This publication addresses costs arising during individual phases of an environmental remediation project, how they can be calculated, and how they can be structured and documented. It provides the methodology of cost estimation and includes examples of cost estimate models, development plans, cost elements and work breakdown structures. The publication also contains an overview of potentially suitable remediation technologies, which may help the reader to structure the options study.

Since the 1970s, the IAEA has been involved in the analysis of fuel failures in water cooled reactors in normal (non-accident) operational conditions. This updated version of IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NF-T-2.1 provides information on all aspects of fuel failures in current nuclear power plant operations. It summarizes fuel failure occurrences and their mechanisms and root causes, as well as fuel failure prevention and management in plant operation for 97% of light and heavy water cooled nuclear power units operated worldwide during the period 2006–2015. Data on fuel failures from 1987 to 2006 extracted from three previous IAEA fuel failure reports are included and analysed in the present publication, together with the 2006–2015 fuel failure data, to reveal long term tendencies in fuel performance. In addition to fuel rod leakers, fuel structural damages and other fuel assembly issues are considered in the report.

This publication presents the results of a collaborative project on key indicators for innovative nuclear energy systems. It describes the approach and several case studies performed by Member States to evaluate, on a comparative basis, both nuclear energy system and nuclear energy evolution scenario options with evolutionary and innovative nuclear energy technologies and examines the applicability of this approach for different kinds of problems in the nuclear and non-nuclear energy planning fields.

Cogeneration, i.e. the production of electricity and heat, has proven to be a highly efficient and environmentally attractive option for energy conversion. Nuclear cogeneration could be considered as an option in the light of actions on climate change. However, nuclear cogeneration is not widely deployed. This publication provides a quick introduction to the advantages, experience and future planning for implementation of nuclear cogeneration. It also highlights some demonstration projects that were developed in the past in connection with industries, describing technical concepts for combined nuclear industrial complexes. The publication is intended to be of interest to users in academia and industry as well as government agencies and public institutions requiring basic information on various aspects of using nuclear power for cogeneration.

For reactors currently operating, the types of waste expected to be generated under the normal operating regime are known and, aside from a few problematic wastes (such as graphite, tritium and radiocarbon), most of these wastes have clearly defined cradle-to-grave (end-to-end) pathways. However, for advanced and innovative reactors and their fuel cycles, some waste types may have new or different properties or might be problematic for processing with the currently available technologies. One of the primary challenges for advanced and innovative reactors and their nuclear fuel cycles is that solutions must be identified for all eventually problematic wastes prior to initiating construction of these facilities. This publication sets the stage for considering the waste generation of advanced fuel fabrication, reactor operation and decommissioning, reprocessing of spent fuel and waste pathways early in the development of new reactors and their associated fuel cycles. It describes waste flows in broad chemical and physical terms and identifies possible processing, recycling and disposition pathways. The publication is intended to support the nuclear industry in taking an early and integrated approach to waste management.

This publication describes differences in post-accident situations compared with normal decommissioning (i.e. decommissioning after a planned final shutdown) and identifies significant decision factors as applicable. It focuses on the on-site decommissioning aspects of a technical nature that need to be addressed after a nuclear accident. Non-technical issues, such as policy and strategy, project planning, organization and management are also covered. The collection of experience on approaches, techniques, practices and implementation considerations is based on practical examples and lessons learned from past events, including the Fukushima Daiichi accident. Although the publication addresses decommissioning of nuclear power reactors after an accident, many aspects and considerations are also relevant for non-power nuclear facilities as well as legacy nuclear facilities.

An important element of the Milestones Approach to introducing nuclear power is a mechanism to coordinate efforts among the many organizations and individuals who have roles to play in the process. This mechanism is referred to as a nuclear energy programme implementing organization (NEPIO). This publication describes a set of responsibilities, functions and activities that States can use as guidance for establishing a NEPIO and ensuring its effectiveness. This revision incorporates lessons learned from Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review missions and IAEA technical assistance activities. It attempts to clarify that there are many ways to structure a NEPIO and that each could result in the successful execution of all functions and activities. Several case studies are included. Consistent with the revision of IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1 (Rev. 1), Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power, published in 2015, this publication recognizes that the NEPIO plays an important and evolving role in each of the three phases of nuclear power infrastructure development.

This publication identifies issues and challenges relevant to the development and implementation of options, policies, strategies and programmes for ensuring safe, secure and effective storage of spent fuel until transport for reprocessing or disposal. The target audience of this publication includes policy and decision makers who need to be aware of the implicit risks and costs associated with decision timing for determining and implementing an end point for spent fuel management (such as reprocessing or disposal) to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of nuclear energy. The publication will assist those within the nuclear industry in communicating the importance of a clear, credible and sustainable spent fuel management strategy and will encourage decision makers to consider different approaches that may be useful in addressing the uncertainties resulting from an unknown storage duration and an undefined end point for spent fuel management.

Counterfeit and fraudulent items (CFls) are of increasing concern in the nuclear industry and generally throughout the industrial and commercial supply chains. Experience has shown that a lack of control of the processes involved in the sourcing, receipt, use and/or disposal of items can lead to the introduction of counterfeit or fraudulent items into a nuclear facility. This publication is designed to assist Member State organizations in preventing, detecting and addressing counterfeit and fraudulent items on an ongoing basis. It provides users with recognized good practices for the introduction of a programme to effectively manage counterfeit and fraudulent items in the nuclear industry.

These IAEA guidelines on industrial safety for nuclear facilities are co-sponsored by the International Labour Organization. Specific review of industrial safety practices at nuclear plants have been part of the IAEA OSART (Operational Safety Review Team) missions for decades, and supplementary guidance for such reviews has been available since 1990. This publication presents the latest good practices that nuclear organizations have put into place to implement high quality industrial safety programmes.

Many countries are considering the construction of their first nuclear power plant or the expansion of a small nuclear power programme, and some have limited experience in managing radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The present revised publication provides a concise summary of key issues related to the development of a sound radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel management system. It is intended to brief countries with small or newly established nuclear power programmes about the challenges of, and to describe current and potential alternatives for, managing reactor waste and spent fuel arising during operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

This publication provides a summary of the INPRO collaborative project on synergistic nuclear energy regional group interactions evaluated for sustainability. Benefits of nuclear technology innovation can be amplified through cooperation among countries in the nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear energy sustainability can be enhanced, not only for technology holders but also for a variety of technology users, including those who do not pursue innovations in their home countries. If one partner in a synergistic collaboration is achieving enhanced sustainability, then the other partner(s) may achieve similar enhancement through collaboration without the requisite large national investments in technology, R&D and related infrastructure development. The publication presents 28 case studies conducted by Member States to identify and evaluate mutually beneficial patterns of co-operation in the nuclear fuel cycle and the driving forces and impediments involved in such co-operation.