IAEA Activities on Advanced Reactor Technology & Areas of ... Documents/14t… · Using open source tools. Using facilities like CROCUS and LOTUS. Collaborating Centre with EPFL-Switzerland

Stefano MontiSection Head

IAEA Activities on Advanced Reactor Technology &Areas of Cooperation with GIF

Recent NPTDS publications

Recent NPTDS publications

Forthcoming Publications on FR

• TECDOC: Sodium Coolant Handbook: Physical and Chemical Properties

• TECDOC: Sodium Coolant Handbook: Thermal-Hydraulic Correlations

• TECDOC: Modelling and Simulation of Source Term for Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor under Hypothetical Severe Accident

• TECDOC: Structural Materials for Heavy Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Reactors

Forthcoming Publications on HTR

• TECDOC: Description of benchmark experiments at the ASTRA facility on the definition of the spatial distribution of 235U fission reaction rates

• TECDOC: Improving the Understanding of Irradiation Creep Behaviour in Nuclear Graphite Part 1: Models and Mechanisms (Final report of a CRP)

• TECDOC: Discussion of Nuclear-Grade Graphite Oxidation in Modular High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors

• TECDOC: High Temperature Reactor Application for Mineral Processing: Final report of a coordinated research project: 2015–2018

• NES: Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor Safety Design Criteria

• TECDOC: Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor Safety Design Methodology and Implementation Examples (Final report of a CRP)

• TECDOC: High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Physics, Thermal-Hydraulics and Depletion Uncertainty Analysis (Final report of a CRP)

• TECDOC on the Status of Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) Technology

Forthcoming Publications on SMR

• NES: Technology Roadmap for SMR Deployment

• TECDOC: Options to Enhance Energy Supply Security using Hybrid Energy Systems based on SMRs – Synergizing Nuclear and Renewables

• TECDOC: Benefits and Challenges of Fast Reactors of the SMR Type

• 2020 Edition of the Booklet on SMR, Supplement to ARIS DB

Forthcoming Publications on IES + Others

• NES: Guidance on Nuclear Energy Cogeneration

• NES: Vendor and User Responsibility in Nuclear Cogeneration Projects

• NES: Nuclear-Renewables Hybrid Energy Systems

• NES: Summary Review on the Application of Computation Fluid Dynamics in Nuclear Power Plant Design

• NES: Reactor Technology Assessment for Near Term Deployment, Rev. 1

• New Edition of the ALWR Booklet, supplement to the ARIS DB

NPTDS E-Learning CoursesE-Learning on Nuclear Cogeneration

E-Learning planned and under development

SMR

1 Introduction + history of LWRs2 Safety design Approach3 LWR Licensing4 Fuel5 Reactor design6 Reactor systems7 Material performance8 I&C ?

9 Fission products behavior ?10 LWR Accidents11 Accident analysis tools

HTR

1 Introduction + history of HTGRs2 Safety design Approach3 HTGR Licensing4 Graphite5 TRISO Fuel6 Prismatic HTGR7 Pebble bed HTGR8 Reactor systems9 HT material performance

10 I&C ?11 Fission products behavior ?12 HTGR Accidents13 Accident analysis tool

Webinar Series on Nuclear Technology Breakthroughs for the 21st Century

Conducted:400 participants50 country

www.iaea.org/nptd-webinars

… Webinar #7 on Molten Salt Reactors (August 27th)

On-going NPTDS CRPs

WCR• Advancing the State-of-Practice in Uncertainty and Sensitivity Methodologies for Severe Accident

Analysis in Water Cooled Reactors • Developing a Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) and a Validation Matrix, and

Performing a Benchmark for In-Vessel Melt Retention• Methodology for Assessing Pipe Failure Rates in Advanced Water Cooled Reactors• Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) Benchmark for Multi-Unit/Multi-Reactor Sites

FR• Benchmark Analysis of FFTF Unprotected-Loss-of-Flow Test• Neutronics Benchmark of CEFR Start-Up Tests

SMR/HTGR• Development of Approaches, Methods and Criteria for determining Technical Basis for Emergency

Planning Zone for SMR Deployment• Design and Performance Assessment of Non-Electric Engineered Safety features in Advanced SMR

Non-electric applications• Assessing Technical and Economic Aspects of Nuclear Hydrogen Production for Near-term

Deployment

CRPs to be launched• Technologies to Enhance the Competitiveness and Early Deployment of

SMRs & HTRs (4/2021 – 3/2024);– Provides a forum for R&D with the objective to facilitate MS with the formulation of

innovative solutions to make SMRs / HTRs more attractive viable option to diverse markets

