IAEA BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY The flagship publication of the IAEA | November 2017

Read online at www.iaea.org/bulletin

Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

How China has become the world’s fastest expanding nuclear power producer p. 12 Solving the back end: Finland’s key to the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel p. 8 The UAE’s nuclear path: Q&A with Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi p. 10

Also inside: IAEA News IAEA BULLETIN INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY The flagship publication of the IAEA | November 2017

Read online at www.iaea.org/bulletin

Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s mission is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to help all countries — especially in the developing world — benefit from the peaceful, safe and secure How China has become the world’s fastest expanding nuclear power p. 12 use of nuclear science and technology. Solving the back end: Finland’s key to the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel p. 8 The UAE’s nuclear path: Q&A with Ambassador Established as an autonomous organization under the United Hamad Alkaabi p. 10 Nations in 1957, the IAEA is the only organization within the UN

system with expertise in nuclear technologies. The IAEA’s unique Also inside: IAEA News specialist laboratories help transfer knowledge and expertise to

IAEA BULLETIN IAEA Member States in areas such as human health, food, water, is produced by the industry and the environment. Office of Public Information and Communication (OPIC) The IAEA also serves as the global platform for strengthening International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear security. The IAEA has established the Nuclear Security PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria Series of international consensus guidance publications on nuclear Phone: (43-1) 2600-21270 security. The IAEA’s work also focuses on helping to minimize the Fax: (43-1) 2600-29610 [email protected] risk of nuclear and other radioactive material falling into the hands of terrorists and criminals, or of nuclear facilities being subjected to Editor: Miklos Gaspar malicious acts. Managing Editor: May Fawaz-Huber Design & Production: Ritu Kenn The IAEA safety standards provide a system of fundamental safety principles and reflect an international consensus on what IAEA BULLETIN is available online at constitutes a high level of safety for protecting people and the www.iaea.org/bulletin environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. The Extracts from the IAEA material contained in the IAEA safety standards have been developed for all types of nuclear IAEA Bulletin may be freely used elsewhere provided facilities and activities that serve peaceful purposes, as well as for acknowledgement of their source is made. If the protective actions to reduce existing radiation risks. attribution indicates that the author is not an IAEA staff member, permission to republish other than for The IAEA also verifies through its inspection system that Member the use of review must be sought from the author or States comply with their commitments under the Nuclear originating organization. Non-Proliferation Treaty and other non-proliferation agreements

Views expressed in any signed article appearing in to use nuclear material and facilities only for peaceful purposes. the IAEA Bulletin do not necessarily represent those of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the The IAEA’s work is multi-faceted and engages a wide variety IAEA accepts no responsibility for them. of partners at the national, regional and international levels. IAEA programmes and budgets are set through decisions of its Cover: Starstruck/IAEA policymaking bodies — the 35-member Board of Governors and the General Conference of all Member States. Follow us on

The IAEA is headquartered at the Vienna International Centre. Field and liaison offices are located in Geneva, New York, Tokyo and Toronto. The IAEA operates scientific laboratories in Monaco, Seibersdorf and Vienna. In addition, the IAEA supports and provides funding to the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, in Trieste, Italy. Foreword

Clean energy for a sustainable future: the role of nuclear power By Yukiya Amano, Director General, IAEA

nergy is the engine of development and have inherent safety features, will be more prosperity. All countries need to secure efficient and will generate less waste. The Esufficient energy to drive economic growth latest developments in the field of small while working to mitigate the effects of modular reactors are explored on page 18. climate change. The nuclear industry has been managing Renewable sources of energy such as wind waste disposal successfully for more than half and solar power will play an important role a century. Dozens of facilities for low-level in the future. At the same time, use of nuclear and intermediate-level nuclear waste are power will need to increase to provide the in operation throughout the world. As far steady supply of baseload electricity. As as the long term management of high level one of the lowest-carbon technologies for radioactive waste and spent fuel is concerned, generating electricity, nuclear power will also good progress has been made in recent years. “I am confident that help countries meet their goals of reducing You can learn about Finland’s construction nuclear power will make greenhouse gas emissions. of the first deep geological repository for a growing contribution to spent nuclear fuel, which is likely to become sustainable development This edition of the IAEA Bulletin, published operational early in the next decade. for the International Ministerial Conference in the coming decades. on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, In many countries that are considering The IAEA will play its covers some of the most relevant topics on launching a nuclear power programme, public part to assist countries nuclear power and its role in contributing to acceptance remains an important issue. The in the safe, efficient and sustainable development. story on page 6 summarizes the approach taken by Ghana and Kenya. Investing in sustainable use of this We highlight the way in which operators of young people is important to bridge the skills remarkable resource.” nuclear power plants in the United States gap and sustain nuclear power in the future. ­ — Yukiya Amano, Director General, of America are seeking licence renewals You can read about how the United Kingdom IAEA to extend operation beyond 60 years; how is implementing programmes in this area. China is undertaking the largest expansion of a nuclear power programme of any country; and why the United Arab Emirates has Women in nuclear embarked on a nuclear power programme. This edition includes a special section featuring eight exceptional women working Nuclear power plants require significant in the nuclear field. We are proud to highlight upfront capital investment, but once they their achievements and present their are up and running, they are comparatively perspectives. inexpensive to operate. We examine the United Kingdom’s model for financing nuclear power I am confident that nuclear power will plant construction as one example of how make a growing contribution to sustainable financial risks can be managed. development in the coming decades. The IAEA will play its part to assist countries in Remarkable research is under way on a new the safe, efficient and sustainable use of this generation of nuclear reactors, which will remarkable resource.

(Photo: Expo 2017 Astana) (Photo: C. Brady/IAEA) (Photo: ITER)

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 1 Contents

Foreword

1 Clean energy for a sustainable future: the role of nuclear power

Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

4 Going long term: US nuclear power plants could extend operating life to 80 years

Examples of Key Stakeholders usiness overnent

edia egulatory bodies 6 Making the case for nuclear power: Why stakeholder involvement matters Scientific uclear poer prograe ublic counity

eighbouring ducational countries institutions

8 Solving the back end: Finland’s key to the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel

10 The UAE’s nuclear path: Q&A with Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi

12 How China has become the world’s fastest expanding nuclear power producer

2 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Contents

14 Financing and managing nuclear energy risks: the UK model

16 Encouraging careers in nuclear: The UK’s strategy for a sustainable nuclear workforce

18 Next generation reactors: Safe and economical tools for sustainable energy

World View 20 The seven secrets to cheap nuclear energy — By Michael Shellenberger, President, Environmental Progress

22 Innovation in nuclear is key for a sustainable energy future — By William D. Magwood, IV, Director General, Nuclear Energy Agency

24 Harmony — the future of electricity — By Agneta Rising, Director General, World Nuclear Association

IAEA Updates 26 Revamping food safety in Costa Rica with nuclear technology 27 Supporting nuclear non-proliferation: Ghana converts research reactor from HEU to LEU fuel 28 IAEA Publications

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 3 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Going long term: US nuclear power plants could extend operating life to 80 years By May Fawaz-Huber

Surry Power Station was the first plant to notify the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission of plans to submit an application for subsequent licence renewal. (Photo: NEI)

he last couple of decades have witnessed operation to 60 years. But most of these “If a subsequent renewal Tincreased interest in the extension of will soon reach the end of their 60-year is granted and plants the operating life of nuclear power plants. term. If they cease to operate or are not Extending the life of a plant is more replaced by new plants, the percentage of are allowed to operate economical than building a new one, and energy generated from nuclear will drop. for 80 years, NRC could where it makes business sense, many plant A subsequent renewal extends a plant’s see increased interest by operators in the United States are seeking operation from 60 to 80 years. other utilities.” licence renewals. This helps avoid supply shortages and support the country in reducing Nuclear provides 20 percent of the United — Allen Hiser, Senior Technical carbon emissions. States’ electricity supply and more than 60 Advisor for Licencing Renewal Ageing percent of the country’s CO2 emissions-free Management, NRC “It is very important for us as a world generation. Electricity demand is expected to community to care how electricity is rise by more than 30 percent by 2035. produced,” said Maria Korsnick, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear To obtain licence renewal, a plant must Energy Institute. “You can produce electricity provide the NRC with an assessment of the of an intermittent nature, like wind and solar, technical aspects of plant ageing and show but you are going to also need 24/7 baseload how any issues will be managed safely. energy supply that is kind to the environment, This includes review of system metals, and nuclear is just that.” welds and piping, concrete, electrical cables and reactor pressure vessels. It must also The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission evaluate potential impact on the environment, (NRC) issues licences for nuclear power assuming the plant will operate for another plants to operate for up to 40 years and 20 years. The NRC verifies evaluations allows licences to be renewed for up to 20 through inspection and audits, and its reviews years with every renewal application, as long of licence renewal applications can last as operators prove that the effects of ageing anywhere between 22 and 30 months. on certain plant structures and components will be adequately managed. “In the very beginning, an NRC review took years to complete,” Korsnick said. “Now About 90 percent of US plants have already that the process is better understood, we are renewed their licences once, extending their just under two years. For subsequent licence

