Report to Congress
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Status Report Ten Years of Safety Improvements Office of International Nuclear Safety and Cooperation U.S. Department of Energy 2003 Foreword Introduction from Dr. James Turner I am pleased to report that over the past decade significant strides have been made to improve the safety of Soviet-designed nuclear power plants. From fire protection to operator training, from maintenance practices to safety equipment, together we have been working to reduce the risks of nuclear accidents. Although the first responsibility for safety rests with the host-country operators, nuclear safety will always be an international issue. The effects a major nuclear accident can extend far beyond an individual nation’s borders. A serious accident abroad likely would have a significant negative impact on America’s energy security since nuclear power currently provides about 20% of our electricity needs. Safety improvements have been accomplished through extensive collaborative efforts with our colleagues in Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Our scientific and technical staff collaborated with these countries to improve the safety of their reactor operations by strengthening the ability of the regulator to perform its oversight function, installing safety equipment and technologies, investing time in safety training, and working diligently to establish an enduring safety culture. We recognize that nuclear power plants are a major source of electricity and heat in these countries, and that they also provide a major source of employment. Crucial to the success of this program has been our coordination with ministries in these countries and U.S. federal agencies – the Department of State, the Agency for International Development, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission – to ensure our program understands the larger context within each country and supports broader U.S. interests. We have seen a considerable change in the attitudes and approaches of plant operators and regulatory bodies, who now support safe nuclear operations much more than before. Despite economic constraints, many nations have invested considerable internal resources to upgrade the plants to improve safety. These improvements now must become self-sustaining, and I believe they will. I am proud of the international nuclear safety work that has been accomplished by the many individuals from NNSA and DOE, the national laboratories, U.S. and foreign contractors, and the host-country staff who actively support nuclear safety improvements. The following information displays the successes of all those involved. Sincerely, Richard A. Reister, Director Office of International Nuclear Safety National Nuclear Security Administration U.S. Department of Energy Status Report 2003 iii This report is organized into two main parts. Part I provides a general overview of the program, the objectives of the program, and a brief discussion regarding the improvements in safety performance at these plants. Part II provides a summary of activities that have been completed, are in progress, or are planned at each of the Soviet-designed nuclear power plant sites. This information is presented on a reactor-by- reactor basis. Part II is organized by participating country starting with the Central and Eastern European countries, followed by Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Status Report 2003 iv Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................... iii Part I – Program Description............................................................................................................... 1 Overview............................................................................................................................................... 3 RBMK ............................................................................................................................................ 3 VVER-440/230............................................................................................................................... 4 VVER-440/213............................................................................................................................... 4 VVER-1000.................................................................................................................................... 4 Preface .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Strategy ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Goals ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Selection of Projects ............................................................................................................................. 8 International Nuclear Safety Projects ................................................................................................... 9 Operational Safety.......................................................................................................................... 9 Simulators and Training ................................................................................................................. 10 Safety Maintenance ........................................................................................................................ 11 Safety Systems ............................................................................................................................... 13 Safety Assessments ........................................................................................................................ 14 Legal and Regulatory Infrastructure............................................................................................... 15 Overview of Program Performance ...................................................................................................... 15 Improvements in Safety ........................................................................................................................ 16 Part II – Safety Improvement Projects at Each Plant........................................................................... 19 Central and Eastern European Countries .............................................................................................. 21 Bulgaria .......................................................................................................................................... 23 Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant................................................................................................ 25 Czech Republic............................................................................................................................... 29 Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant............................................................................................... 31 Temelin Nuclear Power Plant .................................................................................................. 33 Hungary.......................................................................................................................................... 35 Paks Nuclear Power Plant........................................................................................................ 37 Lithuania......................................................................................................................................... 39 Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant .................................................................................................. 41 Slovakia.......................................................................................................................................... 45 Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant ................................................................................................ 47 Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant............................................................................................... 49 Status Report 2003 v Armenia ................................................................................................................................................ 51 Armenia Nuclear Power Plant........................................................................................................ 53 Kazakhstan............................................................................................................................................ 57 Aktau BN-350 Nuclear Power Plant .............................................................................................. 59 Russian Nuclear Power Plants .............................................................................................................. 61 Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant....................................................................................................... 63 Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant...................................................................................................... 67 Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant......................................................................................................... 69 Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant.......................................................................................................... 71 Kola Nuclear Power Plant