• Transfer of experience from experts using IGALL in their practice; and
• Exercises on using the IGALL results.

Objectives

The objectives of the event are to inform and train nuclear professionals to extend their knowledge on specific aspects of ageing and ageing management by using IGALL results and documents.

Target Audience

This event is intended for ageing management experts from NPPs, technical support organizations or nuclear safety authorities of the Member States.

Participation

Nomination of those experts will be accepted who have role and responsibility in development, implementation or oversight of ageing management in nuclear power plants.

In order to be designated by an IAEA Member State, participants are requested to send the Participation Form (Form A) to their competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) for onward transmission to the IAEA by 29 November 2024.  This deadline has now passed, however we will continue to allow participants who process their Form A and have it sent through official channels until the middle of January.  Form C's (requests for financial support) will no longer be accepted due to administrative processing.

Selected participants will be informed in due course on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters.

Venue

The event will be held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), where the IAEA’s Headquarters are located. Participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

Participants are advised to arrive at Checkpoint 1/Gate 1 of the VIC one hour before the start of the event on the first day in order to allow for timely registration. Participants will need to present an official photo identification document in order to be admitted to the VIC premises