4 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

renewal, we will probably get the process down to 18 months.” WOMEN IN NUCLEAR While there have not been any subsequent licence renewals yet, three plants have Maria Korsnick already expressed their intent to submit an application for such renewal. President and Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) “If a subsequent renewal is granted and Drawing on her engineering background, plants are allowed to operate for 80 years, hands-on experience in reactor NRC could see increased interest by other operations and a deep knowledge utilities,” said Allen Hiser, Senior Technical of energy policy and regulatory Advisor for Licencing Renewal Ageing issues, Ms. Korsnick aims to increase Management at NRC. “NRC experienced understanding of nuclear energy’s a similar trend when the original licence economic and environmental benefits renewals were granted back in 2000.” among policymakers and the public. Before joining NEI, she was Senior Vice President of Northeast Operations for Coping with government and Exelon and had served as chief nuclear officer and acting chief market challenges executive officer at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group. She Most US Government policies favour began her career at Constellation in 1986 and held positions of renewables over nuclear, and according to increasing responsibility, including engineer, operator, manager, Korsnick the market does not value all of site vice president, corporate vice president and CNO. the attributes that the nuclear plants bring. Three plants in the past six years have “I am proud to have been a member of Women in Nuclear for already shut down even before their original more than a decade — an organization with more than 25,000 licence expired because they could not make members from 107 countries. Women in Nuclear members sufficient money in the current market place. come from all areas of the nuclear industry — major power Korsnick maintains that the markets must be utilities, reactor design firms, universities, laboratories and improved so that they value the products that government agencies — and draw on their passion for this nuclear is bringing — products that include industry to advocate for nuclear science and technology.” clean air, constant 24/7 power and continuous operation for at least 18 months before needing to refuel. Full recognition of these benefits would prevent additional plants from shutting down prematurely. technologies and that appropriately values the core attributes of each technology and the “Fundamentally we want an electricity benefits they deliver to society,” Korsnick grid that boasts a diversity of generating said.

The IAEA and long-term operation

The IAEA has benefited from NRC support in its long-term operation (LTO) activities. The NRC was an early funder and active participant in the IAEA International Generic Ageing Lessons Learned (IGALL) programme, which used technical information from the NRC’s Generic Ageing Lessons Learned report as its starting point. Other IAEA Member States added data for their plants to that US information, including information for pressurized heavy water reactor designs.

The USA has been an active participant in other IAEA activities related to LTO, including the development of safety guides on ageing management and LTO and presenting LTO workshops for international regulators and plants. The US also continues to provide expertise during IAEA Safety Aspects of Long-Term Operation (SALTO) missions to countries in Europe, Asia, North and South America.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 5 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Making the case for nuclear power: why stakeholder involvement matters By Elisabeth Dyck

ne of the biggest challenges that nuclear document that Member States use for the power programmes face is securing and development of infrastructure for a nuclear “Kenya undertook early Osustaining the support of key stakeholders, power programme. The IAEA publishes public opinion polling including the public. This is also applicable guidance documents and organizes discussions to identify the main to countries considering a possible role for on common challenges and good practices interests and concerns of nuclear power in their energy mix to ensure to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, energy sustainability and enhance economic experience and best practices on how to stakeholders, including and industrial development. communicate with all interested parties. the public, regarding nuclear power. The results Embarking on a nuclear power programme “Engaging stakeholders is more than helped in developing requires years of preparatory work and long promoting the benefits of nuclear power or term national commitment throughout the explaining its risks or complexities,” said a comprehensive development, construction, operation and, Brenda Pagannone, a stakeholder engagement communication strategy, ultimately, decommissioning, of nuclear expert who chaired a recent meeting on including activities, facilities. To advance a strong case for nuclear Stakeholder Involvement and Public messages and preferred power and to gain sustained public acceptance, Information at the IAEA. “It is about creating it is essential to engage all stakeholders at dialogue and taking into account the role and media.” every stage of the planning process and during inputs of all interested parties in the decision- — Basett Buyukah, Director for Publicity the life cycle of nuclear facilities. making process.” and Advocacy, Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board “Transparent and fact-based communication with the society at large not only contributes Ghana’s example to the introduction and acceptance of nuclear Ghana, for instance, is cooperating with power programmes, but also enhances safety the IAEA on developing a national nuclear and security,” says Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA power programme. It has established a Deputy Director General and Head of the national organization — the Ghana Nuclear Department of Nuclear Energy. Power Programme Organization (GNPPO) — to coordinate all preparatory activities Stakeholder involvement is one of the 19 related to nuclear infrastructure development infrastructure issues covered in the IAEA’s and hosted an IAEA Integrated Nuclear Milestones approach, a structured guidance Infrastructure Review.

Key stakeholders usiness overnent

edia egulatory bodies

Scientific uclear poer prograe ublic counity

eighbouring ducational countries institutions

(Infographic: F. Nassif/IAEA)

6 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

“We have recognized that this undertaking is of a national dimension, requiring the buy-in WOMEN IN NUCLEAR of a wide range of interested parties,” said Ben Nyarko, Deputy Chairman of GNPPO. “We have engaged with stakeholders from Myra Liyana Razali the very onset of the programme. This Manager, Stakeholder Engagement, Malaysia Nuclear Power has enabled the GNPPO to effectively Corporation (MNPC) communicate the requirements and benefits Ms. Razali is responsible for stakeholder of the programme to industry, policymakers engagement and corporate communications for and the general public.” the nuclear power programme development in Malaysia. Over recent years she has participated Kenya’s case in and contributed to IAEA meetings and expert missions, as she aspires to be among those Kenya, which has also sought IAEA raising the bar for stakeholder involvement guidance on the development of a nuclear in the nuclear industry. She has worked in the power programme, established the Kenya nuclear energy field since 2007, when she Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) in 2012 to joined the Malaysian Nuclear Agency as a coordinate all preparatory activities related to publication officer. nuclear infrastructure development. “To move forward with the pursuit of nuclear power, we need to “Kenya undertook early public opinion address negative perceptions of nuclear etched in the hearts and minds polling to identify the main interests and of the public. To do that effectively, trust — as the new currency of concerns of stakeholders, including the stakeholder involvement — is foundational. Trust requires a genuine public, regarding nuclear power,” said approach to communication — one that involves deep listening, Basett Buyukah, Director for Publicity and meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding. As challenging as Advocacy at KNEB. “The results of the this may be, we have to find our voice in the midst of the noise and poll were pivotal for KNEB in developing remain committed in order to keep the public engaged.” a comprehensive communication strategy, including activities, messages and preferred media.” KNEB has subsequently rolled out a strong public education programme, including for schools, colleges and universities, and including operating reactors, temporary spent hosted meetings, conferences and workshops fuel storage facilities and final radioactive for different stakeholders. waste repositories.

“Forging a positive and open relationship Non-stop communication with local communities — workers, families, Stakeholder involvement activities do representatives of other industries, leaders, not stop once a nuclear power plant is in students and teachers — is paramount to operation. They need to be maintained maintaining a trustworthy and positive throughout the life cycle of nuclear facilities, environment,” said Pagannone.

More than 60 participants from 19 newcomer countries to nuclear power and 16 operating countries attended the IAEA Technical Meeting on Stakeholder Involvement and Public Information, held on 13-16 June 2017 in Vienna. (Photo: A. Evrensel/IAEA)

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 7 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Solving the back end: Finland’s key to the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel By Irena Chatzis

Entrance to ONKALO, Finland’s repository for spent nuclear fuel (Photo: Posiva)

ountries operating nuclear power Development at Posiva, the company in plants store their spent nuclear fuel charge of the project. “Governments and “Since the decision Ceither at reactor sites or away from them. people have changed, but the decision and was made 40 years ago Spent fuel can be dangerous to people and the vision for the future have remained the on the overall waste the environment if not properly managed; same.” therefore, a publicly acceptable, permanent management strategy solution for its disposal is needed (see box). Another reason why Finland’s model has and on a deep geological While a number of countries are considering worked is the timely involvement of all the repository as the primary deep geological disposal repositories, stakeholders in the project, who worked as option for spent nuclear Finland is the only country that has begun one team, targeting the same goal. the construction of a repository for the final fuel, all the stakeholders disposal of its spent nuclear fuel. “The roles between the different stakeholders have stood by it. have been clear. The decision makers Governments and people have developed legislation in parallel to Finland’s recipe for success have changed, but the introducing nuclear energy, and the Radiation At a depth of 400-450 metres and with about and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland decision and the vision for 70 km of tunnels and shafts, the ONKALO (STUK) has developed safety guides, the future have remained repository in Olkiluoto on Finland’s west regulations and competences to review and the same.” coast will house copper canisters filled with inspect our documentation and applications,” spent fuel from nuclear power reactors. It said Jalonen. — Tiina Jalonen, Senior Vice President for Development, Posiva is expected to receive waste for about 100 years, after which time it will be sealed. Moreover, involving STUK from the beginning was crucial to building the trust in “Since the decision was made 40 years ago the project. “It wouldn’t have worked if any on the overall waste management strategy of the stakeholders were missing from the and on a deep geological repository as the process,” explained Petteri Tiippana, Director primary option for spent nuclear fuel, all General at STUK. “Active participation the stakeholders have stood by it,” said of the safety regulator provided the local Tiina Jalonen, Senior Vice President for community with additional assurances.”

