The Structure of External Technical Support at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary. Annex I

During the construction period and the years after commissioning of the Paks nuclear power plant, the technical support was provided mainly by foreign entities, primarily the dedicated institutes of the former Soviet Union. By the beginning of the 1990s, a significant drop in the availability of the Russian technical support organizations was observed, and sometimes a lag in development of expertise compared to the industry worldwide was also experienced. Meanwhile, the scientific and technical competencies and capabilities of the domestic institutions meaningfully increased. Based on the last several years of cooperation, the following organizations are considered the most important external technical support providers for the Paks nuclear power plant: — The Hungarian Academy of Science, Centre for Energy Research (in Budapest) performs research and development in the field of nuclear science and technology for facilitating the adoption and the safe use of nuclear technology in Hungary. It participates in international research efforts aiming at the establishment of a new generation of nuclear power plants and closed fuel cycles. The centre also studies the interaction of radiation (including neutrons, gamma rays and electrons) with matter, and does isotope and nuclear chemistry, chemical analysis by nuclear methods, radiography, radiation chemistry, radiation protection and nuclear security, surface chemistry and renewable energy research. A 10 MW(th) research reactor is operated in the campus of the centre. — The Nukleáris Biztonsági Kutatóintézet Kft. or Nuclear Safety Research Institute Ltd, (in Budapest) is mainly concerned with the safety analysis and assessment of nuclear installations. One area of focus of the institute is the enhancement of the nuclear safety level of the Paks nuclear power plant. It also contributes to the determination and evaluation of the specific conditions for the safe and efficient long term operation of the nuclear power plant. — PÖYRY-ERŐTERV Co. (in Budapest) covers the engineering and design of nuclear installations, providing high level engineering support in construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power plants. The company is also competent in all aspects of radioactive waste management. — The Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Institute of Nuclear Technology, operates a 100 kW(th) training reactor and performs scientific research in specific areas. It plays a significant role in graduate level education of engineers and physicists for development of competent technical staff. — The Hungarian Academy of Science, Institute of Nuclear Research (in Debrecen) operates a 20 MeV cyclotron and two Van de Graaff accelerators (5 MV and 1 MV) which provide research opportunities in different areas of nuclear physics and nuclear technology. — The "Frédéric Joliot-Curie" National Research Institute for Radiobiology and Radiohygiene has a wide spectrum of research areas encompassing areas such as the biological effects of radiation and radioisotopes, health physics (operations and environmental protection), disinfection and detoxication. — SOM System Ltd (in Budapest) provides engineering services in licensing and regulatory issues particularly related to nuclear fuel. This office ensures expertise in a wide range of nuclear technical issues and plays a leading role in independent safety assessments and reviews of the nuclear power plant.