When nuclear power plants reach the end of their nominal design life, they undergo a special safety review and an ageing assessment of their essential structures, systems and components for the purpose of validating or renewing their licence to operate for terms beyond the service period originally intended. Three different plant life management models have been used to qualify these nuclear power plants to operate beyond their original design life. This publication presents a collection of sample licensing practices for long term operation among IAEA Member States. The various plant life management models used to obtain long term operation authorizations are described and comparisons drawn against the standard periodic safety review model. Lessons learned and warnings about possible complications and pitfalls are also described to minimize the licensing risk during operation and future long term operation applications. The main intention of this publication is to support nuclear power plant owners and operators planning an extension of plant operation beyond its original design life, but it also serves as a useful guide for those interested in procuring, from the beginning, the necessary tools to implement ageing management in their future plant with long term operation in mind.

In the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the instrumentation provided for accident monitoring proved to be ineffective for a combination of reasons. The accident has therefore highlighted the need to re-examine criteria for accident monitoring instrumentation. This publication covers all relevant aspects of accident monitoring in nuclear power plants (NPPs). The critical issues discussed reflect the lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident, involve accident management and accident monitoring strategies for NPPs; selection of plant parameters for monitoring plant status; establishment of performance, design, qualification, display, and quality assurance criteria for designated accident monitoring instrumentation; and design and implementation considerations. Technology needs and techniques for accident monitoring instrumentation are also addressed.

To assure the safe, technically optimal and cost effective management of remediation situations, appropriate policies and strategies are required. This publication describes the goals, time scales, efforts necessary for implementation, cost allocation and the different interests of concerned parties with regard to environmental remediation works. It clarifies the differences between a policy and a strategy, and provides advice to Member States on the typical composition and formulation of such documents. Along with previously published IAEA safety publications on environmental remediation, this publication will help national authorities to recognize the necessity for including environmental remediation as a required component in the planning and execution of nuclear related initiatives. Recent events have shown that the existence of an established policy and strategies on environmental remediation prior to nuclear and/or radiological accidents can be of fundamental importance, as it will among other things facilitate the dialogue to be established with affected parties.

This publication summarizes the reviewed information distributed in previous IAEA publications and provides an up to date, overall picture of the management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) based upon the current status and trends in this field. It incorporates the most recent experience in source management, including newly developed techniques used for DSRS conditioning and storage. Problems encountered and lessons learned are also highlighted in the publication in order to help avoid the mistakes commonly made in the past in managing disused sources.

Interest in developing research reactor programmes has grown significantly in recent years. Currently, a significant number of Member States are in different stages of new research reactor projects. The majority of them are building their first research reactor as a key national installation for the development of their nuclear science and technology programmes. In this context, this publication has been developed to assist Member States in the preparation of the technical requirements for the bidding process for a new research reactor. The publication addresses the preparation phase of the bidding process and discusses criteria that may be used in the evaluation of the bids. The guidance applies to all reactor types and technologies and it does not recommend a specific reactor type or technology or a specific design. However, it is assumed that the publication will be used by a Member State that has made a commitment to build a safe, sustainable, robust design and easily maintainable research reactor. The guidance provided in the publication is primarily oriented to Member States building their first research reactor; however, such guidance could also be useful for the bidding process for subsequent reactors.

This publication reviews experiences in IAEA Member States relevant to the cleanup and decommissioning of nuclear facilities in the aftermath of accidents and provides an overview of lessons learned worldwide. It also updates information from earlier publications on this topic, according to the different phases of activity after the accident has been declared ended (site stabilization, post-accident cleanup, safe enclosure) and, in the longer term, final decommissioning and site remediation.

This publication is an update of the guidance given in the area of infrastructure in Volume 3 of IAEA-TECDOC-1575 Rev.1 (2008), Guidance for the Application of an Assessment Methodology for Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems. It is based on recommendations presented by Member States participating in INPRO, IAEA experts and the IAEA INPRO group. The publication provides guidance on assessing a nuclear energy system in the area of nuclear infrastructure. Within the INPRO methodology, a nuclear infrastructure can be defined as the collection of necessary capabilities of national institutions to achieve long term sustainability of a nuclear power programme. Several aspects are discussed in detail in this publication, in particular the importance of public acceptance of a nuclear power programme and the necessary human resources to establish and operate such a programme. Additionally, INPRO methodology defines measures that a designer and the state should take to reduce the necessary effort to establish and maintain a nuclear infrastructure.

As part of the INPRO methodology this manual provides guidance on assessing a nuclear energy system in the area of economics. This is an independent assessment of the economic competitiveness of nuclear power, compared with available alternatives. The publication starts with a short description of the goals and output of an energy system planning study, followed by general background information on performing an INPRO economic assessment, and presents a discussion of the basic principles and the associated user requirements and criteria. In the appendices, additional background information on economic terms and support tools is provided.

Maintaining nuclear competencies in the nuclear industry is one of the most critical challenges in the near future. With the development of a number of nuclear engineering educational programmes in several states, this publication provides guidance to decision makers on a competence based approach to curricula development, presenting the established practices and associated requirements for educational programmes in this field. It is a consolidation of best practices that will ensure sustainable, effective nuclear engineering programmes, contributing to the safe, efficient and economical operation of nuclear power plants. The information presented is drawn from a variety of recognized nuclear engineering programmes around the world and contributes to the main areas that are needed to ensure a viable and robust nuclear industry.

This publication is the second in the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series to provide guidance on the inclusion of safeguards in nuclear facility design and construction. It is principally intended for designers and operators of nuclear reactor facilities; however, vendors, national authorities and financial backers can also benefit from the information provided. It is introductory rather than comprehensive in nature, complementing the Guidance for States Implementing Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols, IAEA Services Series No. 21, and other publications in that series. The publication complements the general considerations addressed in International Safeguards in Nuclear Facility Design and Construction, IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NP-T-2.8.

It is widely recognized that engineering changes, if not properly considered and controlled, can have potentially major safety implications; however, organizational changes can also have potentially major safety implications. This publication is intended to assist the management of nuclear organizations in identifying, planning and implementing organizational change. The driving force for the change may be internal or external. Based on the assumption that any change made within a facility applying nuclear technology has the potential to impact safety and effectiveness, the publication provides a description of the basic principles for managing and implementing the organizational change effectively while remaining focused on safe and reliable operation. The guidance contained in the publication is relevant to all organizational changes within nuclear organizations.

A feasibility study represents an important step in the development of a new build nuclear power plant project. It is a complex but necessary step to determine whether a business opportunity is possible, practical and viable. Technical, economic, financial, regulatory, social and environmental aspects of a nuclear power plant programme need to be considered to allow authorities to make informed decisions regarding the possible implementation of the project. This publication assists Member States in developing a feasibility study for nuclear power projects and provides guidance to users who are planning to perform such a study, with consideration of both the technical and process areas. These guidelines condense the experience of individuals involved in previous feasibility study efforts and provide industry best practices in order to maximize the usefulness of any results.