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    • 22.07.2024
    Science. Rosatom researchers confirmed that high-power VVER nuclear fuel can be used safely and reliably in load-following mode. To do this, they studied the behavior of fuel elements with different fuel compositions in the MIR research reactor located at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR, part of Rosatom). The researchers simulated daily variations of nominal thermal power within the 40% to 100% range in VVER-1200 reactors. The tests lasted 224 days, with 218 power ascension and descension cycles completed. The results of in-pile and post-irradiation studies confirmed the fuel’s operational capability in intraday load following. “This is another step towards demonstrating the feasibility of operating Russian-designed high-power reactors in load-following mode. Our research into more efficient nuclear generation is attracting much interest from the operators of Russian-built nuclear stations abroad,” said Alexander Ugryumov, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at TVEL (part of Rosatom).
    Cooperation. Rosatom’s fuel division TVEL and the Ministry of Energy of Belarus discussed cooperation across the front end and back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. TVEL top managers told their Belarusian colleagues about the current situation in the world front-end markets, including mining, conversion and enrichment of natural uranium. The parties also discussed Rosatom’s innovative nuclear fuel solutions that can improve the operational efficiency of the Belarusian NPP. Other topics at the meeting included the decommissioning program for the Belarusian NPP operating units, development of the infrastructure for radioactive waste management in Belarus, and training of relevant professionals. The Russian delegation also visited the Belarusian NPP.  The first nuclear power plant in Belarus, it consists of two power units with VVER-1200 reactors built by Rosatom and running on nuclear fuel produced by the subsidiaries of the Russian nuclear corporation.
    Construction sites. AEM SpetsStal (a steel-making facility of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division) manufactured a large batch of billets to be processed into the equipment for Unit 1 of Egypt’s El Dabaa NPP. 24 large-size billets weighing over 650 tonnes were shipped to three of Rosatom’s manufacturing sites. They will be used to make primary circuit components, including the reactor pressure vessel, pressurizer, and primary coolant pipes. Another production facility of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division, PetrozavodskMash, proceeded to manufacture pipes for the reactor island of El Dabaa Unit 1. Workers began cladding the pipes intended for the primary coolant loop. The total weight of the set of pipes will amount to 276 tonnes. Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 power reactors in Egypt.
    15.07.2024
    Fuel. Rosatom is making a pilot attempt to use nuclear fuel impregnated with minor actinides. The BN-800 fast neutron reactor installed at Beloyarsk Unit 4 was for the first time ever loaded with mixed uranium plutonium oxide fuel containing americium-241 and neptunium-237. These are minor actinides, the most radiotoxic and long-lived elements found in irradiated nuclear fuel. “Fast neutron reactors have an advantage of eliminating minor actinides, thus reducing the amount of radioactive waste from the entire nuclear fuel infrastructure,” says Ivan Sidorov, Director of the Beloyarsk NPP. According to research estimates, burning minor actinides makes it possible for nuclear waste to become equivalent to natural uranium in terms of radiation in just 300 years of isolation, or 2,300 times faster than usual. 
    Cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Atom Pavilion in Moscow. They were given a tour by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. The Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister visited interactive stands dedicated to the Russian-Indian cooperation in nuclear energy. Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi were also demonstrated solutions for water desalination, quality-improving irradiation of seeds and foodstuffs, cargo transportation from India to Europe and Russia via the Northern Sea Route, and a model of a floating nuclear power plant. Rosatom successfully cooperates with India across many areas, the flagship project being the construction of six power units at India’s Kudankulam NPP. 
    Innoprom 2024. Rosatom took part in the Innoprom 2024 International Industrial Forum and Exhibition held in Yekaterinburg. Rosatom top managers spoke at the key events of the forum, having discussed the prospects for industry-specific digital platforms, international opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses as part of cooperation with large state-owned corporations, establishment of export-import partnerships, human resources as a foundation for large-scale industrial projects, specifics of Russia’s low-carbon market, and other essential topics. Several important documents were signed at the forum. In particular, Rosatom and the Government of Rostov Region signed an agreement to build a wind farm in the region.
