Presentations (available after the workshop for registered participants only)
Materials to be discussed during the workshop:
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Background materials:
The continued evolution of fuel and materials technology, fuel performance, optimisation of operational limits, material ageing, failure limits, etc. will require experimental evidence obtained from tests performed in fuel and materials research facilities. These facilities constitute a key piece of infrastructure for the demonstration of safe, reliable and efficient operation of Nuclear Power Plants, and for the assessment and implementation of modified and/or long-term operation scenarios.
In this context, the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has launched a multilateral initiative to strengthen fuel- and material-related experimental capabilities for the benefit of a broad community of users. A core aspect of this initiative is to develop a coordinated approach for performing key experiments using facilities around the world. This initiative has become even more relevant given the closure of the widely-used Halden test reactor in Norway.
This is the third workshop on experimental fuel and material testing needs, the first two being held in 2018: Enhancing Experimental Support for Advancement in Nuclear Fuels and Materials (8-10 January 2018, OECD Conference Centre, Paris, France) and Building Multinational Fuel and Materials Testing Capacities for Science Safety and Industry (4-5 October 2018, OECD (Boulogne) Conference Centre, Boulogne-Billancourt, France).
The 2018 workshops resulted in a conclusion that it is necessary to establish a multinational framework to open access to a diverse range of experimental capabilities, and to ensure that they are utilised in a co-ordinated, efficient and cost-effective manner, and maintained for longer-term use in order to address current and future needs for industry, safety and science.
The March 2019 workshop will be structured in two sessions. The first session will be focused on the new Multinational NEA Framework for In-pile Fuel and Material Testing. Its governance, structure, and legal and financial features will be proposed by the NEA. The proposal will be followed by comments and discussion on how this Framework will function.
As one of the Framework objectives will be to align experimental needs and capacities, the second session will focus on examining the available proposals for Joint Experimental Programmes (JEEP) and other potential proposals.
The workshop will conclude with an open discussion and proposals for the next steps.
The overall objective of the workshop is to discuss with the participating organisations whether they agree to work together under the NEA Framework and then to formally establish it, as well as to identify interest in the proposed JEEPs. Should the workshop deliver positive feedback on the proposals, the NEA will lay out the next steps in the process, working closely with representatives of each organisation.
The 1.5-day workshop will cover two sessions featuring presentations by NEA and the organisations proposing JEEPs. The presentations will be followed by discussion among representatives from industry, regulatory technical support organisations (TSOs), research institutes and experimental facilities, centred on the workshop objectives.
A cocktail reception will take place on the evening of 4 March.
Please register for the workshop via email to Mrs Harriet Hocquet (Harriet.HOCQUET@oecd-nea.org) and Mrs Lorella Pecorale (Lorella.PECORALE@oecd-nea.org).
The workshop will take place on Monday, 4 March 2019 (1pm – 6pm) and Tuesday, 5 March (9am -5pm) in conference room BB1 at the NEA headquarters located at 46 Quai Alphonse Le Gallo, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt.
Photo ID is required to access the conference centre. It is advised to arrive well in advance to allow time to pass the security clearance. NEA staff will be onsite to guide participants to the meeting room.
Information on arriving at the NEA headquarters, including a link to hotel recommendations in the vicinity of the NEA, is available on our website.Please send an e-mail to Dr Tatiana Ivanova (Tatiana.IVANOVA@oecd-nea.org), Mrs Harriet Hocquet (Harriet.HOCQUET@oecd-nea.org) and Mrs Lorella Pecorale (Lorella.PECORALE@oecd-nea.org) with any enquiries about the workshop.
Last updated: 9 March 2019
