Nuclear Energy Agency Online Bulletin

July 2000

Nuclear Development Information


The International Workshop on "Plant Life Management in a Changing Business World" was held in Washington, DC, on 26-27 June. The meeting, hosted by the USDOE, was attended by some 50 participants from 12 Member countries, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Commission (EC). After an opening plenary session, three working groups discussed issues related to technology, regulation and business. Their main findings were presented and discussed at the final round table.

  • Key issues raised by the technology working group included: reliability-centred maintenance versus time-based maintenance; power up-rating and higher fuel burnup aiming at enhanced competitiveness; and the need to maintain adequate skills and knowledge.
  • The regulation working group highlighted the need for international standards and improved co-operation between safety and economic regulators.
  • In the business working group, concerns were raised on consistency and harmonisation of regulation in competitive markets, external costs of nuclear energy versus alternative sources, public acceptance and assessment of financial assets.

The proceedings of the meeting, including a summary of discussions and findings, will be published by the NEA in the fall.