• Economic Appraisal of SMR Projects: Methodology and Applications –led by NEPIK/PESS (12/2020 – 12/2023);

– Aims at providing MS with a framework for the economic appraisal of SMR development and deployment;

– Issues covered: SMR economic competitiveness vs non-nuclear; market research; cost-benefit analysis; financing key metrics and LCOE

Modelling and

Simulations

Education and Training

Experimental Reactor Physics

Using open source tools

Using facilities like CROCUS and

LOTUS

Collaborating Centre with EPFL-SwitzerlandAdvanced reactor experiments and high-fidelity multi-physics nuclear simulation techniques for open-source code development and validation

Framework & Objectives of the CC with EPFL-Switzerland• Several years of work on the creation of a modern open-source platform for

reactor analysis, based on the OpenFOAM numerical library– The solver, named GeN-Foam, is currently used and co-developed by a group of institutions

worldwide

– Based on this experience and work, EPFL launched in 2018 "foam-for-nuclear" a pilot project aimed at gathering, further promoting and coordinating the research activities devoted to the development and use of GeN-Foam

• Promoting coordinated research activities in the area of development of open source codes for nuclear applications

• Conducting various experiments at their research facilities to create different benchmarking databases for code validation

• Co-organizing workshops, training courses etc., including creation of material (electronic/physical) for education and training activities

• NEW: The HTGR integrated code package (HCP, the modern version replacing all the traditonal well known codes such as VSOP, TINTE, THERMIX, PANAMA and FRESCO) is being transferred from the Research Centre Juelich and to be included in the Open Source Platform

IAEA Collaborating Centre with Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)

forResearch, Development and Capacity Building for Multidisciplinary Applications

of Advanced and Innovative Nuclear Technologies

Framework and Objectives of the CC with PIEAS - Pakistan

• PIEAS is a well known institution and very well recognized for its

technical contribution to IAEA and international projects.

• Creation of the consistent and organized framework for supporting

the advancements and innovation in reactor designs and their

synergies with renewable energy systems inclusive of reactor

numerical modelling and simulations, creation of new experimental

data and development of corresponding simulators, technical and

educational publications, will provide a rich environment for

information exchange and knowledge sharing with the IAEA Member

States.

• The experimental facilities to contribute additional validation data for

the developed models as well as hands-on practical experience,

especially for emerging nuclear countries and nuclear newcomer

states.

• The associated extensive activities on education and training to

contribute to accelerated human capacity building in the field of

multidisciplinary application of advanced and innovative nuclear

technologies.

eLearning Modules

NPTDS Meetings of interest to GIF(June 2019 ~ December 2019)

Meeting Date

Technical Meeting on Assessing the Deployment of Small and Medium Sized or Modular Reactors and High Temperature Reactors for Cogeneration Applications

(Scientific Secretary: Ibrahim Khamis)

2-4 September 2019Vienna

Technical Meeting on the Benefits and Challenges of Fast Reactors of the SMR Type

(Scientific Secretary: Vladimir Kriventsev)

24-27 September 2019Milano, Italy

Joint ICTP–IAEA Workshop on the Physics and Technology of Innovative High Temperature Nuclear Energy Systems

(Scientific Secretary: Frederik Reitsma)

14-18 October 2019Trieste, Italy

Technical Meeting on Structural Materials for Heavy Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Reactors


15-17 October 2019Vienna, Italy

16

NPTDS Meetings of interest to GIF(June 2019 ~ December 2019)Meeting DateSecond Research Coordination Meeting of the CRP on Neutronics Benchmark of CEFR Start-Up Tests


28 October – 1 November 2019Bejing, China

Technical Working Group on Gas Cooled Reactors


11 – 13 November 2019Vienna

Technical Meeting on the Competitiveness and Early Deployment of Small Modular Reactors and High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors


13 – 15 November 2019Vienna

Technical Meeting on the Design, Experimental Validation and Operation of Small and Medium Sized or Modular Reactors


18 – 22 November 2019Islamabad, Pakistan

Joint IAEA–GIF Technical Meeting on the Safety of High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors


9 – 11 December 2019Vienna, Austria

17

NPTDS Meetings of interest to GIF(January 2020 ~ December 2020)

Meeting DateTechnical Meeting on Potential Schemes for Licensing Nuclear Cogeneration Plants


01 – 03 September 2020Vienna

Second Research Coordination Meeting on Assessing Technical and Economic Aspects of Nuclear Hydrogen Production for Near Term Deployment


