Technical Meeting on Technology Assessment for New Nuclear

Technical Meeting on
Technology Assessment for
New Nuclear Power Programmes
Vienna, Austria
1–3 September 2015
Ref. No.: 622-I3-TM-50166
Information Sheet
A. Background
Several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Member States have recently embarked on
initiatives to establish or reinvigorate nuclear power programmes in this rapidly evolving industry.
One of the most important and difficult of all decisions in the nuclear power plant (NPP) construction
process, both for newcomer countries or countries with existing nuclear power programmes, is to
select from all the candidate NPP designs the one that best meets their needs. National technical staff
involved in this decision process need to perform in-depth technology evaluations of available reactor
designs for near term deployment as well as other issues related to NPPs such as coupling for
cogeneration and non-electric applications like desalination and district heating. Evaluating and
selecting the best technology for any NPP, along with documenting and defending the bases for this
decision-making, requires and deserves special attention and technical approaches that are developed
on the basis of best practices. In response to this demonstrated need, the IAEA has developed several
guidance and technical documents that help to enable Member States identify the complex tasks
associated with such an undertaking and to recommend the processes that can be used in the
performance of this work. In addition, as an incentive to enhance capacity building for the
development of nuclear power infrastructure, the Republic of Korea is supporting this project as part
of the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI).
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B. Objectives
The objectives of this meeting are to enable representatives of countries considering the construction
of new NPPs to become aware of the latest NPP technologies available, hear from experienced
technology holders about their lessons learned, and learn how to evaluate nuclear reactor technologies
and designs. The meeting should enable national technical staff involved in the planning, technology
assessment, and decision processes to advance their country’s nuclear capacity in an informed, logical
manner.
C. Expected Output
Upon completion of this meeting, participants should be able to:
Know what reactor systems are currently available or close to being available for near term
deployment;
Know how to assemble a technology assessment team of competent experts in requisite
disciplines, with due consideration for the size and complexity of the project and how to
gather and refine objective expert opinions so that pertinent data can be collected and
processed into information useful in assessing technology options;
Consider various generally acceptable decision-making methodologies and how to choose
from among them;
Present results of the reactor technology assessment to higher authority for further
consideration by decision-makers;
Discuss how reactor technology assessment fits into the national infrastructure milestones
delineated in Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power
(IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1, Vienna, 2007) with respect to feasibility study,
bid invitation specifications, evaluations of bids and pre-construction decision-making; and
Understand and use Nuclear Reactor Technology Assessment for Near Term Deployment
(IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NP-T-1.10, Vienna, 2013).
D. Administrative and Financial Arrangements
Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and
will at that time be given full details on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative
and financial matters.
The costs of the meeting are borne by the IAEA; no registration fee is charged to participants. Travel
and subsistence expenses of participants will not be borne by the IAEA. Limited funds are, however,
available to help meet the cost of attendance of certain participants. Such assistance may be offered
upon specific request to normally one participant per country provided that, in the IAEA’s view, the
participant on whose behalf assistance is requested will make an important contribution to the
meeting. The application for financial support should be made at the time of designating the
participant.
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The organizers of the meeting do not accept liability for the payment of any cost or compensation that
may arise from damage to or loss of personal property, or from illness, injury, disability or death of a
participant while he/she is travelling to and from or attending the meeting, and it is clearly understood
that each Government, in designating participants, undertakes responsibility for such coverage.
Governments would be well advised to take out insurance against these risks.
E. Application Procedure
Designations should be submitted using the attached Participation Form. Completed forms should be
endorsed by the competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to
the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) and returned through the established official
channels. They must be received by the IAEA not later than 10 July 2015. Designations received after
that date or applications sent directly by individuals or by private institutions cannot be considered.
Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and
at that time full details will be given on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative
and financial matters.
For Member States receiving technical cooperation assistance, applications for financial support
should be made at the time of designating the participant.
F. Working Language
The working language of the meeting will be English with no interpretation provided. All
communications, abstracts and papers must be submitted in this language.
G. Venue
The meeting will commence on Tuesday, 1 September 2015. Exact details of the venue will follow in
direct correspondence between the IAEA and the participants.
H. Visas
Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to
the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria as soon as possible.
I.
Local Arrangements
The meeting will be held at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and will start on Tuesday,
1 September 2015, at 9.30 a.m. and end on Thursday, 3 September 2015, at 3.00 p.m.
The meeting agenda and local details, together with information on local arrangements, will be sent to
designated participants once the completed Participation Forms have been received.
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J.
Organization
Official correspondence with regard to the technical aspects of the meeting should be addressed to the
Scientific Secretary:
Mr Mark J. Harper
Nuclear Power Technology Development Section
Division of Nuclear Power
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22865
Fax: +43 1 26007
Email: M.Harper@iaea.org
Official correspondence with regard to administrative issues should be addressed to the Administrative
Secretary:
Ms Paula Houser
Nuclear Power Technology Development Section
Division of Nuclear Power
Department of Nuclear Energy
International Atomic Energy Agency
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 100
1400 VIENNA
AUSTRIA
Tel.: +43 1 2600 25795
Fax: +43 1 26007
Email: P.Houser@iaea.org
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