Technical Meeting on Innovation at Operating Nuclear Power Plants

Background

Nuclear power is a vital element of the global electricity infrastructure. More than 370 GW(e) of nuclear capacity, from over 412 operating power reactors, generates approximately 10% of the world’s electricity, contributes to a resilient and stable electric power grid, and helps address clean air and climate change goals. However, changes in the electricity infrastructure of many countries are challenging the economics of the current nuclear plant fleet. While other highly technical industries have successfully deployed innovative technology and process solutions to maintain or even enhance safety while reducing their costs the nuclear industry has been slow to fully embrace these opportunities.

The Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation focuses on accelerating deployment of innovative solutions to address the most urgent challenges facing the sustainability of the existing fleet of nuclear power reactors. The forum is organized by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) in the UK. The first forum was organised in June 2019 and hosted by KHNP in the Republic of Page 2 Korea. A second forum was held in July 2022, hosted by the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and EDF in London, United Kingdom. A third forum will be held in June 2024, hosted by NEXTEra Energy and Florida Power and Light.

This forum focuses on the human, cultural and leadership styles and behaviours that will accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions to address the most urgent challenges facing the sustainability of nuclear power generation. It brings together nuclear plant leaders, regulators, and technology providers from around the world in a collaborative environment and will build on each of the organizer’s ongoing activities.

Objectives

The purpose of the event is to gather relevant experts and share experience on recent and planned innovation at operating nuclear power plants, including how organizations might accelerate future innovation.

This event will run concurrent to the forum mentioned above, allowing participants to fully engage with all planned activities and discussions. The participants will share experiences and explore opportunities to accelerate innovation to improve the competitiveness of these facilities and ensure the ongoing role of nuclear power plants in a transition to sustainable, clean energy systems of the future.

Target Audience

This event is being developed for the benefit of a diverse group of nuclear power plant stakeholders across the nuclear power industrial sector, including utilities, regulators, technical support organizations, laboratories, governments, NGOs and academia. Executive level decision makers interested to improve the economic competitiveness of their facilities through early career professionals interested in strengthening their ability to deliver innovation within nuclear power organisations are all in the scope of targeted participants.

Venue and Visas

The event will be held at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort in Miami, Florida, USA. Participants must make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Participants who require a visa to enter the United States of America should submit the necessary application as soon as possible to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of the United States of America.

Key deadline

1 April 2024: Deadline for submission of the Participation Form (Form A) and if applicable the Grant Application Form (Form C) through competent national authority (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Permanent Mission to the IAEA or National Atomic Energy Authority) or international organization.