8 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

In fact, public acceptance was crucial for the success of the project. The selection of WOMEN IN NUCLEAR the Olkiluoto site — home to three nuclear reactors — as the repository site was made, not only for the geological suitability of this Laurie Swami area, but also for the acceptance of the people President and CEO, Nuclear Waste Management living there. Finland conducted many studies Organization (NWMO) about local and national attitudes toward the project, which showed that people living Ms. Swami is responsible for around nuclear power plants tend to have implementing Canada’s plan for the more trust in nuclear projects. long-term management of used nuclear fuel. She previously served as Senior “Trust has been one cornerstone in being able Vice-President of Decommissioning to proceed according to the Government’s and Nuclear Waste Management at schedule,” Jalonen said. “Building trust has Ontario Power Generation (OPG), required extensive and open communication where her responsibilities included with local people, the authority and the overseeing operation of OPG’s nuclear decision makers.” waste management facilities, as well as implementing OPG’s deep geological repository for low and The project is based on the “multiple intermediate-level nuclear waste. She began her career at OPG in barriers” concept, which aims to provide 1986 and held various roles with increasing responsibility in the needed containment and isolation to prevent Nuclear Division. spent fuel from leaking and spreading, according to Posiva. The combination of “The safe, long- term management of used nuclear fuel is an bedrock, disposal canisters surrounded by important responsibility we have towards future generations. clay, tunnels filled with clay containing Fortunately, nuclear waste management organizations around backfilling materials and plugging the the world, including ours in Canada, are building momentum tunnel’s mouth will all serve as protective and taking concrete action to implement plans in a manner that multiple barriers. protects both people and the environment.”

Who’s next? Two other countries have made progress towards building repositories for high-level In France, the licence application for the deep radioactive waste or spent fuel declared as geological disposal facility, Cigéo, is under waste. In June 2016, the Swedish Radiation preparation; it is planned to be submitted by Safety Authority endorsed the licence the end of 2018, with construction starting in application for the future spent fuel deep 2020. The pilot phase of disposal could start geological repository at Forsmark. Review by as soon as 2025. It will contain waste from the Swedish Land and Environment Court for the reprocessing of spent fuel from France’s environmental licencing of the project started current fleet of nuclear power plants and in September 2017. other long-lived radioactive waste.

THE SCIENCE High-Level Radioactive Waste (HLW) is produced from the burning of uranium fuel in nuclear power reactors. It is of two kinds: spent fuel, declared as waste and ready for disposal, or waste resulting from the reprocessing of spent fuel.

Due to its high radioactivity and very long half-life (the time it takes for a radioactive substance to lose half its radioactivity), HLW has to be well contained and isolated from the human environment. Intensive research has identified the suitability of various rock types to host deep geological repositories and engineered barrier systems to isolate the waste. These repositories are constructed in suitable geological formations at a depth of several hundred meters and designed to contain high-level waste for hundreds of thousands of years.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 9 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future | Q&A

The UAE’s nuclear path: Q&A with Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi By Shant Krikorian

The United Arab Emirates is expected to bring its first nuclear power reactor into operation in 2018. The country started building the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in 2012 and currently has four units under construction. We sat down with Ambassador Hamad Alkaabi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the IAEA, to talk about his country’s nuclear power programme. Q: Why did the UAE choose to embark on a nuclear power programme?

A: The UAE’s decision to pursue a nuclear power programme was based on the need to meet the country’s increasing energy demand. We chose nuclear power for its commercial and environmental competitiveness. The early phase of the programme included a detailed road map addressing all infrastructure requirements and associated costs. The decision to go ahead with the programme was based on full understanding of its financial implications. The development of a nuclear power programme requires solid investment and risk mitigation strategies. What makes our programme successful is our Government’s robust commitment, a viable We chose nuclear power for its business model, high public acceptance and strong international cooperation and support, commercial and environmental including with and from the IAEA. competitiveness. What makes our programme successful is our Q: How has the IAEA helped with Government’s robust commitment, this process? a viable business model, high A: The IAEA has provided guidance on public acceptance and strong the development of our national nuclear international cooperation and infrastructure. Our planning was based on support, including with and from the IAEA’s Milestones approach, whereby Barakah nuclear power eight IAEA review missions were conducted the IAEA. plant, UAE covering various areas and stages of the — Hamad Alkaabi, Ambassador and Permanent (Photo: IAEA) programme. Moreover, the reports from Representative of the UAE to the IAEA

these review missions were made public, which contributed to increased confidence in the programme among stakeholders and the public at large.

Q: How will cooperation with the IAEA evolve once the Barakah Plant is connected to the grid? A: The focus of our cooperation will naturally shift to more advanced areas of commissioning and safety of operation, but

10 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future | Q&A

we will continue to be interested in technical support and peer review missions. WOMEN IN NUCLEAR The UAE’s commitment to the highest standards of operational transparency, safety, Shaima Al-Mansoory security and non-proliferation, as well as our Director, Education and Training, UAE’s Federal Authority of cooperation with the IAEA has enabled our Nuclear Regulation (FANR) programme to serve as a model for many Ms. Al-Mansoory is responsible for countries embarking on nuclear power. We capacity building, knowledge management look forward to sharing our experience with and operations training at FANR. Under other IAEA Member States. her leadership, the Education and Training Department has progressed in developing the capacities of the Emirati staff and Q: How can a country develop a experts in the areas of competency strong nuclear regulator when development, succession, research and development, knowledge management, it is developing a nuclear power technical certifications and career programme? development. Ms. Al-Mansoory joined FANR in 2009 and played an important role in the establishment of A: A competent nuclear safety regulator is the department alongside experts in the field of capacity building. the cornerstone of any successful nuclear programme. First, we established the right “Empowering women in nuclear serves a vital part of our work framework through a comprehensive nuclear at FANR. We have developed specific programmes to ensure our law that gives the regulator the power, women are well equipped with the skills and knowledge required independence and resources it needs to carry to perform at their peak. Currently, Emirati women comprise more out its mandate. Second, we have established than 38 percent of FANR’s total workforce of 213 employees, with the regulatory capabilities by focusing on around 42 women taking up leading roles in nuclear safety and maintaining the needed skills. This is done security, safeguards and others.” on the one hand by acquiring external experts with global experience, while training local experts and developing their skills on the other. We also coordinate with the industry and on-the-job training and mentoring. Youth so that building regulatory capabilities empowerment and capacity building are key becomes a gradual process directly linked to priorities in our policy. the progress of the project and its schedule. Not to mention the valuable support received from the reactor’s country of origin and other Q: What is the UAE’s rationale for internationally recognized technical support hosting the IAEA’s International organizations. Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century? Q: A foreign workforce has played an important role in the UAE’s nuclear A: In 2012, the UAE became the first newcomer State in almost three decades to push. How will the country secure a start the construction of a nuclear power skilled and sustainable workforce in reactor. This makes it a uniquely relevant case to many Member States. The support this sector for the long term? we received for hosting this Conference is A: Building a sustainable national capacity is recognition of the UAE’s successful efforts a challenge for any country using nuclear. In and responsible approach in developing a newcomer States, nuclear projects necessarily peaceful nuclear programme. Moreover, dictate a reliance on a foreign workforce and the Conference is an important forum to expertise, particularly at the beginning of a discuss the current and future role of nuclear project. To address the challenge of ensuring power in sustainable development and the availability of sufficient manpower climate change mitigation. The UAE is happy throughout all phases of the nuclear to host such a timely discussion, given our programme, the UAE developed a robust strong commitment to clean energy, where human resources strategy that identifies the nuclear, solar and other clean sources will scale and type of expertise needed. It is an play an important role in our nation’s future integrated approach that includes scholarships energy mix.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 11 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

How China has become the world’s fastest expanding nuclear power producer By Laura Gil

