The IAEA and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), USA, have signed a Practical Arrangement for Scientific and Technical Cooperation on Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Technologies Applied to the Operation and Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants. The event celebrating this arrangement took place on 18 September 2012, as a side event to the 56th IAEA General Conference.
Alexander Bychkov, IAEA Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, attended the event, praising the benefits of the future collaboration of the two organizations.
"The IAEA and EPRI will expand their information exchange in the field of nuclear safety and nuclear technologies to support currently operating nuclear reactors and new nuclear power programmes," said Mr. Bychkov.
Neil Wilmshurst, Vice President of EPRI, emphasized the importance of the global effort in nuclear energy.
"Continued interest in and growth of commercial nuclear power around the world highlights the importance of coordinated global engagement on issues related to safe, reliable nuclear plant operation and management," Mr. Wilmshurt said.
The three-year cooperation between the two organizations will focus on promoting research in four key areas: nuclear power technology development, nuclear power plant operation, decommissioning and waste disposal. The technical areas covered by the agreement include post-Fukushima risk evaluation; plant ageing and materials degradation; digital instrumentation and controls; nuclear waste characterization and disposal technologies; and advanced nuclear fuel technologies. In addition, the IAEA and EPRI will collaborate on public information efforts and issue joint documents to further promote information dissemination on the topics covered.
The Practical Arrangement supports the IAEA's initiatives under the Nuclear Safety Action Plan to conduct research together with other organization in the field of nuclear safety, technology and engineering, and share this with Member States and the general public.
Background
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is a US-based non-profit organization that brings together scientists and engineers, as well as experts from the industry and academia to perform research relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. The Organization's participation extends to more than 30 countries and its Members represent over 90 per cent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States.