World Nuclear Association Update

Two WNA Working Groups – Nuclear Law & Contracting and CORDEL – are cooperating to identify best practises in licensing and permitting for nuclear new build. The Joint Task Force on Licensing & Permitting has devised a survey to collect industry views on the relationship between nuclear new build projects and licensing/permitting processes. The survey focuses on the interaction between regulatory processes and the industry's commercial activities relating to new build, such as scheduling, procurement, contracting and finance. 

WNA will be providing further details about this survey to our member company principle representatives. If you are involved in nuclear new build projects – whether from the vantage of a utility, supplier, advisor, financier, or otherwise – we would welcome your participation in this survey and your perspective and insight as we seek to streamline the new build process. If you are interested in participating in the survey, please contact [email protected].

The deadline for applications to the World Nuclear University Summer Insitute 2012 is approaching for those applicants with financial support confirmed (either through their company or through a sponsor). The final date for receipt of applications is 6th January 2012. 

The World Nuclear University is a partnership created in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Atoms for Peace initiative, which gave birth to the IAEA. The WNU mission is to support the beneficial use of nuclear technology by uniting industry, academia and inter-governmental organizations in efforts to strengthen nuclear education and leadership.

The most prominent WNU activity is the WNU Summer Institute, a six-week leadership development programme for young, high-potential nuclear professionals held at Christ Church College, Oxford, UK.

 

WNU SI 2011 Fellows 

The Summer Institute programme is designed to expand participants’ horizons across the full spectrum of issues surrounding nuclear energy. Built on a foundation of instruction from some of the world's foremost leaders in science, engineering and the global environment, the programme is augmented by team-building exercises and a week-long technical tour of nuclear and related facilities. The programme is aimed at nuclear professionals between 27 and 37 years of age.

Details of the full range of WNU programmes, and further information about applying to the Summer Institute can be found on our website (http://www.world-nuclear-university.org/default.aspx)
 

The World Nuclear Association is pleased to welcome a number of new members companies, bringing the total number of WNA members to 200.

CGNPC Uranium Resources Co 
CGN-URC supplies fuel for the nuclear power generating units of CGNPC. CGN-URC are involved in the civil nuclear fuel market, domestic and overseas exploration, development and operation activities of uranium resources, as well as the import and export of uranium products, and provides related services.

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited 
Established in Hong Kong over a century ago, CLP has a significant presence in five markets today, with operations in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Australia, India, Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Electricity generated at CLP's power stations in Hong Kong is delivered to customers through a transmission and distribution network that is owned and operated by CLP Power Hong Kong. Their network includes around 13,800 kilometers of overhead, underground and submarine cables that feed into around 13,400 substations. CLP Power Hong Kong achieves a supply reliability of 99.99%, which is among the highest industry standards around the world.

Deep Yellow Limited
Deep Yellow Limited is an ASX-listed advanced-stage uranium exploration company operating in the southern African nation of Namibia and in Australia. It also has a listing on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). The Company’s primary focus is in Namibia, where exploration is conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary Reptile Uranium Namibia (Pty) Ltd. DYL’s flagship Omahola Project has a JORC compliant resource of 52 million tonnes at 338 ppm for 38.6 Mlbs U3O8 from four deposits, INCA, Ongolo Alaskite, MS7 and Tubas Red Sand (TRS).

Edgen Murray CorporationIn addition to the most comprehensive inventory of high performance steel products, Edgen Murray provides the energy sector with a unique combination of engineering knowledge and global logistics infrastructure and support. They provide chrome and nickel alloy, high yield stainless components, fittings and valves for all forms of power generation

Global Atomic Fuels  
Global Atomic Fuels Corporation is a private Canadian resource company founded in January 2005 by former senior executives of Denison Mines Limited. Global has acquired 6 contiguous concessions covering approximately 3,000 square kilometres in the Agadez Region of central Niger. These concessions give Global the right to explore for uranium and other minerals on the property. Niger is the fifth largest uranium producing country in the world. The Global concessions cover part of a large regional trend of uranium producers, advanced uranium projects and uranium showings.

PGE Energia Jadrowa S.A.
The development of nuclear power engineering is an opportunity for Poland to meet the rising demand for electricity supplied at reasonable prices. At the beginning of 2009 the Polish government entrusted PGE with a mission to develop nuclear power generation in Poland. The investment plans of PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A. include the construction of two nuclear power plants, with a capacity of about 3,000 MW each. Establishment of PGE Energia Jądrowa S.A. in December 2009 was one of the steps undertaken by PGE to execute the initial schedule’s assumptions. PGE Energia Jądrowa S.A. is a pillar of the Nuclear Power Generation business line within PGE Capital Group. This company is responsible for implementation of comprehensive tasks related to the construction of nuclear power plants. These duties include, among other things, analysis of best practices in preparation and execution of the construction of nuclear power plants in selected European countries.

Reviss 
A world leader in the manufacture and supply of sealed radiation sources, radioisotope technologies and services. These range from cobalt-60 sources for sterilization of medical devices and caesium-137 sources for blood irradiation through to cobalt-60 sources for gamma knife application, sealed sources for oil well logging, process gauging and many other industrial applications. We also supply a range of specialist raw materials to OEM users.

Trade Tech Energy
Trade Tech Energy  specializes  in nuclear fuel trading, nuclear finance  and nuclear market consulting services.