This huge round structure, called ‘the dome’, is only one piece in China’s Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently under construction. (Photo: M. Klingenboeck/IAEA)

t has 38 nuclear power reactors in operation Trying to curb its reliance on coal, which “We have a well- Iand 19 under construction1. It has increased pollutes the air and is hard to transport from established, complete its number of operating reactors by more the coal mines in the west and north of the than ten times since 2000 and plans to bring country to the economically developed system in place, not five units into commercial operation this southeast coast, China is building most of its only from the point of year alone. It is China, the fastest expanding reactors along this coast. With nuclear, it plans view of design, but also nuclear power generator in the world. to increase energy security, lower its reliance on coal and oil and limit CO emissions while manufacturing, quality 2 “China is a big country. We have higher keeping up with its economic growth. assurance, safety and energy demand than other countries, but construction.” also more room for nuclear power,” said A test for the world — Zheng Mingguang, President, Zheng Mingguang, President of the Shanghai Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research Nuclear Engineering Research and Design China’s 19 reactors under construction and Design Institute Institute (SNERDI). include several advanced models. “The nuclear industry is watching China put the In the list of ‘expanding countries’ in first AP1000 reactors in Sanmen and Hiayang the world, China stands at the very top, in operation,” said Nesimi Kilic, nuclear followed by Russia with seven reactors under engineer at the IAEA. Out of these, Sanmen-1 construction, India six and the Republic of is expected to be finished by 2018. The EPR Korea three. Currently, the countries with reactor in Taishan is also expected to enter most reactors in operation are the United commercial operation in 2018. With the States, France, Japan and China. commissioning of Sanmen-1, more of such reactors could be built in other countries, according to Kilic. “China has become a pilot for the world,” he remarked. 1These figures do not include six units in operation and two units under construction in Taiwan, China.

12 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

The economics of nuclear China’s energy regulator, the National Energy Administration, is expected to set the WOMEN IN NUCLEAR country’s nuclear capacity target to 120-150 gigawatts by 2030, up from about 38 in 2017. Rong Fang Thanks to this scale, nuclear is economically Chief Economist, State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation competitive, Chinese experts have said. (SNPTC)

“We have a well-established, complete For the past 32 years, Ms. Rong has devoted system in place,” Zheng said. “Not only herself to the development of China’s from the point of view of design, but also nuclear industry and has assumed executive manufacturing, quality assurance, safety and positions in nuclear research and design construction. This is why nuclear power in institutes, nuclear power plants, nuclear China is economically feasible.” equipment manufacturers and national nuclear corporations. She completed the Localizing the technology — design and design of several major nuclear engineering manufacturing in China — is what is giving projects, contributed to the planning the Chinese an advantage and making this of nuclear industry expansion in China expansion possible, Kilic said. China has and facilitated the establishment of several professional nuclear the facilities, the technology and the human enterprises, including engineering, operation and fuel management capability. for AP1000 nuclear power projects. She is the first woman from mainland China to receive the Women in Nuclear award in 2017.

Expansion abroad “China’s efforts to develop nuclear energy are necessary to China’s ambitions are also global as it plans safeguard energy security, improve energy structure and combat to export nuclear power reactors in the future. climate change. I believe China will continue to adhere to the three-step strategy, i.e. pressurized water reactor, fast reactor “With technological development, the and fusion reactor in the path of nuclear energy development. economy of nuclear power could be better in Moreover, the advanced GEN III passive pressurized water reactor the future,” Zheng said, adding that countries technology will be the mainstream model in mainland China for need to support each other. China is already decades to come.” sharing best practices from its experience, using the IAEA as a platform.

Staff receive instructions at China’s Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant. (Photo: China National Nuclear Corporation, Fuqing Nuclear Power Company)

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 13 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Financing and managing nuclear energy risks: The UK model By Jennet Orayeva

Workers at Hinkley Point C construction site (Photo: EDF Energy)

uclear Power Plants (NPPs) have long These include reducing revenue volatility by “It is instructive that Nlifetimes and low running costs, but they guaranteeing electricity prices and providing the UK government require high up-front capital expenses and various forms of government guarantees. a long planning and construction time. This has concluded, based means the economics of NPPs are sensitive on years of analysis, to the cost of financing and overruns, and Replacing nuclear with nuclear: that even in a market project delays can be costly. Successful Why the UK model matters that has a long history financing is a major challenge and typically Around 20 percent of the UK’s electricity requires significant government involvement. supply today is produced by nuclear. with civilian nuclear power, government Traditionally, the costs of constructing and Within the broader context of its Electricity support is still needed to operating nuclear power plants were mostly Market Reform, the Government has decided facilitate nuclear power passed on to electricity consumers in the form to continue to rely on nuclear rather than only of regulated tariffs, minimizing the risk to on gas or renewable energy sources, and is development.” lenders, investors and operators of exposure seeking to replace its existing nuclear fleet. — Paul Murphy, Managing Director, to price fluctuation. This traditional approach Gowling WLG characterized most pre-liberalization Currently, developers have up to 11 reactors electricity markets, where many of the proposed or planned at six sites. The power utilities were integrated monopolies plant at Hinkley Point C has already passed combining generation, transmission, through several stages of the decision-making distribution and retail, and the level of process and is expected to be commissioned government involvement in regulation in the early 2020s. was high. The UK model features three main However, the market liberalization that mechanisms in support of nuclear: a price started in the developed world in the 1990s guarantee scheme known as contract for has led to increased price and revenue difference (CfD); a government guarantees uncertainty, causing reluctance among lenders scheme; and a mechanism for limiting investor and investors to commit the significant exposure to the costs of disposing of higher resources needed for NPP construction. activity waste, including spent nuclear fuel.

In an attempt to address this reluctance, stakeholders have come up with innovative Contract for Difference approaches to risk sharing in nuclear power The CfD features a ratepayer-backed projects that aim to give additional assurance guaranteed price for electricity generated to potential lenders and reduce capital costs. by low-carbon technologies. According to

14 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

the terms of its CfD, Hinkley Point C, once operational, will be paid the difference (on a ‘per megawatt hour’ basis) between a ‘strike WOMEN IN NUCLEAR price’ (the electricity price that reflects the cost of investing in a particular low-carbon Helen Cook technology) and the ‘reference price’ — a Counsel, Shearman & Sterling LLP measure of the average price for electricity in the UK market. When the average market Ms. Cook advises clients on the price (the price that a generator such as establishment and implementation of civilian Hinkley Point C might expect to receive nuclear power programmes and on the directly from the sale of its electricity in the procurement, construction and financing of market) is lower than the strike price, the new nuclear power plants and associated generator receives a ‘top up’ payment to nuclear fuel facilities and transactions. She make up the difference. When the average is the author of The Law of Nuclear Energy market price is higher than the strike price, and the Chair of the Law Group of the World the generator must pay back the difference. Nuclear Association. Ms. Cook was recently named to the National Law Journal’s 2017 “In the Hinkley Point C project, the CfD D.C. Rising Stars list, which recognizes the Washington, D.C. area’s substantially mitigates the so-called ‘market 40 most promising lawyers aged under 40. risk’ faced by lenders and investors,” said Anurag Gupta, Director and Global Sector “The future of the global nuclear industry requires that new Head for Power Infrastructure and Corporate sources of finance are attracted to nuclear power projects. This Finance at KPMG. means managing the unique and highly complex risk profile presented by nuclear power plants, which encompasses both This gives electricity generators greater financial and reputational risks, and recognizing that the character certainty and stability of revenues by of these risks changes over the lifetime of a project.” reducing their exposure to volatile wholesale prices, while protecting consumers from paying for higher than necessary support costs when electricity prices are high.

“By creating greater certainty, investors and lenders are able to model the project, is still needed to facilitate nuclear power which in turn allows them to make more development,” Murphy commented. informed decisions,” explained Paul Murphy, Managing Director of Gowling WLG. “Furthermore, taking a 35-year tenure, as Limiting investor exposure to the opposed to a classic 20-year tenure, facilitates costs of disposing of higher activity further long-term equity investment as well waste as refinancing options.” One of the key issues associated with nuclear power is uncertainty with regard The UK Guarantees Scheme to the costs of disposing of higher activity waste, including spent nuclear fuel. The UK The UK Guarantees Scheme (UKGS) Government has put in place a mechanism is a mechanism developed by the UK to effectively cap such costs, thereby Government to provide credit enhancement reducing operators’ exposure to the risk of through debt guarantees. The scheme was cost escalation. The mechanism operates by introduced in 2010 with a budget of £40 setting an upper limit (or ‘cap’) on the ‘waste billion in guarantees to be invested across transfer price’ that an operator will have to a range of UK infrastructure categories, pay in return for the UK Government taking including energy, transport and social ‘ownership’ of the higher level waste (and infrastructure. Support from this scheme has thus responsibility for its disposal). been made available to the Hinkley Point C project (for up to ₤2 billion worth of debt). “By effectively capping the ultimate waste transfer price, the UK Government has “It is instructive that the UK Government has provided reassurance to potential investors concluded, based on years of analysis, that regarding a very ‘difficult to quantify’ project even in a market that has a long history with risk,” explained Paul Warren, IAEA Senior civilian nuclear power, government support Nuclear Engineer for Nuclear Power.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 15 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Encouraging careers in nuclear: The UK’s strategy for a sustainable nuclear workforce By Oleksandra Gudkova

