Infrastructure and Methodologies for the Justification of Nuclear Power Programmes

The potential development of any nuclear power programme should include a rigorous justification process reviewing the substantial regulatory, economic and technical information necessary for implementation, given the long term commitments involved in any new nuclear power project. Infrastructure and methodologies for the justification of nuclear power programmes reviews the fundamental issues and approaches to nuclear power justification in countries considering nuclear new build or redevelopment. Part one covers the infrastructure requirements for any new nuclear power programme, with chapters detailing the role and responsibilities of government, regulatory bodies and nuclear operator and the need for human resources and technical capability at the national level. Part two focuses on issues relevant to the justification process, including nuclear safety, radiation protection and emergency planning. Current designs and advanced reactors and radioactive waste management are also considered, along with the economic, social and environmental impacts of nuclear power development. Part three reviews the development of nuclear power programme, from nuclear power plant site selection and licensing, through construction and operation, and on to decommissioning. Finally, a series of valuable appendices detail the UK experience of justification, nuclear safety culture and training, and the multinational design evaluation programme (MDEP). With its distinguished editor and expert team of contributors, Infrastructure and methodologies for the justification of nuclear power programmes is an essential reference for international and national stakeholders in this field, particularly governmental, non-governmental and regulatory bodies, nuclear power operators and consultants.

Table of Contents:
Contributor contact details Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy Chapter 1: Overview of infrastructure and methodologies for the justification of nuclear power programmes Abstract: 1.1 The past, current and future phases in the development of nuclear power 1.2 The main factors shaping the deployment of nuclear power 1.3 The bases for the development of nuclear power 1.4 Conclusion Part I: Infrastructure of nuclear power programmes Chapter 2: The lifecycle of a nuclear power plant Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Overview of the complete nuclear fuel cycle 2.3 Overview of the nuclear power plant lifecycle 2.4 Requirements for new nuclear power plants 2.5 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 3: The role of government in establishing the framework for nuclear power programmes Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Role of government in the justification process 3.3 International requirements 3.4 Knowledge management 3.5 Regulatory requirements 3.6 New entrants 3.7 Future trends Chapter 4: Regulatory requirements and practices in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Basic characteristics of regulatory organizations 4.3 Creation, authority, responsibilities and competence of the regulatory body 4.4 Development, functions and management system of the regulatory body 4.5 Development of the regulatory framework and approaches 4.6 The regulatory function: development of a regulatory pyramid 4.7 Development of the licensing process and major regulatory activities during the licensing process 4.8 The compliance function: verification and oversight during construction and operation 4.9 The enforcement function 4.10 Regulatory transparency and openness, and the relationship with the operating organization and other stakeholders 4.11 Regulatory support and research 4.12 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 5: Responsibilities of the nuclear operator in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The responsibilities of the nuclear operator 5.3 The means to enact responsibilities and enhance leadership effectiveness 5.4 Responsibilities of the operator in the lifecycle of a nuclear power plant 5.5 Importance of organisations for safe operation 5.6 Building and maintaining an operations organisation 5.7 Monitoring and evaluating organisational effectiveness 5.8 Maintaining organisations 5.9 Basis for safe operation 5.10 Engineering support and design authority Chapter 6: The need for human resources in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Human resource requirements of the nuclear stakeholders 6.3 High-level nuclear education programmes 6.4 Changing specialization requirements in the nuclear power plant lifecycle 6.5 International experience 6.6 Initial and sustained training programmes 6.7 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 7: National technical capability development in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Establishing the foundation for national technical development 7.3 Understanding the nuclear power plant (NPP) design 7.4 National participation in siting 7.5 National participation in design, equipment manufacture and construction 7.6 Plant commissioning 7.7 Plant operation 7.8 Longer-term operation and management 7.9 Decommissioning 7.11 Acknowledgements Part II: Justification of nuclear power programmes Chapter 8: Application of the justification principle to nuclear power development Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The ethics of the justification principle 8.3 The justification process 8.4 The terms of the justification equation 8.5 The benefits of nuclear energy 8.6 Risks and detriments of nuclear energy 8.7 Conclusions Chapter 9: Available and advanced nuclear technologies for nuclear power programs Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Classification of advanced nuclear reactors 9.3 Key advances in technology 9.4 Advanced nuclear reactor designs 9.5 Non-electrical applications 9.6 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 10: Nuclear safety in nuclear power programs Abstract: 10.1 Introduction Chapter 11: Radiation protection in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Radiation doses 11.3 Biological effects of radiation 11.4 Attributability of risks and potential health effects to nuclear power plants (NPPs) 11.5 Radiation protection paradigm 11.6 Potential exposures 11.7 Radiation safety standards 11.8 Occupational protection at nuclear power plants (NPPs) 11.9 Public protection at nuclear power plants (NPPs): controlling discharges into the environment Chapter 12: Emergency planning in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Need for emergency planning as the last barrier of defence and mitigation of the radiological consequences of potential accidents 12.3 International conventions and standards on emergency planning 12.4 Responsible organizations 12.5 Emergency management 12.6 Emergency drills and exercises 12.7 Emergency coordination centres Chapter 13: Non-proliferation safeguards in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 13.3 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and international safeguards 13.4 Non-proliferation responsibilities 13.5 Transparency during a nuclear renaissance 13.6 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 14: Spent fuel and radioactive waste management in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Policies and strategies for management of spent fuel and radioactive waste 14.3 Radioactive