Book of Abstracts of 12th International Conference of the Croatian Nuclear Society: Nuclear Option for CO2 Free Energy Generation

The purpose of the conference series is to present and discuss the most relevant topics concerning the role and position of nuclear option in the current energy balance, with special attention paid to the countries with small or medium electricity grids. In the societal context which is considerably marked by dynamic economic growth and concerns which include energy resources, potential climate changes and increasing greenhouse gas emission the issue of ensuring reliable and sustainable energy is becoming ever more challenging. Nuclear energy, as the CO2 free energy source, should have its place in resolving these concerns and enabling all the countries to cope with challenges under such context. The Conference addresses the most relevant aspects of safety assessment of nuclear energy option. Additionally, it considers the nuclear option also from the point of view of the national energy strategies, resources, costs, technological, organizational and educational requirements, as well as environmental advantages. It, also, focuses on the matters related to the operation and design safety, fuel cycle, waste management, and decommissioning. The important goal of the Conference, as in the previous cases, is to promote regional co-operation and exchange of experience in use of nuclear power and fuel cycle facilities among the countries with an interest in the nuclear option. The importance of international cooperation for the assessment of the nuclear option has been recognized and organized in co-operation with IAEA, Croatian State Office for Radiological and Nuclear Safety and University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. Topics which are addressed by different sessions at the Conference reflect the above mentioned aspects of safety assessment, facility operation and design, fuel cycle, energy strategies at national level, regulatory practices, radioactive waste management, decommissioning, as well as many others. The invited presentations and lectures address as diverse subjects as new nuclear builds (including the move toward small modular reactors), safety upgrade programs, corrective action programs and other aspects of operating experience, possibilities of involvement of nuclear energy in meeting the Paris Agreement, use of thorium in fuel cycles, and issues with legacy radioactive waste. The contributed papers are grouped into 9 thematic sessions: Nuclear Power in Energy and Environmental Planning, Regulatory Practice and Emergency Preparedness, Operation and Maintenance Experience, Power Reactors and Technologies, Nuclear Safety Analyses, Reactor Physics and Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Severe Accident Analyses and Risk Assessment, Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning, Safety Culture, Knowledge Management and Public Relations. One topic of particular interest for this Conference is the role of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) designs in nuclear energy program and possibilities of inclusion of SMRs in the long term energy strategies. Another very 'hot' subject is the issue of knowledge management in the areas covered by the Conference and it is specifically addressed by the round table on 'Knowledge Management's Challenges and Opportunities in Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and Engineering'.