IAEA Challenge: Innovations in Nuclear Facility Decommissioning 2022

Keeping Our Planet Safe and Clean

The IAEA is inviting students and young professionals to present innovative and original essays about the decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

The decommissioning of nuclear power plants, research reactors and fuel cycle facilities is a domain of growing importance, especially given likely increase in the rate of permanent shutdowns of these plants over the coming 1-2 decades, e.g. two-thirds of world’s 439 nuclear power reactors in current operation are already more than 30 years old. Considering this, the nuclear industry will need more professionals working in decommissioning and attracting the young generation of workers is a key issue.

Challenge

Young professionals and students under 35 are asked to write on one of three topics. The essays can cover how to make decommissioning safer, faster and more effective or how to plan and carry out decommissioning using a circular economy model or how to incorporate a decommissioning strategy into a power plant’s design.

The deadline for submission is 29 April 2022 and shortlisted authors will be asked to provide a 3-minute pre-recorded presentation or video by 27 June.

The winners will be invited to travel to Vienna, Austria, to participate in and present their essays at the IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Decommissioning to be held in Vienna, Austria from 15-19 May 2023.