Research in the regulatory context

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the actions taken by the OECD/NEA to help its member countries deal with the problem of maintaining adequate safety research programmes to ensure effective regulation and operation of nuclear power plants. In particular the paper will summarize the conclusions of a major workshop held in June 2001 in which top regulators, heads of industry and research organisations discussed in broad terms what is needed to ensure adequate research capability. A number of collective needs have been identified, some of the key recommendations are: -) thermo-hydraulics: maintain one major facility per reactor type because of the need to perform tests, to support code development and provide educational opportunities; -) severe accident: address the need for a centre of excellence in fuel-coolant interaction and fission product behaviour; -) fuel reactor physics and integrity of structures: maintain status of hot cells and research reactors; -) human factors and plant control and monitoring: maintain the Halden project as a centre of excellence; -) seismic: monitor availability of large shaking tables; and -) fire safety: establish international database, consider possible additional research