The RRFM conference has been run for already 15 years and is one of the key events, which gather together the specialists in development, design, operation and experimental uses of research nuclear reactors. The event is held by the European Nuclear Society with the support of Rosatom. This year, the conference, which was held in Russia for the first time in its history, was attended by 210 representatives of Russia and foreign countries.
The Meeting Point
The city chosen to host the event was not a coincidence. At the opening ceremony Alexander Tuzov, a Deputy Director for Innovations, reminded the audience that the Russia is on its way to implementation of an ambitious multipurpose fast breeder research reactor project (MBIR), for which there had been made a decision to establish an International Research Center. Foreign participants agreed that the conference location was chosen well.
“I believe it was necessary to organize the most important research reactor conference in Russia, since the country has a wide experience in this type of reactors: material engineering, creating new material, improving fuel characteristics, isotope production, – said the representative of Areva (France), producer of medical isotopes. Besides, Russian Rosatom implements some interesting and very important projects, such as molybdenum-99 production, helping medical society, providing its global regular supply.
Reactor Prospects
The conference program included plenary sessions on the latest developments and cutting-edge technologies related to applications of research reactors. One of the main topics was the prospects of industrial application of research reactors in Russia. The participants spoke about special features of pulsed fast-neutron reactor (IBR-2), high-flux beam research reactor (PIK). It was noted that Russia, having the biggest experience in constructing and operating research reactors, keeps developing its international cooperation in the field.
Among the safety issues of research reactors operation discussed at the conference were the following: infosecurity, reactor control access, protection of engineering systems, integrated safety and security of research reactor operation. Upon completion of the scientific program, there were organized some technical tours to nuclear facilities, in particular to B.P. Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (PIYaF).
Sustainable Energy of Saudi Arabia
An international Saudi Sustainable Energy Symposium: Value Localization Series took place on April 23 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The Symposium covered issues of development and implementation of the most advanced energy technologies. Russian nuclear power industry was represented by JSC Rusatom Overseas on behalf of Executive vice-president Boris Arseev. He focused his speech on the state and development of nuclear energy in the world and the role of Rosatom in this process.
B. Arseev noted that Rosatom offers integrated solutions from the uranium supply to the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, providing unique opportunities for the development of own industry in partner countries and an integrated approach to the economic, financial and social problems. He also said that at present time Rosatom has a great experience in developing various forms of cooperation with local partners for the successful implementation of its projects. Over the last 40 years local contribution to the nuclear energy projects has grown substantially. For example, in the design and construction coordination of Loviisa NPP (Finland) by Atomenergoexport in the late 70’s the contribution to the local suppliers did not exceed 20%.
The broader localization program – up to 40% of equipment and services costs has been successfully implemented in Kudankulam (India) in 2011 The latest offer for the European Union, based on NPP-2006 project – Russian nuclear power plant of new generation “3 +” with improved technical and economic parameters, assumes localization of up to 70%.
An interesting example of such localization is the project for the construction of Units 3 and 4 of Temelin NPP (currently Rosatom’s enterprises being in the Consortium led by the Czech Skoda JS participate in the tender to implement this project). With the investments of about CZK 200 billion (7.7 billion euros) localization rate reaches 70% and involves the largest Czech manufacturers of various industrial segments.
