The goal of the project was the identification and description of safety characteristics of third generation nuclear reactors AP1000, EPR, APWR and ATMEA1, which might be considered as potential candidates for the 2nd nuclear power plant in Krško. The identification of safety characteristics was based on the description of structures, systems, components and their integral performance provided in the vendors' documentations. The identification was performed according to the safety philosophy and safety standards of the UN International Atomic Energy Agency. The review of safety analyses was also performed, in accordance with the classifications of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The knowledge of the research group has thus been applied for a direct support to the potential investor in the second Slovenian nuclear power plant.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 23607847The “Probabilistic Safety Analyses” (PSA) safety factor is one of the 15 safety factors that were reviewed within the scope of the 2nd Periodic Safety Review (PSR) of the Krško nuclear power plant (NPP). The objective of the review of (safety factor) PSA was to determine the adequacy of the protection of the Krško NPP against internal and external hazards, taking into account the actual plant design, actual site characteristics, the actual condition of the systems, structures and components and their predicted state at the end of the period covered by the PSR, as well as current analytical methods, safety standards and knowledge. Based on the review, recommendations and requirements for PSA safety factor were formulated. This is an example of a direct contribution of the research program to the formal evaluation and improvements of the safety of the Slovenian Krško nuclear power plant.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 27387175Through various public media (newspapers and magazines, radio and television, internet), members of the research group explain to the public events and issues related to nuclear energy in an adequate and understandable manner. During the period 2009-2014, there were more than 100 such contributions. This is a very important contribution to the popularization of science and to the public perception of safety aspects of the nuclear power.
F.35 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 25637671Members of the research group, as part of the Jožef Stefan Institute as an authorized technical safety organisation, take part in the overseeing of outage activities and tests at the end of fuel cycles in the Krško nuclear power plant (NPP). They verify that the outage activities and tests are performed in accordance with the required regulations and technical specifications. The activities therefore contribute towards meeting radiation protection standards and to the safe operation of the Krško NPP. This is an example of the direct support in the decision making of the Slovenian nuclear regulatory authority.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 27363111Members of the research group have collaborated in the preparation of the 1st edition of the "Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda", which defines a balanced strategy of research in the field of nuclear energy. The agenda was published in May 2009 by the European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP). The publication describes the research priorities for generations II and III nuclear reactors (safety and risk; severe accidents; improvement of reactor operation; systems, structures and components; fuel development; waste and spent fuel management, decommissioning; innovative design and technology of light water reactors) and generation IV reactors: sodium-cooled reactors, lead-cooled reactors, and gas-cooled reactors. The strategic research agenda is the base document used by the European Commission for the prioritization of the resources in nuclear safety research.
D.03 Membership in foreign/international boards/committees
COBISS.SI-ID: 23133479