19 – 21 October 2020Vienna

Consultants Meeting to develop the publication on the responsibilities of users and vendors in nuclear desalination projects


22 – 23 October 2020Vienna

Technical Meeting on Assessing Technologies that Enable Nuclear Power to Produce Hydrogen


07 – 09 December 2020Vienna

18

NPTDS Meetings of interest to GIF(January - December 2020)

19

Meeting Date and VenueConsultancy Meeting on Developing the TECDOC on the Status of Molten Salt Reactor Technology

(Scientific Secretary: Gerardo Martinez-Guridi)

VIRTUAL21 – 23 July 2020

Third Research Coordination Meeting on Development SMR EPZ;(Scientific Secretary: Frederik Reitsma, Jim Anderson, M. Santini)Consider postponement

3-6 August 2020VIC

Third Meeting of the Technical Working Group on Small and Medium Sized or Modular Reactors(Scientific Secretary: Frederik Reitsma)Consider postponement

31 Aug – 2 Sept 2020VIC

Technical Meeting on the IAEA Nuclear Graphite Knowledge Base(Scientific Secretary: Hadid Subki)

5-6 November 2020

Consultancy Meeting on Development of Generic User Requirements and Criteria (GURC)(Scientific Secretary: Hadid Subki)

11-13 November 2020

NPTDS Meetings of interest to GIF(2020 meetings postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19)

20

Meeting Old DateWorkshop on High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor

(Scientific Secretary: Frederik Reitsma / Hadid Subki)

13 – 17 July 2020Postponed 2021

Consultancy Meeting on the HTGR Basic Educational Training Simulator Development and Implementation(Scientific Secretary: Frederik Reitsma / Hadid Subki / Sarah Bouchet)

10-11 August 2020Postponed 2021

Technical Meeting on the Status, Design Features, Technology Challenges and Deployment Models of Microreactors


20-23 July 2020Postponed 2021

Second Joint IAEA–GIF Technical Meeting on the Safety of High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (Scientific Secretary: Hadid Subki) - lead to be taken by NSNI post 2021

2-4 December 2020(possibly postponed to 2021)

Stefano Monti On behalf of the three Scientific Secretaries

Purpose:

• To provide a forum for the exchange of information on the role of nuclear power, and on the opportunities and challenges of safe, secure and safeguarded nuclear technology development in supporting the low-carbon energy transformation needed to achieve the climate change goals.

https://www.iaea.org/events/climate-change-conference-2019

Topics/Tracks: • Advancing energy policies that achieve the climate

change goals.• Shaping the future of the nuclear industry in regulated and

deregulated energy markets to address climate change• The increasing contribution of nuclear power in the

mitigation of climate change, including synergies with other low-carbon power generation sources

• Development and deployment of advanced nuclear power technologies to increase the use of low-carbon energy.

• Enhancing international cooperation and partnership in nuclear power deployment.

• Public and non-nuclear stakeholders’ perception of the role of nuclear power in climate change mitigation.

• Plenary on Nuclear Safety and Security

The Conference in Numbers:

• 526 participants• From 79 MSs and 17 international organizations• 1100 downloads of the IAEA Conference and Meetings App to

devices• 120 papers, 125 speakers: 9 plenary sessions and 18 parallel

sessions • 8 side events organized by China, France, UK, USA, an NGO and

the IAEA• Organized by the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy in

cooperation with OECD-NEA• SciSecs: Wei Huang (lead), Andrea Borio di Tigliole, Stefano

Monti

Side Events: • China: Nuclear for Climate Change, China’s Solution• France: Low Carbon Energy Systems Based on Nuclear &

Renewables International Expertise & National Best Practices• UK: Advanced Nuclear Innovation and Climate Change: UK

Perspectives• USA: Millennial Nuclear Caucus• Third Way: Through the Climate Lens: Growing Support for a

Technology Inclusive Approach• IAEA: PowerInvest: Insights into the Costs and Benefits Attached

to Investments in the Power Sector• IAEA: Infographics: IAEA Data Visualization Challenge• IAEA: Capacity Building in Support of SDGs on Energy and

Climate

Scientific contributions

• 130 papers• 45 different countries + 3 organizations

21

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2

13

1 1

5

1 12

1

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2 2

15

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32

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14

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Bang

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Total per country

Total

High Level Speakers (IGO&MS)

• High Level Speakers IGOs:

C. Feruta A-DG of IAEA M. Chudakov DDG-NE IAEA W. D. Magwood DG of OECD/NEA Z. Liu Under-Secretary

UNDESA H. Lee Chair IPCC L. Yong DG of UNIDO A. Rising DG of WNA F. Birol DG of IEA P. Espinosa Executive Secretary