Workers at Sellafield (Photo: NDA)

n order to address the widening skills gap about the sustainable use of energy. Today, it “[The NDA’s] strategy Icaused by the retirement of an ageing has more than 22 000 registered schools, with covers a range of aspects, workforce in the nuclear industry, the United more than 10 million children and 32 000 Kingdom is devising strategies to develop the teachers registered in the programme. More from attracting young skills of its young people and encourage them than 200 schools from 54 other countries people into the industry to pursue careers in this sector. have also joined. through targeted skills interventions at schools “The United Kingdom is experiencing a “The Pod provides ideas for teachers to nuclear renaissance,” said Lynne Matthews, use in the classroom, such as games and and developing fit-for- Education and Skills Strategy Manager at competitions. This interactive approach purpose apprenticeship EDF Energy. “In order to build, operate and helps students have fun while learning about programmes, right decommission current and future stations, we sustainable development and energy saving, through to the need to ensure we have the skills needed.” Matthews explained. development and One of the ways of addressing this gap, “We are starting with primary schools and redeployment of skills Matthews added, is to support public working all the way to university level. We to ensure that they stay understanding and acceptance of nuclear also have nuclear site tours to help dispel any within the sector.” through programmes and activities and inspire myths about nuclear. We want to encourage the young to choose careers in this industry. openness, transparency and trust.” — Beccy Pleasant, Head of Skill and Talent, NDA Within the scope of its educational activities, Nuclear for children EDF Energy also provides opportunities for The Pod is an education programme young people to enrol in training workshops promoted by EDF Energy, the largest and graduate and post-graduate programmes. producer of low-carbon electricity in the These opportunities give students the chance UK. The programme provides free resources to develop their academic qualifications for teaching children and adolescents aged while gaining field experience. They also between 4 and 14 years about topics in equip them with the skills necessary to build energy, waste, water, transport, biodiversity a successful career in the nuclear industry. and climate change.

EDF Energy developed the Pod in 2008 to Focused national strategies help meet its goal of engaging 2.5 million Other activities are being carried out on children by 2012 in education programmes the national level. The United Kingdom’s

16 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) was established to coordinate the efforts of all the major nuclear players in the sector. It has WOMEN IN NUCLEAR developed a clear action plan of collaborative initiatives which address the attraction, Helena Zhivitskaya development and mobilization of a nuclear Vice-Rector, Belarusian State University of Informatics and workforce. Each of these initiatives is Radioelectronics, Scientific Secretary of the Regional Network sponsored by organizations within the sector, for Education and Training in Nuclear Technology STAR-NET with Government agencies also playing a role. With more than 15 years of managerial experience, Dr. Zhivitskaya oversees Feeding into the NSSG Strategic Plan is quality control and development of the National Decommissioning Authority’s educational curricula, including the (NDA) People Strategy, which is designed to ‘Instrumentation and Control Systems for ensure that the UK’s decommissioning sector Nuclear Power Plant’ degree programme, has the skills and capability to deliver its among others. She is a core contributor mission. to the ‘Belarus educational programme for Nuclear Energy 2008-2020’. She is “This strategy covers a range of aspects, also the author of more than 170 scientific from attracting young people into the works and publications, including four monographs and 11 industry through targeted skills interventions textbooks. She is one of the initiators and leaders of the creation at schools and developing fit-for-purpose and operation of the Regional Network for Education and Training apprenticeship programmes, right through to in Nuclear Technology STAR-NET. the development and redeployment of skills to ensure that they stay within the sector,” “Safe development of nuclear energy is key to solving the energy said Beccy Pleasant, Head of Skill and Talent problems facing society. In the era of globalization and fast- at the NDA. paced development, a new generation of nuclear technology professionals must continuously develop their knowledge, Another programme has been developed by creativity and propensity for innovation. Increasing public Sellafield, the country’s fuel reprocessing awareness of the immense benefits of nuclear energy, and and nuclear decommissioning site. “It offers therefore improving its image amongst non-professionals, is nuclear degree apprenticeships for young crucial to attract highly qualified personnel.” people who are looking for an alternative to going to university,” Pleasant said. “This is just a selection of the work being developed by the NDA to ensure the ongoing availability of a talented workforce for decommissioning.”

An IAEA curriculum for nuclear science A career in nuclear can be made more attractive thanks to the Compendium, an IAEA tool that aims to increase awareness and appreciation of nuclear science among young people.

The Compendium, which is being tested by the IAEA and education experts from several countries, devises unique teaching strategies and materials to introduce science and technology in education systems.

Prepared under an IAEA technical cooperation project, the Compendium was developed with technical input from experts in Australia, Finland, India, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. The projects involved putting together a collection of extracurricular programmes and activities for secondary school teachers and students aimed at increasing curiosity, awareness and knowledge among students.

The Compendium proposes nuclear topics for secondary education, while the modular nature of the materials allows teachers and students to choose activities that meet their specific needs.

The Compendium was launched in 2015 as a pilot in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, with prospects of applying it in more countries, including Jordan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, at their request.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 17 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

Next generation reactors: safe and economical tools for sustainable energy By Matthew Fisher

he nuclear industry could benefit from With these advanced reactor designs comes “The concept of small Ta new generation of reactors designed the possibility of an expanded role for nuclear modular reactors is to create inherently safer and more efficient energy. So far, nuclear energy has primarily that smaller units, nuclear power plants. These reactors may been used for electricity generation, but contribute to the development of more there is a wide variety of other, non-electric modular construction, sustainable nuclear energy and may also be applications for which the new generation of simplification of design used in a variety of industrial applications. reactors could be well suited. and demonstrated safety are sought in order to “The benefits of nuclear energy should not Advanced reactors with unique be limited to electricity production, but add flexibility and make performance and safety features should also target other applications, such the investment decision The next generation of reactors are as heat production,” said Francois Gauché, easier.” made to meet several benchmarks in Chair of the Gen IV International Forum performance, safety and reliability. Small Policy Group and Nuclear Energy Director — Francois Gauché, Nuclear Energy modular reactors (SMRs), for example, at the French Alternative Energies and Director, French Atomic Energy are advanced reactors that can generate up Atomic Energy Commission. “The concept Commission to 300 MW of electricity and whose parts of small modular reactors is that smaller can be transported to installation sites as units, modular construction, simplified design prefabricated modules. and demonstrated safety are sought in order to add flexibility and make the investment “Thanks to their prefab construction model decision easier.” and their smaller size, the capital cost is lower for SMRs than for the typical large Several countries are in the process of reactors currently under construction or in developing and designing the next generation operation,” said Stefano Monti, Section Head of reactors, and construction has already begun for Nuclear Power Technology Development on four SMRs in Argentina, China and Russia. at the IAEA. “The construction period is also expected to be shorter as the modules are prefabricated and then brought to the Innovative reactors for sustainable installation site for construction. SMRs are energy also inherently much less prone to severe The most advanced gas-cooled reactor accidents, as they are designed to have to date, the High Temperature Reactor- reduced core damage frequency.” Pebble-bed Module (HTR-PM), is currently

(Infographic: F. Nassif/IAEA)

18 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 Nuclear power for a clean-energy future

