The IAEA’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juergen Kupitz
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
International Collaboration ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
International Project ◽  
Nuclear Technology ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Member States ◽  
Unique Role ◽  
Fuel Cycles

This paper presents the IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO). It defines its rationale, key objectives and specifies the organizational structure. The IAEA General Conference (2000) has invited “all interested Member States to combine their efforts under the aegis of the Agency in considering the issues of the nuclear fuel cycle, in particular by examining innovative and proliferation-resistant nuclear technology” (GC(44)/RES/21) and invited Member States to consider to contribute to a task force on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycle (GC(44)/RES/22). In response to this invitation, the IAEA initiated an “International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles”, INPRO. The Terms of Reference for INPRO were adopted at a preparatory meeting in November 2000, and the project was finally launched by the INPRO Steering Committee in May 2001. At the General Conference in 2001, first progress was reported, and the General Conference adopted a resolution on “Agency Activities in the Development of Innovative Nuclear Technology” [GC(45)/RES/12, Tab F], giving INPRO a broad basis of support. The resolution recognized the “unique role that the Agency can play in international collaboration in the nuclear field”. It invited both “interested Member States to contribute to innovative nuclear technology activities” at the Agency as well as the Agency itself “to continue it’s efforts in these areas”. Additional endorsement came in a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2001 (UN GA 2001, A/RES/56/94), that again emphasized “the unique role that the Agency can play in developing user requirements and in addressing safeguards, safety and environmental questions for innovative reactors and their fuel cycles” and stressed “the need for international collaboration in the development of innovative nuclear technology”. As of February 2002, the following countries or entities have become members of INPRO: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey and the European Commission. In total, 15 cost-free experts have been nominated by their respective governments or international organizations. The objective of INPRO is to support the safe, sustainable, economic and proliferation resistant use of nuclear technology to meet the global energy needs of the 21st century. Phase I of INPRO was initiated in May 2001. During Phase I, work is subdivided in two subphases: Phase IA (in progress): Selection of criteria and development of methodologies and guidelines for the comparison of different concepts and approaches, taking into account the compilation and review of such concepts and approaches, and determination of user requirements. Phase IB (to be started after Phase IA is completed): Examination of innovative nuclear energy technologies made available by Member States against criteria and requirements. This examination will be co-ordinated by the Agency and performed with participatio of Member States on the basis of the user requirements and methodologies established in Phase IA. In the first phase, six subject groups were established: Resources, Demand and User requirements for Economics; User requirements for the Environment, Fuel cycle and Waste; User requirements for Safety; User requirements for Non-proliferation; User requirements for crosscutting issues; Criteria and Methodology.

Development Trends in Nuclear Technology and Related Safety Aspects

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kuczera ◽  
P. E. Juhn ◽  
K. Fukuda
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Nuclear Technology ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
High Level

The IAEA Safety Standards Series include, in a hierarchical manner, the categories of Safety Fundamentals, Safety Requirements and Safety Guides, which define the elements necessary to ensure the safety of nuclear installations. In the same way as nuclear technology and scientific knowledge advance continuously, also safety requirements may change with these advances. Therefore, in the framework of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) one important aspect among others refers to user requirements on the safety of innovative nuclear installations, which may come into operation within the next fifty years. In this respect, the major objectives of the INPRO subtask “User Requirements and Nuclear Energy Development Criteria in the Area of Safety” have been: a. to overview existing national and international requirements in the safety area, b. to define high level user requirements in the area of safety of innovative nuclear technologies, c. to compile and to analyze existing innovative reactor and fuel cycle technology enhancement concepts and approaches intended to achieve a high degree of safety, and d. to identify the general areas of safety R&D needs for the establishment of these technologies. During the discussions it became evident that the application of the defence in depth strategy will continue to be the overriding approach for achieving the general safety objective in nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities, where the emphasis will be shifted from mitigation of accident consequences more towards prevention of accidents. In this context, four high level user requirements have been formulated for the safety of innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles. On this basis safety strategies for innovative reactor designs are highlighted in each of the five levels of defence in depth and specific requirements are discussed for the individual components of the fuel cycle.