waste from nuclear power production 14.4 Management systems for spent nuclear fuel 14.5 Management of low- and intermediate-level waste 14.6 Conclusions Chapter 15: The economics of nuclear power: past, present and future aspects Abstract: 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Economics today and tomorrow 15.3 Levelized cost of electricity generation 15.4 Risks and uncertainties 15.5 Conclusions Chapter 16: Social impacts and public perception of nuclear power Abstract: 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Social impacts at both national and local levels 16.3 Public perception of nuclear power 16.4 Conclusion Chapter 17: Environmental impacts and assessment in nuclear power programmes Abstract: 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Environmental protection 17.3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 17.4 Land planning for new nuclear 17.5 Key controls on environmental impacts 17.6 Overlap with other regulatory controls 17.7 Conclusions 17.8 Future trends Part III: Development of nuclear power programmes Chapter 18: Site selection and evaluation for nuclear power plants (NPPs) Abstract: 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Schematic approach to site selection 18.3 Basic safety principles applicable to nuclear power plant (NPP) siting 18.4 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements and safety guides on nuclear power plant siting 18.5 Consideration of the feasibility of an emergency plan 18.6 Demographic requirements and site parameters developed and applied by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chapter 19: Bid invitation in nuclear power plant procurement Abstract: 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Contracting approach and bid invitation specifications 19.3 Basis for preparation of the bid invitation specifi cations 19.4 Purpose, structure and contents 19.5 Letter of invitation 19.6 Instructions to bidders 19.7 Scope of supply 19.8 Technical requirements 19.9 Project implementation 19.10 Technical data sheets 19.11 Draft contract 19.12 Commercial conditions 19.13 Financing requirements Chapter 20: Licensing for nuclear power plant siting, construction and operation Abstract: 20.1 Introduction 20.2 The need for licensing 20.3 Licensing application and supporting technical documents 20.4 Safety review of licensing applications and license requirements 20.5 Licensee activities during design, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning 20.6 Regulatory compliance during design, construction, commissioning and operation 20.7 Licensing of a country’s first nuclear power plant 20.8 Acknowledgements 20.10 Appendix: Examples of licensing systems Chapter 21: Quality assurance during design, construction and operation of nuclear power plants Abstract: 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Definitions 21.3 Quality assurance criteria 21.4 Quality assurance during design 21.5 Quality assurance during construction 21.6 Quality assurance during commissioning 21.7 Quality assurance during operation 21.8 Assessment 21.9 Human resources 21.10 Sources of further information and advice 21.12 Appendix: list of abbreviations and acronyms. Chapter 22: Commissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs) Abstract: 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Codes, standards and other requirements for the commissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs) 22.3 Commissioning programme and stages of commissioning 22.4 Pre-operational tests 22.5 Nuclear commissioning 22.6 Roles and responsibilities during commissioning 22.7 Commissioning organization and management 22.8 Commissioning procedures 22.9 Test procedures 22.10 Qualification requirements for commissioning personnel and other human factors 22.11 Safety management and development of a safety culture 22.12 Recording and analysis of tests 22.13 Documentation 22.14 International experience Chapter 23: Operational safety of nuclear power plants Abstract: 23.1 Introduction 23.2 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements for nuclear power plant (NPP) operation 23.3 Management, organization and administration of nuclear power plants (NPPs) 23.4 Training and qualification 23.5 Operations 23.6 Maintenance 23.7 Technical support 23.8 Operational experience feedback (OEF) 23.9 Radiation protection 23.10 Chemistry 23.11 Emergency planning and preparedness 23.12 Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) 23.13 Sources of further information and advice Chapter 24: Decommissioning of nuclear power plants (NPPs) Abstract: 24.1 Introduction 24.2 Brief history of the development of decommissioning 24.3 Development of decommissioning cost- estimating methodologies 24.4 Development of long-term planning for decommissioning 24.5 Decommissioning technologies and research and development 24.6 Overview of the decommissioning phase of a nuclear power plant (NPP) lifecycle 24.7 Management of decommissioning waste and the recycling of materials 24.8 International experience 24.9 Sources of further information and advice Part IV: Appendices Appendix 1: The justification test for new nuclear power development: United Kingdom experience Abstract: A1.1 International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and origins A1.2 European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) legislation and European Court of Justice and UK case law on justification A1.3 UK regulations A1.4 Application of justification test to nuclear new build proposals A1.5 Conclusions Appendix 2: Nuclear safety culture: management, assessment and improvement of individual behaviour Abstract: A2.1 Introduction A2.2 Definitions A2.3 The organization A2.4 Assessing the stage of developmentof safety culture A2.5 Identifying the lack of safety culture A2.6 Improvement of safety culture A2.7 Conclusion Appendix 3: Nuclear installation safety: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) training programmes, materials and resources Abstract: A3.1 Background and introduction A3.2 Building competence and effectiveness of training A3.3 Training of leaders for safety, emerging regulators A3.4 Challenges for building sustainable competence systems A3.5 IAEA training materials and related resources A3.6 IAEA training resources on the Web A3.7 The IAEA interdepartmental group on training and Web-based training resources A3.8 Regional cooperation, knowledge networks and harmonized approach to training management A3.9 Conclusions and recommendations for efficient and sustainable training systems to build competence A3.10 Acknowledgements A3.12 List of abbreviations and acronyms A3.13 Annex: Four quadrants competencies model based on TECDOC 1254 and SARCoN guidelines Appendix 4: Simulator training for nuclear power plant control room personnel Abstract: A4.1 Reasons for simulator training A4.2 Deciding who should be trained in full-scope simulators A4.3 Operating scenarios for training A4.4 Competencies to be acquired A4.5 Defining good simulator training A4.6 Requirements for simulators A4.7 Other applications for training simulators A4.8 Conclusion Appendix 5: Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP): multilateral cooperation in nuclear regulation and new reactor design Abstract: A5.1 Introduction A5.2 Programme goals and outcomes A5.3 Programme implementation A5.4 Current activities A5.5 Interim results A5.6 Future trends Index