under construction in China. This modular reactor is designed to optimize energy WOMEN IN NUCLEAR efficiency and is ideal for adding small incremental capacity to power grids, said Patricia Paviet Yuliang Sun, Deputy Director and Deputy Director, Office of Materials and Chemical Technologies, Chief Engineer at Tsinghua University’s US Department of Energy Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology. This reactor type is also well Dr. Paviet oversees R&D activities related to the suited for the application of power and back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle, which include heat co-generation, in particular for heat material recovery and waste-form development, application at higher temperature levels. material protection, accountability and control technologies. Prior to joining the US Department An integrated pressurized water reactor of Energy, she was the Deputy Director of the (PWR), the CAREM, is in the works in Institute of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology Argentina. It is scheduled to come online for fuel cycle research and education at the Idaho by the end of 2018. The design of this SMR National Laboratory, where she was responsible incorporates safety elements which do not for strengthening and expanding the university’s require input from reactor personnel, including partnerships to areas such as actinide science, separations, safeguards and the capability to automatically shut down if a instrumentation. Dr. Paviet is the Chair of the Gen IV International Forum - problem with the reactor is detected. Education and Training Task Force. A very particular case is KLT-40S, a floating “The future vigour, prosperity and sustainability of the nuclear fuel cycle power reactor under construction in Russia. depend on the formation of specialized nuclear engineers, scientists and This reactor type has potential applications in radiochemists. New ideas and innovative solutions will be needed as heating and electricity and in power supply well. Education and training should be priorities, not only to respond to the to isolated consumers in remote areas. The challenge of maintaining a strong well-educated workforce, but also to meet RITM-200, also under construction in Russia, the projected growth in this field.” is intended for marine propulsion of an icebreaker ship, but it can also be used as a land-based or barge-mounted SMR for heat The IAEA has been supporting the progress and electricity. of these innovative technologies, in particular by hosting a series of conferences on new reactor technologies for sustainable Fast reactors for more efficient development. In June 2017, the IAEA nuclear energy held the third iteration of the International Fast reactors are designed to produce as Conference on Fast Reactors and Related much as 60 to 70 times more energy from Fuel Cycles in Yekaterinburg, Russia. uranium than the current generation of These events bring together a wide range of thermal reactors. By recycling spent fuel and professionals in this field to discuss how best utilizing “fast” neutrons (neutrons produced to apply new reactor designs to providing by fission which are not slowed down by clean and sustainable energy. a moderator), these reactors are highly efficient, produce far less nuclear waste, and may have great potential for non-electrical New designs that help overcome applications of nuclear energy, particularly challenges for industrial processes. Though SMRs may provide numerous benefits, there are still some challenges The only fast reactor currently used in associated with their implementation. “As commercial operation is the Russia BN-800 advanced SMRs have yet to be deployed, a reactor. Connected to the grid in December regulatory infrastructure for these reactors 2015, it runs on mixed oxide fuel and has has yet to be consolidated,” Monti said. advanced safety characteristics. The BN-800 “Another challenge is to have a single control is also highly fuel efficient. room for all modules in an SMR facility. This has not been done before, and if successful, “The BN-800 reactor is another step towards could help streamline reactor operations.” a full commercialization of fast reactors, He added that though licensing of SMRs which will be able to compete with PWRs could take longer initially, this process should on cost,” said Vyacheslav Pershukov, Deputy be sped up considerably once a regulatory Director General at Rosatom. framework is well established.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 19 World View

The seven secrets to cheap nuclear energy By Michael Shellenberger

nergy ministers and other policymakers Engage the public. Like all technologies, often face a bewildering array of sales nuclear energy must have popular support to Epitches from nuclear plant promoters, which survive and thrive. Most people, whether in has resulted in many countries making poor developed or developing countries, know little decisions, leading to long construction delays about energy and are wary of nuclear despite and large cost overruns in the United States, the fact that it is the safest way to produce Finland, France, China, India and the United electricity. Public engagement is therefore not Kingdom, among others. optional, but essential. Engagement efforts must be science based, informed by the best The good news is that there is overwhelming psychological, sociological and public opinion consensus among economists and energy research available. experts about what it takes to make nuclear energy competitive. This consensus draws Standardize to a single design. What France on construction and operation cost data from and South Korea have proven is that for Michael Shellenberger is countries around the world over a period of construction crews to reduce the time and President of Environmental more than 40 years. cost of building reactors and power plants, Progress, an independent they must gain experience — which only research and policy Build national consensus around a long- comes from repetition. While modest changes organization based in Berkeley, term energy plan. Successful nuclear can be made to designs — such as moving to California, USA. This article is programmes require decades, not just a few a larger reactor, or adding safety features — drawn from its new report, years. This means they must enjoy strong the core design must be the same. “Seven Secrets to Cheap national support across the political spectrum, Nuclear Energy.” so that nuclear plant construction is not Centralize construction with a single, interrupted by changes of government on the experienced builder. A single person must way to a country’s goal of achieving 20, 40 or have the authority to oversee all aspects even 80 percent of its electricity from nuclear. of construction in a single institution. This Building that consensus requires establishing person should have experience and the trust the need for nuclear energy for economic, of policymakers, must be held accountable, security and environmental reasons. There and in turn, should have the authority to hold also needs to be consensus around the relative everyone involved in the project accountable. safety of nuclear, since this is the top concern All parties must also be held accountable in for all parties. order to control costs.

Civeaux nuclear power plant, France (Photo: EDF)

20 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 World View

Experienced managers overlooking the construction of multi-unit Shin-Kori nuclear power plant. (Photo: M. Shellenberger)

Build as big as possible. Despite some construction delays will only hurt everyone. recent enthusiasm for smaller plant designs, For this to work, transparency is required: the evidence shows that nuclear plants with buyer must be able to check the books of the higher output produce cheaper electricity vendor. than ones with lower output. This is mostly because the additional workers required Finance with low-cost loans. Some of the to produce power from bigger reactors are highest costs that result from construction outweighed by the higher output. This rule delays are simply paying the interest on holds true even when larger reactors modestly loans. Avoiding high costs requires both increase the cost of construction — the avoiding delays and low-interest financing, higher output simply makes up for the higher whether from the government, the ratepayers building cost. Smaller plants may be more (in the form of a fee on electric bills), or an appropriate for smaller countries or those international development bank. The riskiest with lower electricity demand. But if these phase of the project is in the planning, with plants are pursued, buyer countries must risk decreasing once construction has begun. understand they will come at the price of Buyer countries should, therefore, have higher operating costs per unit of electricity different financing for different phases. produced. These are the only seven secrets for cheap Fix the price, and don’t allow changes nuclear energy for which strong, supportive during construction. The key to low-cost data is available. While nuclear plant construction is low risk — not the estimated promoters may talk about other elements, total cost. It is better for countries to go such as recycling the fuel, manufacturing with a slightly more expensive builder who more of the plant in factories and using has significantly more experience — and non-light water designs, the advantage these who agrees to a fixed price in exchange for bring is not at all clear cut. a no-changes rule — than one who offers a lower price at a “cost-plus” basis. The key is Nuclear energy is facing significant to avoid disputes between buyer and builder challenges, but it can still achieve its goal of since it is ultimately impossible to resolve providing a growing share of cheap and clean who is right and who is wrong, and the electricity to the world.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 21 World View

Innovation in nuclear is key for a sustainable energy future By William D. Magwood, IV

or most countries, a successful energy takes, nuclear power’s future will require policy is one that fulfils the three pillars innovation to decrease the overall cost of Fof sustainability — security of supply, generation while maintaining high levels of environmental protection and affordability. nuclear safety. In the rapidly evolving electricity market, the value of nuclear power to the energy mix will depend on its capacity to meet current The importance of international and future energy needs — as reflected by cooperation these three pillars. It is evident that meeting The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) launched these expectations will require innovation in the “Nuclear Innovation 2050” (NI2050) nuclear technology. initiative to encourage new cooperative approaches among countries for the purpose Nuclear power plants provide reliable of furthering research and the deployment dispatchable power generation that is of innovative nuclear technologies that transmitted as needed by electricity grid contribute to a sustainable energy mix. William D. Magwood, IV operators day and night, all year around, and This goal is also supported by other NEA is the Director General of the in all weather conditions. Moreover, nuclear initiatives, such as an ongoing study on OECD Nuclear Energy Agency power plants are deployable on a large scale advanced reactor systems as well as work (NEA). to meet the expected increase in demand for jointly carried out with the International carbon-neutral electricity. It is likely that Energy Agency (IEA) on the electricity with the share of variable renewable energy market. increasing substantially, nuclear generation will need to be flexible beyond its traditional The core of NI2050’s approach is to apply baseload operation mode. Increased multilateral strategies to support more flexibility will imply a need for optimization effective deployment of innovative nuclear and innovation in areas such as: reactor technologies. Multilateral approaches and fuel designs; enhanced load-following can create the confidence needed for the capacity of nuclear reactors; the deployment worldwide deployment of innovative of small modular reactors (SMRs); and the technologies through the identification of development of co-generation strategies that priorities, the establishment of solid common can provide additional demand and revenue foundations based on scientific validation streams to plant operators. of technologies and the definition of shared qualification methods to support robust While there is general consensus that nuclear licensing processes. is a clean, low-carbon technology that can address environmental concerns, its ability Because safety is a priority to be “built to adapt to today’s very challenging market in” at the early design stages of any conditions is in question. Such market technological evolution, some level of conditions include a decrease in the costs interaction with authorities and regulators of renewable energy coupled with very is necessary. International collaboration favourable government policies and subsidies among safety bodies is probably one of the towards renewables, as well as a growing most effective ways to get early insight into share of non-conventional sources of fossil the safety aspects of any innovation without fuels such as shale gas without carbon pricing compromising regulatory independence. The in the market. Because electricity markets NEA already offers such a framework by are not structured to reflect these changes in providing a broad platform for discussion technology and policy, these factors reduce through its various specialized committees. the profitability of many existing baseload NI2050 has now selected a set of topical electricity plants, particularly nuclear power areas to develop “10-year programmes of plants. To be sustainable, the electricity action” on accident-tolerant fuels, severe markets must be modernized to ensure long- accident knowledge management, passive term reliability; but whatever path the future safety systems, the management of ageing

22 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 World View

Global electricity generation by source

60 000 600 Other Wind 50 000 500 STE Solar PV 40 000 400 Biofuels and waste h W

h Hydro

30 000 300 / k W 2

T Nuclear O

g C Coal with CCS 20 000 200 Coal Oil 10 000 100 Natural gas with CCS

0 0 Natural gas 2014 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 CO₂ intensity

(Data from Energy Technology Perspectives 2017, International Energy Agency)

TodayThe challenge one third is ofimmense: generated today electricity one-third comes of electricity from low-carbon generated comes sources. from If global low-carbon targets sources. for

COIf global2 emissions targets are for met, CO2 emissionsthis share are would met, increase this share to would nearly increase 85 % by to mid-century. nearly 85% by mid-century.