The Status of the IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) and the Ongoing Activities of the Phase 1B of INPRO

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Steur ◽  
Frank Depisch ◽  
Juergen Kupitz
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
International Project ◽  
Member States ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
The Status ◽  
Phase 1B ◽  
Technology Users

The IAEA General Conference in 2000 has invited “all interested Member States to combine their efforts under the aegis of the Agency in considering the issues of the nuclear fuel cycle, in particular by examining innovative and proliferation-resistant nuclear technology”. In response to this invitation, the IAEA initiated an “International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles” (INPRO). The overall objectives of INPRO are to help to ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute in fulfilling in a sustainable manner energy needs in the 21st century, and to bring together all interested Member States, both technology holders and technology users, to consider jointly the international and national actions required to achieve desired innovations in nuclear reactors and fuel cycles that use sound and economically competitive technology. In the first phase of the project the report “Guidance for the evaluation of innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles” has been published. (June 2003, IAEA tecdoc 1362, Report of Phase 1A) In the following phase member states are contributing by case studies to validate the methodology for assessment and to evaluate the application of the basic principles, requirements and criteria. The paper will shortly summarize the main findings of the published report in the following fields (a) Prospects and Potentials of Nuclear Power, (b) Economics; (c) Sustainability and Environment, (d) Safety of Nuclear Installations, (e) Waste Management, (f) Proliferation Resistance, (g) Crosscutting issues and (h) the Methodology for Assessment. Further on the paper will deal with the actual phase of INPRO and the ongoing activities.

The Methodology for Innovative Nuclear Technology Evaluation

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kagramanian ◽  
A. Garmash
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Nuclear Technology ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Technology Evaluation ◽  
Material Flows ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Institutional Issues ◽  
Term Objective

Other papers in this INPRO session address the possible user requirements for nuclear reactors and fuel cycles that might be applicable in the middle of this century. Each paper has dealt with a certain category of user requirements — safety, proliferation resistance, environmental impacts and material flows, and the broader infrastructure and institutional issues. These user requirements will need to be elaborated in terms of specific criteria applicable to the options and alternatives to be evaluated in different countries. A systematic approach to applying these criteria will also be required. Current technology assessment methods, however, are unlikely to be perfectly suited to the longer-term objective of establishing the directions, which will encourage the innovation we are seeking for the middle of this century. This paper will therefore identify methodological adjustments and extensions appropriate for this longer-term objective and present a possible “top down” approach for creating the necessary methodology.

Framework for Assessing Transition Scenarios to Sustainable Nuclear Energy Systems

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Fesenko ◽  
Vladimir Kuznetsov ◽  
Vladimir Usanov
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Material Flow ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Member States ◽  
Fuel Cycles

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was established in 2000 with the goal to ensure a sustainable nuclear energy supply to meet the global energy needs in the 21st century. The INPRO activities on global and regional nuclear energy scenarios provide newcomers and mature nuclear countries alike with better understanding of options for making a collaborative transition to future sustainable nuclear energy systems. Collaborative project GAINS (Global Architecture of Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems Based on Thermal and Fast Reactors Including a Closed Fuel Cycle) developed an internationally verified analytical framework for assessing such transition scenarios. The framework (hereafter, GAINS framework) is a part of the integrated services provided by IAEA to Member States considering initial development or expansion of their nuclear energy programmes. The paper presents major elements of the analytical framework and selected results of its application, including: • Long-term nuclear energy demand scenarios based on the IAEA Member States’ high and low estimations of nuclear power deployment until 2030 and expected trends until 2050 and on forecasts of competent international energy organizations; • Heterogeneous world model comprised of groups of non-personified non-geographical countries (NGs) with different policy regarding nuclear fuel cycle back end; • Architectures of nuclear energy systems; • Metrics and tools for the assessment of dynamic nuclear energy system evolution scenarios regarding sustainability, including a set of key indicators and evaluation parameters; • An internationally verified database with best estimate material flow and economic characteristics of existing and advanced nuclear reactors and associated nuclear fuel cycles needed for material flow analysis and comparative economic analysis, extending the previously developed IAEA databases and taking into account preferences of different countries; • Selected results of sample analysis for scenarios involving transition from the present fleets of nuclear reactors and fuel cycles to future sustainable nuclear energy system architectures involving innovative technological solutions.

IAEA INPRO Project: A Vision of How to Meet the Opportunities and Challenges of Large-Scale Nuclear Energy Development

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khoroshev ◽  
F. Depisch ◽  
S. Subbotin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Supply ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
International Project ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Sustainable Energy Supply

The IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) can be considered as the IAEA’s response to the challenges of growing energy demand. INPRO’s activities are intended to help to achieve one of the main objectives of the IAEA — to promote the development and peaceful use of nuclear energy. INPRO applies a carefully developed Methodology to assess Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems (INS) and to define R&D needs and deployment strategies for the development of large-scale regional and global INS. The purpose is to match the opportunities and challenges of sustainable energy supply provided by nuclear energy (NE) to the global balance of demands and resources.

