This publication provides practical information on performing strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) for nuclear power programmes. It incorporates the latest knowledge and draws on best practices in conducting SEAs. Based on inputs from SEA experts from across the world, it lays down an effective SEA process that contributes to strengthening decision making for nuclear power programmes; achieving environmentally sound and sustainable development; and improving good governance and building public trust and confidence in decision making. Importantly, SEA for nuclear power programmes can ensure effective communication with the public and other stakeholders. Consequently, significant emphasis is placed on stakeholder engagement and public participation. Further, appropriate tools for assessment and quality review are presented for all stages of the SEA process.

This publication describes the various approaches to the techno-economic assessment of a project for the long term operation of a nuclear power plant in its specific market environment. It examines the process of defining the technical scope required to prolong the operating licences of nuclear power plants and highlights the need for further studies on technical cost drivers and economic assessments in order to better define the cost boundaries of long term operation. Information is also provided on the new IAEA software LTOFIN, which was developed to assist in performing long term operation economic assessments within the process described in the publication.

This publication is one in a series of reports on the assessment and management of ageing of the major nuclear power plant (NPP) components. It deals with buried and underground piping and tank systems that are included as part of an NPP and addresses potential ageing mechanisms, age related degradation, and ageing management as well as condition assessments for the material and components of such systems. The intended target audience for this publication are NPP owners, operators, designers, engineers and specialists.

This publication addresses relevant aspects of requesting and obtaining effective technical support and its adequate utilization in decision making on nuclear power programmes, projects and plants. It describes the technical support functions and associated organizational activities and skills in providing technical and scientific input to the decisions on plant safety and performance throughout the plant’s life-cycle and establishing and sustaining technical support capability and capacity in Member States embarking on nuclear power programmes or already operating nuclear power plants. The publication also presents observations, lessons learned and conclusions drawn from good practices for defining and maintaining roles, responsibilities and interfacing requirements of technical support organizations, nuclear power project/plant entities and other stakeholders. As such, it provides a set of descriptive and practised processes that integrate technical and scientific information for safety, performance and economic aspects in support of sound and timely decisions on the safe, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear power plants.

This publication presents both an overview and detailed information on more than 150 experimental facilities being used for developing and deploying innovative liquid metal cooled (sodium, lead and lead–bismuth) fast neutron systems, both critical and subcritical. Facilities under construction and those in operation are considered. It is expected that by providing the end users with detailed information on existing and future experimental facilities able to support innovative liquid metal cooled fast neutron systems, the publication will facilitate cooperation between organizations and knowledge transfer. An overview of the existing and future experimental facilities is presented in the body text of this publication. The profiles of all facilities in the form of individual papers are available on the attached CD-ROM and in the related on-line database maintained by the IAEA Catalogue of Facilities in Support of Liquid Metal Cooled Fast Neutron Systems (LMFNS Catalogue).

The publication discusses the issues that need to be dealt with when preparing a facility for safe enclosure or safely maintaining it for a long time. It provides details of lessons learned from deferred decommissioning of nuclear facilities following planned shutdown. These lessons have been learned from a variety of facilities, with a variety of hazards, configurations and decommissioning programmes. While some of the considerations addressed may apply to facilities involved in an operating incident or accident, they are not specifically addressed by this publication, as the individual nature of their hazards and decommissioning challenges precludes their use as exemples. The publication addresses the preparation for, and the steady state part of the safe enclosure phase; it should be understood that in a later part of that phase the on- and off-site requirements and arrangements will change as plans and infrastructure are prepared for the next phase, which is the final dismantling, remediation and site release.

This publication summarizes the findings and conclusions of the IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) on accelerator simulation and theoretical modelling of radiation effects, aimed at supporting Member States in the development of advanced radiation resistant structural materials for implementation in innovative nuclear systems. This aim can be achieved through enhancement of experimental neutron-emulation capabilities of ion accelerators and improvement of the predictive efficiency of theoretical models and computer codes. This dual approach is challenging but necessary, because outputs of accelerator simulation experiments need adequate theoretical interpretation, and theoretical models and codes need high dose experimental data for their verification. Both ion irradiation investigations and computer modelling were the specific subjects of the CRP, and the results of these studies are presented in this publication, which also includes state-of-the-art reviews of four major aspects of the project: challenges and trends of structural materials development for present and future reactor designs, accelerator methodologies for material testing, multiscale modelling tools, and advanced examination techniques.

This publication concerns approaches for establishing the overall instrumentation and control (I&C) architecture of a nuclear power plant. It describes the characteristics and content of general I&C architectures, presents architectural principles and addresses the limitation of the potential effects of postulated common cause failures. It introduces an architectural development process and discusses technical considerations for the design. The publication emphasizes safety aspects and addresses the defence in depth concept, but also includes consideration of plant availability, operability and security. It recognizes the potential for adverse effects of I&C failures on plant availability and operability that may arise from increased architectural complexity, and describes the optimization of I&C functionality and features that need to be implemented.

This publication describes the various elements to be included in a comprehensive, robust and logically structured feasibility study report for a new research reactor project. It provides information for the main supporting organization or team of a new research reactor to enable them to undertake an authoritative and comprehensive feasibility study that could be submitted to decision makers for their review in order to support proposals and endorse an action plan for construction of such a facility. It includes considerations of justification for a new research reactor, associated key nuclear infrastructure issues, cost benefit analysis and risk management that would have to be addressed prior to authorizations for the establishment of a new research reactor. Addressing these issues will help Member States to develop a comprehensive understanding of all the roles, obligations and commitments involved in establishing and operating a research reactor and ensure that these are met during all phases of the project life cycle. The publication also includes a generic template for preparing a feasibility study report and provides some examples and lessons learned from individual Member States in preparing such studies.

This publication defines a framework that represents the state of the art of assessment methodologies for safety and instrumentation and control software used at nuclear power plants. It describes an approach for developing and communicating assessments based on claims, arguments and evidence. The assessment of software dependability, which encompasses properties such as safety, reliability, availability, maintainability and security, is an essential and challenging aspect of the safety justification. Information is given on guiding principles to provide the basis for defining an assessment strategy and implementing the assessment process. Sources of evidence for the assessment are provided and lessons learned from past digital instrumentation and control system implementation in areas such as software development, operational usage, regulatory review and platform certification are also described.

Commissioning is one of the key steps towards putting into service a new nuclear facility, or a new system, structure or component within an existing facility. Commissioning activities need to be planned early in the design and procurement process, with careful consideration of eventual acceptance criteria and test methods. This publication describes commissioning in its basic form, the commissioning process specific to nuclear power plants, the relevant management system requirements, typical organizational models and critical human resources issues. It also provides details on experience and lessons learned in Member States. The publication will be of use to all stakeholders involved in the commissioning of nuclear power plants, including owner/operators, contractors, engineers, regulatory bodies and vendors.

This publication deals with the latest nuclear power plant maintenance optimization programmes and provides key requirements and strategies for their successful implementation. It documents shared proven maintenance optimization methods and techniques from Member States, including the more detailed examples in the annexes of this publication.