    08.07.2024
    Construction sites abroad. A molten core catcher for Unit 3 was delivered to the construction site of Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The delivery from Russia took six days. The total weight of the cargo amounted to 480 tonnes. The core catcher designed by Russian engineers is part of the passive safety system intended to prevent radioactive substances from being released into the environment in the event of a severe accident. The core catcher is a steel vessel that retains corium in emergencies and prevents its fragments from escaping beyond the reactor containment. Installation of the core catcher at Unit 3 is scheduled for October this year.
    Northern Sea Route. Russia’s nuclear fleet operator Atomflot (part of Rosatom) started the summer and autumn navigation season on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as the nuclear-powered icebreaker Vaygach took a three-ship convoy under escort. This is the first east-bound voyage this year to deliver oil products and cargoes to remote areas of the country. Atomflot operates seven nuclear-powered icebreakers on the NSR, with three of them belonging to the Project 22220 (Arktika) series. Another two icebreakers of the Arktika series and an icebreaker of the Project 10510 (Lider) series are under construction, with plans to build more icebreakers of the same design. The fifth icebreaker of the Arktika series, Leningrad, was laid down in 2023. The sixth icebreaker of the same type is planned to be laid down in 2025. Rosatom also intends to build a series of four diesel-powered icebreakers.
    International cooperation. Rosatom took part in a conference organized by the IAEA. The International Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resource Development brought together about 600 participants from 110 countries. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi recalled that it would be impossible to address the climate agenda without nuclear power. Nuclear capacity must be increased, which requires, among other things, the development of human resources, he said. Tatyana Terentyeva, Deputy Director General for Human Resources at Rosatom, shared the experience of the Russian nuclear corporation in the development of people and territories with the international nuclear community. Today, Rosatom brings together over 370,000 employees working at 460 companies and over 2.5 million people living in 31 host communities, she noted.
    01.07.2024
    Anniversary. The world’s first nuclear power plant is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Located in the Russian town of Obninsk, it was brought to power on June 26, 1954 and fed its first electricity to the USSR power grid the next day. To celebrate the anniversary, Obninsk hosted ceremonies, which were attended by delegates from over a hundred countries. Officials from Russia and partner countries, Rosatom top managers, rectors of the leading universities, researchers and experts discussed, among other things, the prospects of nuclear technology and personnel training. They emphasized the importance of the Obninsk Tech international research and education center for nuclear and related technologies. Obninsk Tech is intended to become a point of attraction for students and experts specializing in this field.
    Construction sites. A new simulator manufactured by Rosatom was delivered to the Akkuyu NPP construction site in Turkey. It is designed to train the electrical staff of the nuclear power plant. While replicating the station’s electrical equipment, the simulator uses power circuit voltage that is safe for the personnel. “The simulator will improve the qualifications of our electrical staff. They will have an opportunity to practice all the necessary skills in the closest-to-real conditions,” said Sergey Butskikh, First Deputy CEO at Akkuyu Nuclear and director of the under-construction Akkuyu NPP. The nuclear power plant operates an on-site training center, with six shifts of the operating personnel having completed their training course there since 2023.
    Medicine. The first patients received treatment at a nuclear medicine ward established in Bishkek with support from Rosatom. The National Center for Oncology and Hematology under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic used to produce medical isotopes in the 20th century, but its nuclear medicine laboratory had been out of operation since the 1990s. The refurbishment began in 2011 with the backing from the IAEA as new equipment for the production of radiopharmaceuticals and a single-photon emission computed tomography scanner were purchased for the laboratory. Last year, experts from the State Specialized Design Institute (GSPI, part of Rosatom) assisted the nuclear medicine ward in obtaining the required operating permits. V/O Izotop (also part of the Russian nuclear corporation) donated ‘cold kits’ for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals containing technetium-99m.