UCL Australia
The UCL School of Energy and Resources, Australia (UCL SERAus) is an integral part of University College London, one of the foremost academic institutions in the world. UCL SERAus is UCL's first ever overseas campus, and students are provided with many opportunities to interact with their colleagues in London. UCL SERAus, develops the management talent that will help the industry meet the challenges of the future energy industry. The goal of UCL SERAus is to give students a broad and deep understanding of the complexities of the industry and the specialised technical knowledge to have a real impact – to pursue sector management careers and shape the energy and resources industry of the future.

WSP Group
WSP is a global design engineering and management consultancy specialising in Property, Transport & Infrastructure, Industry and Environment projects. WSP works with clients worldwide to create built and natural environments for the future. WSP designs sustainability strategies and delivers integrated energy solutions for some of the world’s most renowned blue chip corporations. WSP works with national and international businesses to address important issues related to the carbon agenda, climate change and sustainability.

The World Nuclear Association is the official partner for the Nuclear Power Asia 2012 conference, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 31 January - 1 February next year. The conference will together nuclear stakeholders at the region’s largest nuclear power event, with 250 attendees, 40 global nuclear expert speakers and 20 exhibitors expected to attend. 

The conference will look at key questions including: 

• How to embark on long-term capacity building for future NPP Owner/Operator?
• What are the challenges in developing nuclear power infrastructure and are there
new approaches to address such challenges?
• Reactor design - the new safety assessment criteria; how much have things changed?
• Has it become more “expensive” to finance nuclear new build?

The conference programme features a strong mix of international and regional experts. The opening keynote session will be moderated by WNA Director General John Ritch. 

More details can be found on the conference website at www.nuclearpowerasia.com 

WNA has drafted a new set of nuclear fuel safety criteria – these are specifically tailored for industry players involved with the development of new fuels that can offer higher safety margins, thereby addressing one of the concerns deriving from the Fukushima accident. WNA is cooperating with the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in this effort.

The CORDEL Working Group has launched a Pilot Project on harmonisation of mechanical codes and standards in two areas of priority:

1. The stress allowables and analysis methods used in the design of pressure equipment
2. Qualifications of welding and NDE/T operators.

The pilot project is to be run in agreement with the Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs) and Regulators (MDEP CSWG members).

WNA member companies wishing to support this initiative are invited to nominate experts to help with delivering the scope of the Pilot Project.

If your company is in a position to contribute, please contact CORDEL secretariat, further information is on the WNA Member's website.

WNA's Ian Emsley participated in the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Uranium Fuel Seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona (24-26 October). An address by Commissioner William Magwood (NRC) provided an opportunity for NEI members to obtain clarification of the NRC policy and approach. The NEI was able to record that nuclear power has largely recovered its overall favourable rating in US public opinion, while a number of presentations pointed to the difficulties and increased costs of mining uranium in the US and elsewhere.

 
The Co-operation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) Working Group is continuing to advance its goals of international standardization of nuclear reactor designs and is currently working on developing new reports on industry’s best practices, for example in the area of licensing and on the allocation of vendor-operator responsibilities for managing design changes during operation. A new Pilot Project on harmonization of mechanical codes and standards has started and members’ input is urgently required.

One of the main purposes of CORDEL remains to be representation of the industry vis-a-vis regulatory initiatives, primarily the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP is a group of regulators of 10 countries which are engaged in design reviews for new nuclear build). Representatives from CORDEL led a special discussion session on industry initiatives and standardization at the MDEP conference 15-16 September in Paris where over 120 nuclear regulatory and industry experts met to discuss impressive accomplishments of the MDEP and the future of global nuclear safety.

There are currently five active Task Forces in CORDEL where WNA members are welcome to join in: 

• IAEA nuclear safety standards: continuous participation in revision of nuclear reactor design related safety standards. 
• Design Change Management Task Force (TF): developing institutional mechanisms in the industry to enable compliance with standardization throughout standard fleet’s lifetime 
• Standards and codes TF: cooperation with SDOs of various countries in convergence of industry codes
• Probabilistic safety goals TF: promotion of harmonization of industry’s methodologies and values 
• Licensing and permitting TF: industry interests – efficiency & risks reduction; also in support of emerging markets (this is a joint CORDEL-NLC WGs task force).
   

 

 
WNA representatives are participating in a number of INPRO meetings at the IAEA in Vienna this week. INPRO (The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles) was established in 2000 to help ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute to meeting the energy needs of the 21st century in a sustainable manner. 

Danielle Goodman, from WNA member company Planergie, is taking a key role in an INPRO Dialogue Forum on Small and Medium-Sized Reactors. WNA's Jonathan Cobb is participating in the INPRO SYNERGIES meeting, which is looking at how international collaboration could have advantages for the development of sustainable nuclear fuel cycles. A number of representatives from WNA member companies are also participating in both meetings. More information on INPRO can be found on the IAEA's INPRO website.

 

The 2011 International Nuclear Energy Olympiad was held this week in Seoul. Ten finalist teams presented their Plans for Gaining Public Acceptance of Nuclear Power in their country. Three were from countries not yet having nuclear power. All were students, in teams of two, most ranging in age from 19 to 26.

The judging panel comprised two eminent academics from South Korea, one person from WNU, and one from WNA. (Dr SoonHeung Chang, Dr ChangSup Choi, Mr Francois Perchet and Ian Hore-Lacy).

The result was very close, but Canada took top prize narrowly from South Korea and Turkey. Following up were Malaysia, Russia and India. Each had to present a paper, then a 15-minute Powerpoint and answer questions from the judges. The presentations were closely geared to the cultural and social situations in each country, and were expected to do more than suggesting new ways to communicate facts.

The Olympiad was initiated and hosted by the Korean Nuclear Energy Promotion Agency (KONEPA) and put on under the auspices of the World Nuclear University.

See the WNN report for more information.