[en] For a continent handicapped by a shortage of electricity, developing energy from renewable sources, in particular solar power, holds promises of progress. It leads to original solutions, such as solar power stations, mini-networks and individual solar kits for a poor, dispersed population. The new government policy promoting off-grid power sources has allowed Benin to launch several projects. Nevertheless, we have to highlight that the potential of renewable energy is greatly under-used. Only 2% of communities have been equipped with mini-solar plants for electricity production and 6% use photovoltaic solar kits

[en] A large scale program to develop a conceptual design for a demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO) has been initiated in Europe. Central elements are the baseline design points, which are developed by system codes. The assessment of the credibility of these design points is often hampered by missing information. The main physics and technology content of the central European system codes have been published (Kovari et al 2014 Fusion Eng. Des. 89 3054–69, 2016 Fusion Eng. Des. 104 9–20, Reux et al 2015 Nucl. Fusion 55 073011). In addition, this publication discusses key input parameters for the pulsed and conservative design option $\mathtt{E}\mathtt{U}\mathtt{D}\mathtt{E}\mathtt{M}\mathtt{O}\mathtt{1}\mathtt{2015}$ and provides justifications for the parameter choices. In this context several DEMO physics gaps are identified, which need to be addressed in the future to reduce the uncertainty in predicting the performance of the device.

Also the sensitivities of net electric power and pulse duration to variations of the input parameters are investigated. The most extreme sensitivity is found for the elongation ($\mathrm{\Delta <!--\; ??\; -->}{\mathrm{\kappa <!--\; ??\; -->}}_{95}=10\mathrm{\%<!--\; \%\; -->}$ corresponds to $\mathrm{\Delta <!--\; ??\; -->}{P}_{\text{el},\text{net}}=125\mathrm{\%<!--\; \%\; -->}$). (paper)

[en] Innovative financing and market policies are one way that investment in new build nuclear power plants is becoming more attractive, which may help to pave the way for a clean energy future. Nuclear power — which produces no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during operation — has been widely recognized by many countries for its important role in reducing GHG emissions and mitigating climate change. Its flexible and continuous stream of energy can also supplement supplies when other energy sources, such as variable renewables like wind or solar are not available.Despite these benefits, one of the biggest challenges with adopting nuclear power is economics. While the economics of nuclear power from today’s fleet remains competitive in many markets, financing a new plant has high up-front capital expenses and requires long-term investment.

[en] Generally, a safety license system for nuclear facilities is implemented by governments. According to the requirements of nuclear safety regulations, accident analysis should be developed to demonstrate the safety of nuclear power plants by the operating organization during the licensing process. Similarly, accident analysis is also necessary for nuclear ships to be certificated by the shipping classification society and attain licenses from the nuclear safety authority before construction and operation. The scope and contents of accident analysis of both nuclear power plants and nuclear ships are studied and comparisons in major issues are summarized. Relevant results can be referenced in the development of licensing accident analysis and rulemaking for the upcoming floating nuclear power plant. (authors)

[en] Twice a year, RTE publishes a forecast study of the electricity supply and demand in continental France for the summer and winter periods. The study is based on the information supplied by electric utilities concerning the expected availability of power generation means and on statistical meteorological models. Safety margins are calculated using thousands of probabilistic scenarios combining various production and consumption situations. This report is the forecast study for the summer of 2019

[en] Advances in materials science and technology are helping to extend the lives of nuclear power plants, so countries can continue reaping their clean energy benefits. Most nuclear power reactors were initially built to have an operating life of between 30 and 40 years. Extending the life of a nuclear power plant involves assessing an existing plant and determining if it can safely, securely and cost-effectively continue operating past its assumed retirement date. When a plant’s life is extended, operations can often continue for an additional 20 to 40 years.

[en] In recent years, nuclear power enterprises always pay much attention to how to improve the management ability and achieve the management goal smoothly. However, the building of management system should go first before the management ability to be improved. According to the practices of building the comprehensive management system for Jiangxin nuclear power project, this paper introduces the process of establishing the comprehensive management system briefly. The paper also sums up the important issues during the establishment of the system for the purpose of sharing experience and providing reference for the construction of such systems by follow-up nuclear power enterprises. (authors)

No abstract available

[en] Often, current engineering approaches for nuclear power plants (NPPs) are still very similar to those put in place decades ago. Such approaches might have been adequate in the past, where regulatory and operational requirements were less stringent than they are today. They may still be adequate for evolutionary designs, where a proven-in-use design is improved but not radically modified. They are not optimal for innovative designs such as highly manoeuvrable reactors, hybrid reactors (combining production of electric power with other uses of energy to cope with demand variations), SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) or Gen IV reactors. In particular, engineering and safety knowledge could be better structured and systematic, and specific information easier to retrieve and understand. The approach proposed in this paper combines and takes advantage of research work currently being done at EDF R&D on several subjects: the engineering of complex systems (typically, cyber-physical or even socio-cyber-physical systems, and systems of systems), the design of innovative reactors, and safety justification. (author)

[en] The paper discusses the evolution of fire safety regulations in the United States since the 1975 Browns Ferry fire. It discusses the challenges the nuclear power industry had with the original, unrealistic deterministic rule and the reasons why, 20 years later, risk-informed methods were introduced. The paper will discuss in-depth why addressing fire safety has been one of the most challenging and costly regulation for US NPPs. The paper analyzes the problems with the original proposed regulation and the efforts the US nuclear power industry took to address this complex regulation. The paper will also provide key lessons learned, and provide methods and solutions for addressing fire safety, “the right way” which will be essential for other countries facing strict fire safety regulations. (author)