scholarly journals Advanced Measuring (Instrumentation) Methods for Nuclear Installations: A Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Qiu-kuan ◽  
Lin Chang-hua ◽  
Yang Yan
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Nuclear Technology ◽  
Measuring Devices ◽  
The World ◽  
Action Analysis ◽  
Measuring Instrumentation

The nuclear technology has been widely used in the world. The research of measurement in nuclear installations involves many aspects, such as nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, safety and security, nuclear accident, after action, analysis, and environmental applications. In last decades, many advanced measuring devices and techniques have been widely applied in nuclear installations. This paper mainly introduces the development of the measuring (instrumentation) methods for nuclear installations and the applications of these instruments and methods.

Crosscutting Requirements in the International Project on Innovative Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Steur ◽  
Yanko Lyubenov Yaven ◽  
Boris Gueorguiev ◽  
Rao Mahadeva ◽  
Wenquan Shen
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
International Project ◽  
Nuclear Technology ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Nuclear Development ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Second Category

There are two categories of requirements: (i) user requirements that need to be met by the designers and manufacturers of innovative reactors and fuel cycles, and (ii) a wide spectrum of requirements that need to be met by countries, willing to successfully deploy innovative nuclear reactors for energy production. This part of the International Project on Innovative Reactors and Fuel Cycles will mainly deal with the second category of requirements. Both categories of requirements will vary depending on the institutional development, infrastructure availability and social attitude in any given country. Out of the need for sustainable development requirements will also more specific in the future. Over a 50-year time frame both categories of requirements will evolve with social and economic development as nuclear technology develops further. For example, the deployment of innovative reactors in countries with marginal or non-existing nuclear infrastructures would be possible only if the reactors are built, owned and operated by an international nuclear utility or if they are inherently safe and can be delivered as a “black box - nuclear battery”. A number of issues will need to be addressed and conditions and requirements developed if this is going to become a reality. One general requirement for wider utilization of innovative nuclear power will be the public and environmental considerations, which will play a role in the decision making processes. Five main clusters of topics will be handled: • Infrastuctural aspects, typology and consequences for nuclear development. • Industrial requirements for the different innovative concepts. • Institutional developments and requirements for future deployment of nuclear energy. (National as well as international). • Socio-political aspects, a.o. public acceptance and role of governments. • Sustainability: requirements following the need for sustainability. Analysis will be made of the evolution of national and international social, institutional and infrastructure requirements for the deployment of innovative nuclear technology through 2050 and beyond and requirements will be identified following the need for.

Users’ Requirements for Environmental Effects From Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems and Their Fuel Cycles

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Carreter ◽  
M. Gray ◽  
E. Falck ◽  
A. Bonne ◽  
M. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
User Requirements ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Nuclear Systems

The objective of the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) is to support the safe, sustainable, economic and proliferation resistant use of nuclear technology to meet the needs of the 21st century. The first part of the project focusses on the development of an understanding of the requirements of possible users of innovative concepts for reactors and fuel cycle applications. This paper reports progress made on the identification of user requirements as they relate to the environment and environmental protection. The user requirements being formulated are intended to limit adverse environmental effects from the different facilities involved in the nuclear fuel cycles to be well below maximum acceptable levels. To determine if the user requirements are met, it is necessary to identify those factors that are relevant to assessment of the environmental performance of innovative nuclear systems. To this effect, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Material Flow accounting (MFA) methodologies are being appraised for the suitability for application. This paper develops and provides the rationale for the “users’ requirements” as they are currently defined. Existing Environmental Impact Assessment and Materials Flow Accounting methodologies that can be applied to determine whether or not innovative technologies conform to the User Requirements are briefly described. It is concluded that after establishing fundamental principles, it is possible to formulate sets of general and specific users’ requirements against which, the potential adverse environmental effects to be expected from innovative nuclear energy systems (INES) can be assessed. The application of these users’ requirements should keep the adverse environmental effects from INES’s within acceptable limits.

DESAE (Dynamic Energy System- Atomic Energy): Integrated Computer Model for Perfoming Global Analysis in INPRO Assessment Studies

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Tsibulskiy ◽  
S. Subbotin ◽  
M. Khoroshev ◽  
F. Depisch
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Computer Model ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Energy System ◽  
International Project ◽  
Fuel Cycles ◽  
Energy Needs

The Agency’s International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was established to help to ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute, in a sustainable manner, to the energy needs in the 21st century. In 2005, its membership continued to grow, with Ukraine and United States of America becoming additional members, and total INPRO membership now stands at 24.

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