UNFCCC

High level representatives from Member States:

High-level (ministerial or equivalent level): Argentina Bangladesh Brazil China Egypt France Hungary India Morocco Mongolia Russian Federation UK USA

General Preliminary Considerations

• There is a consensus among the international community of climate scientists that humans are influencing the global climate and this anthropogenic impact is increasing in intensity

• Some Member States, both with high and low incomes, are already facing severe impacts from climate change and bear significant social and economic losses

• Energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 1.7 percent in 2018 compared to 2017• Two-thirds of this increase stemmed from fossil fuel burning in the power sector• Stronger alignment between broad energy policies and climate action plans is

needed• Adequate regulatory measures and more climate-resilient designs of energy

infrastructures are needed to adapt to changing climate conditions.• Energy efficiency gains must be prioritized • Decarbonization of the electricity sector should be placed at the heart of the climate

strategies• It is not only about power production: clean energy is also critical for the

decarbonization of end-uses sectors such as industries and transport• Every low carbon technology should be deployed “simultaneously”

Energy Policies

• Robust energy planning is essential for developing low carbon strategies/NDCs/LEDS; rigorous planning tools are critical to support this process

• Countries already operating NPPs in general recognize the potential of nuclear energy to avoid CO2 emissions and meet national climate objectives

• Countries with increasing electricity needs are also often considering to expand their nuclear programme/capacity

• Emerging economies look to nuclear as a means to provide abundant and reliable energy which will simultaneously enable decarbonization of the economy. The larger among them, with stronger manufacturing sectors, are constructing NPPs and have included the nuclear energy contribution to their NDCs.

• Others continue to consider nuclear as an option that would be viable for their economy in the future, based on the forecasted demand factors and environmental constraints.

• Some Member States may not be able to integrate large nuclear projects in the near future, due to existing grid size, a lack of domestic demand or financing issues.

Regulated vs. Deregulated Energy Markets• Construction cost and lead-time of recent nuclear projects show a contrasting

outcome in different areas of the world • Cost overruns and scheduling delays occurred where there was a lack of recent

experience in construction and the need to rebuild a supply chain• Access to credit and securing financing solutions for new nuclear projects are key

challenges• In regulated markets many new nuclear plants have been built on time and on

budget• Key aspects to reduce the cost and uncertainty of nuclear projects: long-term

commitment to a sizeable nuclear program, adoption of a proven design, implementation of the best industrial and project management practices, establishment of an experienced construction team and a reliable supply chain, technology innovation

• Both in regulated and deregulated markets, governments have an important role to play at all stages of a nuclear programme

• A regional approach, as well as the deployment of smaller nuclear units, is often seen as a means to improve nuclear attractiveness and ability of finance new projects

Current NP Fleet and Synergies with other Carbon-Free Energy Sources• Maintaining the operations of the current fleet is critical to meet climate objectives• Extending the lifetime of existing NPPs remains a priority for many countries• The Long Term Operation (LTO) of nuclear power plants has been implemented in

various countries, allowing opportunities to engage new staff, involve the local community, create supply chains and provide innovative solutions

• For both life extension and new installations licensing processes need to be fast-tracked and investors need to have confidence that the government’s commitment will be long lasting

• Hybrid energy systems integrating nuclear and renewable generation technologies with electric and non-electric applications, as well as the use of traditionally rejected “waste” heat, offer a good opportunity to answer energy market challenges while meeting grid demand in a “load-dynamic” manner

• These new systems must be optimized, both in system design and in their real-time dispatch of energy, such that they are tailored to best utilize regional resources and infrastructure in meeting various energy demands within the intended energy market.

Advanced Nuclear Power Technologies• Designing innovative reactors which are different from existing technology require

a different strategic roadmap, a different time horizon and, in some cases, a different approach

• Notably most of the concepts which are attracting private sector investments, also for their development, are advanced reactors

• High temperature reactors represent a near term deployable solution for enhancing nuclear hydrogen production. This is an additional opportunity to decarbonize the energy sector.