Source: NEA structures, advanced fuels and materials, emissions. Without sufficient innovation advanced components, fuel cycle chemistry/ capacities, countries using nuclear technology recycling, heat production and cogeneration, may be forced to rely on more technologically modelling and simulation, digitalization innovative countries, with implications and measurements, infrastructures and regarding their sovereignty in the energy demonstrations. By gathering stakeholders field. For this reason, governments need to around shared priorities, NI2050 could trigger pay close attention to the overall strategic innovation in nuclear technology, which is the dimension of nuclear power beyond the most important condition for nuclear energy economic and environmental dimensions. to play a role in the sustainable energy mix of the future. Innovation in nuclear technology today requires increased involvement and Many countries are faced with the challenge cooperation among countries and actors in the of simultaneously dealing with an electricity nuclear sector to harness collective skills and market growing in complexity, increasing means, to create sound and robust confidence demand for electricity and the need to in new technologies, to open the international establish national policies to reduce carbon market and to attract investment.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 23 World View

Harmony — the future of electricity By Agneta Rising

he World Nuclear Association’s Harmony to reduce emissions. However, achieving the programme sets out the global nuclear Harmony goal will only be possible if the Tindustry’s vision for the future of electricity. following objectives are met. It aims to help the world meet the energy challenges arising from the increase in demand for electricity and the need to reduce Level playing field greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. For Nuclear is a proven source of reliable, clean, this purpose, the nuclear industry has set the baseload power with significant benefits. Harmony goal of 25 percent of global electricity However, nuclear power plants are facing in 2050 to be provided by nuclear energy. This financial challenges, resulting in early will require the construction of approximately closures of plants that were performing well 1000 GWe of new nuclear capacity. operationally and limited investment in new ones. A combination of factors, including The Harmony goal is based on the subsidies and priority of dispatch for International Energy Agency’s 2 degree renewable energy, has led to market failure scenario, which aims to avoid the most for nuclear power. Agneta Rising is the Director damaging consequences of climate change General of the World Nuclear and, thus, requires a large increase in the The Harmony objective is to support the Association. production of nuclear energy. To meet establishment of a level playing field in this goal, Harmony envisages a mix of energy markets that recognizes existing low-carbon generating technologies working low-carbon energy resources already in together. place and drives investment in additional clean energy resources where nuclear energy Governments’ current Intended Nationally is treated on an equal level with other Determined Contributions — the climate low-carbon technologies and is recognized actions that countries declared they would for its values in a reliable low-carbon energy take under the Paris Agreement to curb mix. As the only low-carbon generating greenhouse gas emissions — fall significantly resource that can be scaled to meet actual short of the 2 degree target, let alone the aim demand, nuclear power should also receive of reaching 1.5 degrees. The current plan to recognition and compensation for its address climate change is, therefore, not on contribution to system reliability and for track, and urgent additional action is needed other public benefits.

Harmony goal: ready to deliver more nuclear to ensure the 2 degree scenario Harmony goal: ready to deliver more nuclear to ensure 2 degree scenario

1000 gigawatt new nuclear capacity by 2050

25% of electricity supply 2050

Nuclear energy to deliver reliable, affordable and clean electricity

2 Source: WNA

24 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 World View IEA 2 degree scenario: generation IEAmix 2 degree scenario: Generation mix

36000 Other Wind Solar Hydro

24000

Nuclear

12000 Biomass and waste Oil Gas with CCS Gas Coal with CCS Coal

2020 2030 2040 2050

Source: 1945-1979, International Energy Agency databases and analysis; 1980-1912, Energy Information Administration

Harmonized regulatory processes 8 environment, but this is not reflected in Nuclear safety is a national responsibility, public understanding. Therefore, we need and this has led to significant differences to create an effective safety paradigm that in licencing arrangements, with each State focuses on genuine public well-being, where developing its own regulatory framework, the health, environmental and safety risks licencing process and safety requirements. and benefits of nuclear are recognized and While there is a globalized market for assessed objectively alongside those of other new nuclear projects and supply chain, power generation technologies. this internationalization has not spread to regulation and licencing. The harmonization of regulatory processes, safety requirements The need for action and codes and standards would result in While the Harmony goal is ambitious, it is significant benefits for improved new build achievable. In order for nuclear energy to investment, project delivery, reduced costs, reach the Harmony goal and to support the accelerated innovation and increased safety. world in meeting its 2 degree target, a rapid ramp-up of new nuclear builds to an annual Harmony aims to promote harmonized connection rate of 33 GWe within the next regulatory processes to provide a more decade is required, which is comparable internationally consistent, efficient and to the rate achieved in the 1980s. The predictable nuclear licencing regime that main challenges are not in the production allows for standardized solutions to facilitate — although significant strengthening and significant growth of nuclear capacity, building of capability would be required — without compromising safety and security. but in securing the necessary policy support and building confidence.

Effective safety paradigm The World Nuclear Association’s Harmony Despite nuclear energy’s good safety record, programme is a cooperative effort by the a lack of public confidence and trust in some whole nuclear community, working with key countries is restricting its development. stakeholders to take the action necessary for Nuclear energy has one of the lowest nuclear energy to be able to play its crucial overall impacts on human health and the part in meeting the global energy challenge.

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 25 IAEA Updates: News

Revamping food safety in Costa Rica with nuclear technology Costa Rica no longer depends on benefiting from these new analytical animal products and imported food. laboratories abroad to guarantee food services. CIISA, a Costa Rican Thanks to the nuclear techniques, for safety and to stay competitive thanks, company that sells beef and pork in example, the team at LANASEVE in part, to nuclear technology and to the country, the USA, Russia and detected malachite green, a dye that the support of the IAEA and the Food Europe, among others, also depends is both potentially carcinogenic and and Agriculture Organization of the on LANASEVE’s precise nuclear could damage the DNA, in imported United Nations (FAO). and isotopic analytical technology to fish products. After these findings, ensure its products are innocuous and Costa Rica stopped imports from “We analyse 310 samples a month, meet market requirements. these providers. Examples like these 25 percent more than we did two demonstrate why it is necessary years ago,” said Yajaira Salazar, LANASEVE’s enhanced capacity to build national laboratory food- food safety expert at Costa Rica’s to monitor veterinary drug residues testing capabilities, said James Jacob National Laboratory for Diagnosis and related contaminants in animal Sasanya, food safety specialist at the and Research in Animal Health products using nuclear or isotopic Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear (LANASEVE). Salazar and her techniques has not only boosted the Techniques in Food and Agriculture. colleagues have participated in country’s ability to maintain its food several IAEA training courses and export markets to the EU, the USA “Costa Rica has always made fellowships and can now perform and other Latin American countries, efforts to protect public health,” said marine biotoxin analysis and quality but also assisted in capturing newer Bernardo Jaén Hernández, Director management, among others. markers such as China. General of Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA), Pesticides, veterinary drug residues, which LANASEVE is part of. “And heavy metals, marine biotoxins, and International standards to protect public health you need to other organic and inorganic pollutants Having the capacity to ensure food have strong capacities in place to can all contaminate our food. “To safety locally is a game changer for check what the country is producing, detect these, Costa Rica needs the exporters, too. Besides affecting exporting and even importing.” finest, newest technology manned public health, food contamination can by well-trained personnel,” said have a devastating economic impact A new IAEA technical cooperation Marietta Ureña Brenes, Director of on international trade. project will support LANASEVE in LANASEVE. “We need to stay ahead further improving its technical and of the game.” “Globally, technology is getting analytical capabilities, said Raquel better at detecting very small traces Scamilla Aledo, manager of these Since 2015, LANASEVE’s experts of residues in food,” said Mauricio projects at the IAEA. “As one of its have been learning the latest nuclear González, another food safety expert national development priorities, Costa and conventional analytical technology at LANASEVE who has also been Rica has asked for more support in to detect contaminants and residues trained through the IAEA’s technical analysing marine biotoxins, pesticides in food, receiving state-of-the-art cooperation programme. “Which is a and veterinary drugs that are not equipment and expertise through an good thing for consumers, but which included in its current range of tests,” IAEA technical cooperation project. means that codes are getting stricter she said. “It also aims to increase This food safety facelift has helped for exporters.” With today’s rapidly laboratory services to meet new Costa Rica’s consumers, producers and evolving international food safety European Union and other food export exporters alike. laws, Costa Rica has had to adapt. market regulations.”

