Fuel solutions for the future

In a context of increasing demand for competitive, CO₂ free energy generation, nuclear power plants must operate safely, reliably and with the highest possible level of availability. Performance and reliability are essential points for all players in nuclear fuel activities and their search for optimized safety and economics. For such a sensitive and technology savvy activity, performance and reliability need extensive and renewed experience, demonstrated track-record and continuous research for improvement. Security and flexibility of fuel supply are key elements to preserve customer's long term energy production plans. AREVA's comprehensive presence on the entire fuel cycle, together with its industrial manufacturing base and capacity allow providing supply solutions guaranteeing customers high plant availability and economics of power production. After a short introduction of AREVA's activities and experience in the fuel cycle, the presentation will focus on fuel market drivers and illustrate with examples the applications of quality processes and policies in fuel design and manufacturing to improve performance, reliability, security and flexibility of fuel supply which are a global industry goal to achieve zero fuel failures. (author)