• Fast reactors can use depleted uranium and over time could significantly reduce the need for uranium mining and enrichment, further reducing CO2 emissions arising from the front end of the fuel cycle. In addition, fast reactors, in a closed fuel cycle, would significantly reduce the amount of radioactive waste per unit of energy produced

• SMRs offer additional flexibility to accommodate intermittent renewables and are a better fit for countries with smaller electricity grids. They could also play an essential role in reducing GHG emissions, replacing aging fossil fuel power plants

• Advanced nuclear power technologies can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions also through non-electric applications such as district heating and hydrogen production

International Cooperation & Partnership

• Different partners and cooperation mechanisms are needed. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

• Nuclear power’s potential to complement large scale renewable deployment suggests that there may be opportunities to develop partnerships with organizations that have not traditionally supported nuclear power

• Coordinated approaches can also be developed for attracting financing or accessing financing mechanisms

• The Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC provides a framework for international cooperation, including under Article 6, which could support countries to make greater use of nuclear power in climate change mitigation

• Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future Initiative (NICE Future Initiative) - nine countries and 14 NGOs are cooperating under this initiative - ensures that nuclear energy is represented in discussion on clean energy at the ministerial level.

Public and Non-Nuclear Stakeholders

• Negative uninformed perceptions and principle views prevent nuclear power to further contribute to a low-cost energy mix that demonstrably can achieve the decarbonization goals that mitigate climate change

• Communication research suggests that business model adaptation is needed to align the technology with predominate worldviews that value inclusive decision-making, affordability, community-scale/community-owned nuclear power solutions

• There is a need to start a dialogue with the public to communicate a fact-based understanding of the inherent risks of all energy systems, stressing the benefits of nuclear power, and to realistically communicate the public health consequences of radiation exposure

• Provide a factual narrative on nuclear power, with understandable messages delivered by trusted sources of information including the climate community and environmental organizations. Efforts to this effect are already under way.

• Infographics, animations, online tools, and educational games can help in that; some have already been developed.

Plenary on Nuclear Safety and Security• Commitments to and ongoing implementation of the highest levels of safety and

security, consistent with IAEA safety standards and security guidelines, throughout the lifespan of NPPs are critical to all countries pursuing nuclear power

• Avoidance of complacency is key to maintaining high levels of nuclear safety and security

• International cooperation on nuclear safety and security, and national provisions for nuclear safety and security, have continued to be strengthened over recent years

• The nuclear industry continues to undergo comprehensive safety reassessments and take measures to strengthen plant safety and security, improve regulatory oversight and enhance emergency preparedness as well as international collaboration

• The IAEA has played an indispensable role in facilitating these processes, including when ageing plants go into long term operation

Key Takeaways

• There is a consensus among the international scientific community that the impacts of climate change are manifest and increase in intensity

• Achieving deep decarbonization objectives requires the simultaneous deployment of every low carbon technology

• To achieve an effective and reliable solution for electricity generation an appropriate balance between dispatchable and intermittent installed generating capacity is needed: the penetration of intermittent renewable energy should not exceed 40-50% of a country’s required installed generating capacity

• The merits of nuclear power to generate low carbon and reliable electricity at scale is generally recognized, as well as its potential to boost economic development. Nuclear power also appears more resilient to extreme weather events than other types of energy infrastructures

Key Takeaways

• Most of the speakers recognized that decarbonising the electricity sector without nuclear would be much more expensive or even impossible

• Maintaining the safe operations of the current nuclear fleet and implement LTO are critical to meet climate objectives

• Implementing a large new built programme worldwide in the years to come is needed for nuclear power to play a role in future decarbonised energy systems

• However, maintaining and extending nuclear programmes and ensuring the ability to finance new nuclear projects requires stronger governmental support, as well as clear, effective and technologically-neutral policies

• Development Financial Institutions and sustainable funds should consider also nuclear power among the green and sustainable energy sources to be funded

• Nuclear developers/vendors need to synchronize the delivery of innovative designs with the roll out of other low carbon options

Key Takeaways

• SMR! SMR! SMR!• NE-A! NE-A! NE-A!• HES! HES! HES!• As the future of nuclear power deployment can be constrained by societal

preferences, it is increasingly important to engage with the public and non-nuclear stakeholders

• All energy generating technologies have risks and benefits. However, perceptions and awareness of hazards are often disconnected from scientific evidence

• New and effective communication channels will need to be utilized, with evidence-based risks presented in an understandable way

Web-Site, Presentations & Proceedings

https://www.iaea.org/atoms4climate• Announcement – Purpose & Themes • Conference President’s Summary• Data Visualization Challenge

https://event.do/iaea/a/#/events/3297• Detailed Programme• Speakers• Contributed papers • Presentations

Proceedings will be published before GC64

https://www.iaea.org/atoms4climate

https://event.do/iaea/a/#/events/3297

Thank you!

For more information please visithttps://www.iaea.org/NuclearPower/Technology/home.html

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