Using the newly learnt nuclear Jointly with the FAO, the IAEA Fish & cows analytical techniques and equipment, assists countries in adopting nuclear To Costa Rican fish producers, experts at LANASEVE can detect and related techniques that provide a sending samples for analysis to very small traces of contaminants, science-based solution to regulating LANASEVE instead of abroad medicine residue and pesticides in food safety — making analytical means less money and a shorter food samples, meeting international methods available in laboratories turnaround time. While they used to requirements. “The more sensitive worldwide. This also includes food send almost 200 samples a year to the equipment, the better we can irradiation, analysis of various food laboratories in Ecuador and Chile guarantee the absence of any and environmental contaminants as to check for suspicious harmful unwanted products in our food,” well as food authenticity. substances and comply with EU rules, González said. now LANASEVE analyses these in — By Laura Gil Heredia north of San José, saving The new capacities have also helped each producer at least EUR 27 000 LANASEVE open up to other areas, per year. Meat producers are also such as analysing a wider variety of

26 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 IAEA Updates:IAEA News News

Supporting nuclear non-proliferation: Ghana converts research reactor from HEU to LEU fuel

Ghana has successfully completed the “Ensuring the sustainability of MNSR each in Ghana, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan conversion of its only research reactor operation with a LEU core was a key and Syria. They are used primarily for from the use of high enriched uranium success factor of this project,” said education and training purposes. (HEU) fuel to low enriched uranium Christophe Xerri, Director of the IAEA (LEU) fuel, in an international Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Upon the commitment of the Chinese project supported by the IAEA to Waste Technology. “This experience Government, the China Atomic Energy help decrease the proliferation risks offers a good example of international Authority undertook the responsibility associated with HEU fuel. cooperation to foster nuclear science of MNSR conversion first for the and practical training while addressing prototype MNSR in China, and then HEU is an ingredient that can be used non-proliferation concerns and worked with GAEC to complete the to create a nuclear device intended for delivering capacity building.” conversion of GHARR-1 and take malicious use, and since 1978 various back the HEU. national and international activities To ensure successful knowledge have been underway to convert transfer for future conversion research and test reactors from the use projects, a mock-up MNSR vessel IAEA assistance of HEU to LEU fuel, with the aim of was built for operator training at The IAEA’s cooperation with the minimizing and eventually eliminating the GHARR-1 facility. This has MNSR community began in 2006 the civilian use of HEU. since been further developed into with a coordinated research project to a full-scale MNSR Core Removal determine the technical feasibility of Training Centre (CRTC), available for converting them to LEU fuel. The HEU fuel was repatriated training operators from other MNSR to China countries. “The National Nuclear Upon request from Ghana in 2014 The three-year project, which was Security Administration is a strong for assistance in securing a LEU core a joint undertaking of the Ghana supporter of the CRTC concept,” for the country’s GHARR-1 facility, Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), said Dave Huizenga, Acting Deputy the IAEA’s Research Reactor Section the China Atomic Energy Authority Administrator of Defense Nuclear provided support for the conversion and (CAEA), the US Department of Non-proliferation at NNSA. “This removal, carried out review missions at Energy’s National Nuclear Security helps harness experience gained from the GHARR-1 research reactor focusing Administration (DOE/NNSA) and the pilot project in Ghana and offers on safety, offered regulator training on the IAEA, was completed last week. full-scale training possibilities for cask licencing and held workshops on Ghana has become the first of the five the MNSR operators facing similar transport security. countries operating a Chinese-supplied challenges in the future.” Miniature Neutron Source Reactor Nigeria and Syria have also requested (MNSR) to successfully convert and Two meetings were held in the IAEA assistance for conversion repatriate its irradiated HEU core to summer of 2017 to capture lessons and HEU core removal. The China. learned from the implementation of Nigerian project is scheduled to be the project – which could benefit other accomplished in 2018. “With this pioneer engagement Ghana reactors looking to convert to LEU demonstrated the feasibility of the fuel. “Outcomes of these meetings will In Beijing, where the HEU fuel has MNSR conversion outside China,” said build up the Ghana model and support just arrived, Mary-Alice Hayward, Kwame I. J. Aboh, Project Manager similar operations in the future,” said IAEA Deputy Director General, head at GAEC. “We hope our model of Lixin Shen, Deputy Director General of the Management Department, conversion and repatriation can be of China Atomic Energy Authority. represented the Agency at HEU return applied in similar operations in other event that the Chinese authorities countries operating such facilities.” organised today. She stated that “The Chinese-designed MNSRs IAEA was pleased to support our The conversion from HEU to LEU MNSR type research reactors were Member States with the conversion reduces the enrichment level from designed and manufactured by the of Ghana’s MNSR and the return of over 90 percent uranium to below China Institute of Atomic Energy, and its HEU fuel to China. This project 20 percent, without affecting the the original design had a compact core represents a significant milestone in reactor’s research capabilities. with 30 kW thermal powers, containing the broader endeavour to minimize the Therefore, GAEC is still able to about 1 kg of 90 percent enriched HEU. use of HEU in civilian facilities while maintain its scientific research, ensuring continued access to nuclear education, training and industrial Nine Chinese-designed MNSR facilities research and training capabilities.” applications based on nuclear facilities exist: four in China – one of which has following the conversion. been converted to LEU fuel – and one — By Sandor Tozser

IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 | 27 IAEA Updates: Publications

International Status and Prospects for Nuclear Power 2017 analyses the factors which could influence the future of nuclear power, such as funding and financing, electricity markets and public acceptance. It states that if nuclear power’s potential as a low-carbon energy source grows in recognition and advanced reactor designs further improve both safety and radioactive waste management, the use of nuclear power could grow significantly. https://www.iaea.org/About/Policy/GC/GC61/GC61InfDocuments/English/gc61inf-8_en.pdf

Ensuring Robust National Nuclear Safety Systems — Institutional Strength in Depth is intended to provide a philosophy to guide the thinking about the institutional structures necessary to assure nuclear safety. It refers to the three important institutional subsystems – the industry regulator and stakeholders – and describes the interfaces that should be nurtured among these as well as within each subsystem. The publication is intended to serve as a fundamental tool in the continuing efforts to strengthen nuclear safety. INSAG Series No. 27; ISBN: 978-92-0-102317-9; English Edition; 24.00 euro; 2017 http://www-pub.iaea.org/books/iaeabooks/11148/National-Nuclear-Safety-Systems

Nuclear Power and Sustainable Development Nuclear Power and Sustainable Nuclear Power and Sustainable evelopent Power and Sustainable Nuclear evelopent explores the possible contribution of nuclear energy to addressing the issues of sustainable development through a large selection of indicators. It reviews the characteristics of nuclear power in comparison with alternative sources of electricity supply, according to economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability. The findings summarized in this publication will help the reader to consider, or reconsider, the contribution that can be made by the development and operation of nuclear power plants in contributing to more sustainable energy systems.

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC Non-serial Publications; ISBN:978-92-0-107016-6; English Edition; 45.00 euro; 2016 ENERGY AGENCY VIENNA ISBN 978-92-0-107016-6 http://www-pub.iaea.org/books/IAEABooks/11084/Sustainable-Development

Managing the Financial Risk Associated with the Financing of

IAEA Nuclear Energy Series New Nuclear Power Plant Projects Managing the Financial Risk Associated with Financing of New Nuclear Power Plant Projects No. NG-T-4.6 emphasizes how various risks — including those typically considered to be ‘engineering risks’ Basic Managing the Principles Financial Risk — will give rise to financial risks. It then introduces the linkage between efficient financial risk Associated with Objectives the Financing of New Nuclear Power allocation/mitigation and the cost of capital, and sets out a range of mechanisms which can be Guides Plant Projects used to manage and allocate risks efficiently, thereby minimizing the cost of capital and enhancing Technical Reports project economics. At a practical level the publication provides an insight into the concerns, modes of thinking and language which a nuclear new-build proponent may expect to encounter within the @ financing community as they seek to develop their project. IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-T-4.6; ISBN:978-92-0-100317-1; English Edition; 32.00 euro; 2017 http://www-pub.iaea.org/books/IAEABooks/11140/Financial-Risk

The IAEA is a leading publisher in the nuclear field. Its more than 9000 scientific and technical publications include international safety standards, technical guides, conference proceedings and scientific reports. They cover the breadth of the IAEA’s work, focusing on nuclear power, radiation therapy, nuclear safety and security, and nuclear law, among others.

For additional information, or to order a book, please contact: Marketing and Sales Unit, International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Email: [email protected]

28 | IAEA Bulletin, November 2017 ISSN 0020-6067 17-3626