Time to Act: Integrating Safety, Security and Safeguards in the Design of Innovative Reactors

Meeting attendees also shared views on possible solutions to overcome 3S challenges. These included creating synergies between the three disciplines from the very initial stage of the SMR design, such as ensuring that intrinsic safety features and safeguards considerations are built-into reactor designs.  Potential areas of synergy included optimal design solutions; fuel design and manufacturing elements; regulatory frameworks that focus on the integration of safety, security and safeguards; nuclear material accountancy and access control.

“There was recognition of the need to actively involve all stakeholders, and to also raise awareness and understanding among experts in the field of nuclear safety, security and safeguards,” said Shahen Poghosyan, an IAEA nuclear safety officer.

Participants also identified and recommended actions for raising awareness about the 3S concept. These included the provision of IAEA guidance and recommendations on 3S by design; drawing stakeholder attention to consideration of 3S interfaces in design safety review missions; conducting capacity building activities on 3S, and taking a holistic approach to risk assessments.

“The need for a coordinated approach to safety, security and safeguards is present throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, and is especially important for innovative SMRs,” said Kory William Sylvester, Director of the Division of Concepts and Planning, IAEA Department of Safeguards. “First-of-a-kind use of certain plant layouts, core designs, fuel materials, and supply arrangements will require new safeguards approaches and, in some cases, technologies.”

Efforts to increase awareness on the importance of the 3S concept were also covered at a webinar held earlier in 2022 where over 400 participants from more than 50 IAEA Member States attended. Participants learned about the first outcomes of the IAEA 3S activities implemented in the framework of the review of applicability of IAEA Safety Standards to evolutionary and innovative reactors. The recording of the webinar is available here.

“Safety usually dominates the scene, followed by security and leaving safeguards (at most) as a distant third in designers’ priorities. Due to their complex interaction, neglecting the needs of one regime might have unintended consequences also on the other two," said Mr Guido Renda, from the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

The IAEA continues to work to integrate the 3S concept for innovative reactors. In line with this, the Agency will hold an International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety: Strengthening Safety of Evolutionary and Innovative Reactor Designs. The conference is taking place at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna from 18 to 21 October 2022 and registration details can be accessed here.