World Nuclear Association Blog

 
The Co-operation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing (CORDEL) Working Group is continuing to advance its goals of international standardization of nuclear reactor designs and is currently working on developing new reports on industry’s best practices, for example in the area of licensing and on the allocation of vendor-operator responsibilities for managing design changes during operation. A new Pilot Project on harmonization of mechanical codes and standards has started and members’ input is urgently required.

One of the main purposes of CORDEL remains to be representation of the industry vis-a-vis regulatory initiatives, primarily the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP is a group of regulators of 10 countries which are engaged in design reviews for new nuclear build). Representatives from CORDEL led a special discussion session on industry initiatives and standardization at the MDEP conference 15-16 September in Paris where over 120 nuclear regulatory and industry experts met to discuss impressive accomplishments of the MDEP and the future of global nuclear safety.

There are currently five active Task Forces in CORDEL where WNA members are welcome to join in: 

• IAEA nuclear safety standards: continuous participation in revision of nuclear reactor design related safety standards. 
• Design Change Management Task Force (TF): developing institutional mechanisms in the industry to enable compliance with standardization throughout standard fleet’s lifetime 
• Standards and codes TF: cooperation with SDOs of various countries in convergence of industry codes
• Probabilistic safety goals TF: promotion of harmonization of industry’s methodologies and values 
• Licensing and permitting TF: industry interests – efficiency & risks reduction; also in support of emerging markets (this is a joint CORDEL-NLC WGs task force).
  

 
WNA representatives are participating in a number of INPRO meetings at the IAEA in Vienna this week. INPRO (The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles) was established in 2000 to help ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute to meeting the energy needs of the 21st century in a sustainable manner. 

Danielle Goodman, from WNA member company Planergie, is taking a key role in an INPRO Dialogue Forum on Small and Medium-Sized Reactors. WNA's Jonathan Cobb is participating in the INPRO SYNERGIES meeting, which is looking at how international collaboration could have advantages for the development of sustainable nuclear fuel cycles. A number of representatives from WNA member companies are also participating in both meetings. More information on INPRO can be found on the IAEA's INPRO website.