Safety assurance through advances in long-term operation

• Main Authors: Mottershead Kevin James, Robertson Christian, Lindqvist Sebastian, Perosanz Lopez Francisco Javier, Puska Eija Karita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2020-01-01
• Series: EPJ Nuclear Sciences & Technologies
• Online Access: https://www.epj-n.org/articles/epjn/full_html/2020/01/epjn190028/epjn190028.html

Mindful of the challenges to long-term operation, especially the severe safety and environmental consequences shown through historical nuclear power plant accidents (e.g. Fukoshima, Chernobyl, etc), it is imperative that European research and innovation focuses on demonstrating reliable long-term operation. Five examples of European Commission supported projects meeting such objectives are INCEFA+, SOTERIA, ATLAS+, MEACTOS and NUGENIA+. There are economies of scale within, and synergies across these projects which enable further advantage to be gained. Additionally, since researchers are well engaged internationally, this brings into European Organisations latest developments in understanding from further afield (e.g. USA, Japan), further enabling safety assurance advances, and enabling work overseas to be influenced consistent with European requirements. Through examples, this paper provides evidence of the advances claimed, whilst being careful to also declare areas of interest for which further work is still a priority.