Technical Meeting on Technology Assessment for New Nuclear Power Programmes Vienna, Austria 1–3 September 2015 Ref. No.: 622-I3-TM-50166 Information Sheet A. Background Several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Member States have recently embarked on initiatives to establish or reinvigorate nuclear power programmes in this rapidly evolving industry. One of the most important and difficult of all decisions in the nuclear power plant (NPP) construction process, both for newcomer countries or countries with existing nuclear power programmes, is to select from all the candidate NPP designs the one that best meets their needs. National technical staff involved in this decision process need to perform in-depth technology evaluations of available reactor designs for near term deployment as well as other issues related to NPPs such as coupling for cogeneration and non-electric applications like desalination and district heating. Evaluating and selecting the best technology for any NPP, along with documenting and defending the bases for this decision-making, requires and deserves special attention and technical approaches that are developed on the basis of best practices. In response to this demonstrated need, the IAEA has developed several guidance and technical documents that help to enable Member States identify the complex tasks associated with such an undertaking and to recommend the processes that can be used in the performance of this work. In addition, as an incentive to enhance capacity building for the development of nuclear power infrastructure, the Republic of Korea is supporting this project as part of the IAEA’s Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI). Page 1 of 4 B. Objectives The objectives of this meeting are to enable representatives of countries considering the construction of new NPPs to become aware of the latest NPP technologies available, hear from experienced technology holders about their lessons learned, and learn how to evaluate nuclear reactor technologies and designs. The meeting should enable national technical staff involved in the planning, technology assessment, and decision processes to advance their country’s nuclear capacity in an informed, logical manner. C. Expected Output Upon completion of this meeting, participants should be able to: Know what reactor systems are currently available or close to being available for near term deployment; Know how to assemble a technology assessment team of competent experts in requisite disciplines, with due consideration for the size and complexity of the project and how to gather and refine objective expert opinions so that pertinent data can be collected and processed into information useful in assessing technology options; Consider various generally acceptable decision-making methodologies and how to choose from among them; Present results of the reactor technology assessment to higher authority for further consideration by decision-makers; Discuss how reactor technology assessment fits into the national infrastructure milestones delineated in Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1, Vienna, 2007) with respect to feasibility study, bid invitation specifications, evaluations of bids and pre-construction decision-making; and Understand and use Nuclear Reactor Technology Assessment for Near Term Deployment (IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NP-T-1.10, Vienna, 2013). D. Administrative and Financial Arrangements Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and will at that time be given full details on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters. The costs of the meeting are borne by the IAEA; no registration fee is charged to participants. Travel and subsistence expenses of participants will not be borne by the IAEA. Limited funds are, however, available to help meet the cost of attendance of certain participants. Such assistance may be offered upon specific request to normally one participant per country provided that, in the IAEA’s view, the participant on whose behalf assistance is requested will make an important contribution to the meeting. The application for financial support should be made at the time of designating the participant. Page 2 of 4 The organizers of the meeting do not accept liability for the payment of any cost or compensation that may arise from damage to or loss of personal property, or from illness, injury, disability or death of a participant while he/she is travelling to and from or attending the meeting, and it is clearly understood that each Government, in designating participants, undertakes responsibility for such coverage. Governments would be well advised to take out insurance against these risks. E. Application Procedure Designations should be submitted using the attached Participation Form. Completed forms should be endorsed by the competent national authority (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA, or National Atomic Energy Authority) and returned through the established official channels. They must be received by the IAEA not later than 10 July 2015. Designations received after that date or applications sent directly by individuals or by private institutions cannot be considered. Designating Governments will be informed in due course of the names of the selected candidates and at that time full details will be given on the procedures to be followed with regard to administrative and financial matters. For Member States receiving technical cooperation assistance, applications for financial support should be made at the time of designating the participant. F. Working Language The working language of the meeting will be English with no interpretation provided. All communications, abstracts and papers must be submitted in this language. G. Venue The meeting will commence on Tuesday, 1 September 2015. Exact details of the venue will follow in direct correspondence between the IAEA and the participants. H. Visas Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria as soon as possible. I. Local Arrangements The meeting will be held at the IAEA’s Headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and will start on Tuesday, 1 September 2015, at 9.30 a.m. and end on Thursday, 3 September 2015, at 3.00 p.m. The meeting agenda and local details, together with information on local arrangements, will be sent to designated participants once the completed Participation Forms have been received. Page 3 of 4 J. Organization Official correspondence with regard to the technical aspects of the meeting should be addressed to the Scientific Secretary: Mr Mark J. Harper Nuclear Power Technology Development Section Division of Nuclear Power Department of Nuclear Energy International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box 100 1400 VIENNA AUSTRIA Tel.: +43 1 2600 22865 Fax: +43 1 26007 Email: [email protected] Official correspondence with regard to administrative issues should be addressed to the Administrative Secretary: Ms Paula Houser Nuclear Power Technology Development Section Division of Nuclear Power Department of Nuclear Energy International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna International Centre PO Box 100 1400 VIENNA AUSTRIA Tel.: +43 1 2600 25795 Fax: +43 1 26007 Email: [email protected] Page 4 of 4