[en] The facilities with pebble bed HTR being built or planned are based on a reactor core and a pressure vessel with cylindrical type of construction. As a possible future completion of this construction line in the present work an annular design of the reactor is presented with a central column of the vessel for reinforcing and prestressing of the cover. Besides constructional advantages this alternative offers the possibility to insert reflector rods as 1. shutdown system even in case of great power units. The efficiencies of different rod configurations are analysed for the one-zone and multi-zone core and the rod balances for the 1. and 2. shutdown system are calculated and listed up. (orig.)

[en] The term inherent safety, or inherently safe, has become widely used and misused throughout the world over the last decade. This document presents a consensus on the meaning and use of a number of descriptive terms for so-called passively safe reactors. The overall purpose of this effort was to start the process of describing and understanding such terms. Eliminating current confusion and misuse of terms by members of the nuclear community would render the terms more meaningful and improve communication. Precisely described technical meanings, corresponding to common usage, to terms used in public discourse, and in other technologies should enhance the credibility of the community with the public

[en] The steady growth of the world's population and the enhancement of the standard of living will make the demand for energy grow correspondingly. Not only for economic reasons, but also in the interest of the environment and the global climate will strategies for meeting the global energy demand have recourse to nuclear energy. One can even expect a renaissance of nuclear technology based on evolutionary and innovative developments, as nuclear energy is the sole energy source offering the potentials of power generation at justifiable technological risk and economic investment, while contributing to curbing CO₂ emissions. Nuclear technology transfer to the developing countries however is an important task in this strategy for the future. Transfer of know-how and simpler technical standards are required (common problems, common rules, common products). Also, the development of breeder reactors and high-temperature reactors should be a major objective, in order to fully exploit the nuclear option, i.e. conserve energy resources, and meet the demand for process heat. The wide range of tasks ahead in the development of advanced nuclear reactors requires enhanced cooperation and exchange of information at international level. Experience and capacities of the IAEA make this organisation the proper and sole available global forum for performing the tasks to be fulfilled, and Member Countries of the IAEA should support the organisation also in their own interest. (orig.)

[en] The second half of the twentieth century has seen nuclear power evolve from the research and development environment to an industry that supplies 17% of the world's electricity. The past decade, however, has seen stagnation in nuclear power plant construction in the Western industrialized world, slow nuclear power growth in Eastern Europe and expansion only in East Asia. But the turn of the century is potentially a turning-point for nuclear power because of: increasing world energy consumption, with nuclear power's contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear fuel resources sustainability, and improvements in operation of current nuclear power plants; advanced reactor designs that will improve economics and availability, and further enhance safety; and continued strengthening of the nuclear power safeguards system. This paper looks at the role that small and medium-sized reactors can play in an increasingly competitive global energy market, particularly with regard to maintaining a sustainable mix of energy sources. (author)

[en] In the countries considered, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, one can observe an amazing degree of mutuality, despite historical and political differences, as far as nuclear energy is concerned. All of these countries have set up medium-and long-term master plans for their electricity sector. These are adjusted at regular intervals to the latest developments of regulatory framework conditions. The policy of ''away from oil'' and logistic problems were and continue to be the driving force of diversification in the power sector and therefore nuclear energy is a major factor there. In the next 20 to 30 years, at least another 65 nuclear power plant units will be added to the 11 which are presently under construction. Ecological issues are still playing a subordinate role in the countries of vivid industrial development and their policies for building and shaping the energy sector. (orig./DG)

No abstract available

[en] The electricity supply options in developing countries are assessed in terms of their need for small and medium power reactors. The world status of nuclear power is summarized and the growing share of nuclear power in developing countries is discussed. The prospects for small HTGRs in these countries are considered for electricity generation and for process heat applications. (author)

[en] During the last fifty years remarkable results are achieved in the application of nuclear technology for the production of electricity. Looking ahead to the next fifty years it is clear that the demand for energy will grow considerably and also the requirements for the way the energy will be supplied. Within the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO), the future of the energy demand and supply was explored and several scenario's identified. A leading requirement for energy supply is coming up and will play a crucial role: sustainability of the way the energy supply will be realized. Fulfilling the growing need for energy in developing countries is as well an important issue. Based on these scenario's for the next fifty years, an inventory of requirements for the future of nuclear energy systems has been collected as well a methodology developed by INPRO to assess innovative nuclear systems and fuel cycles. On the base of this assessment, the need for innovations and breakthroughs in existing technology can be defined. To facilitate the deployment of innovative nuclear systems also the infrastructure, technical as well as institutional has to be adjusted to the anticipated changes in the world such as the globalization. As a contribution to the conference the main messages of INPRO will be presented

[en] This paper presents the IAEA International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO). It defines it's rationale, key objectives and specifies the organizational structure. The IAEA General Conference (2000) has invited all interested Member States to combine their efforts under the aegis of the Agency in considering the issues of the nuclear fuel cycle, in particular by examining innovative and proliferation-resistant nuclear technology (GC(44)/RES/21) and invited Member States to consider to contribute to a task force on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycle (GC(44)/RES/22). In response to this invitation, the IAEA initiated an International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles, INPRO. The Terms of Reference for INPRO were adopted at a preparatory meeting in November 2000, and the project was finally launched by the INPRO Steering Committee in May 2001. At the General Conference in 2001, first progress was reported, and the General Conference adopted a resolution on Agency Activities in the Development of Innovative Nuclear Technology [GC(45)/RES/12, Tab F], giving INPRO a broad basis of support. The resolution recognized the unique role that the Agency can play in international collaboration in the nuclear field. It invited both interested Member States to contribute to innovative nuclear technology activities at the Agency as well as the Agency itself to continue it's efforts in these areas. As of December 2001, the following countries or entities have become members of INPRO: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey and the European Commission. In total, 15 cost-free experts have been nominated by their respective governments or international organizations. The objective of INPRO is to support the safe, sustainable, economic and proliferation resistant use of nuclear technology to meet the global energy needs of the 21st century. Phase I of INPRO was initiated in May 2001. During Phase I, work is subdivided in two subphases: Phase IA (in progress): Selection of criteria and development of methodologies and guidelines for the comparison of different concepts and approaches, taking into account the compilation and review of such concepts and approaches, and determination of user requirements. Phase IB (to be started after Phase IA is completed): Examination of innovative nuclear energy technologies made available by Member States against criteria and requirements. This examination will be performed by Member States on the basis of the user requirements and methodologies established in Phase IA. In the first phase, six subject groups were established: Resources, Demand and User requirements for Economics; User requirements for the Environment, Fuel cycle and Waste; User requirements for Safety; User requirements for Non-proliferation; User requirements for crosscutting issues; Criteria and Methodology. (author)

[en] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the charter to foster the exchange of scientific and technical information, and encourage and assist research on, and development and practical application of, atomic energy for peaceful uses throughout the world. This paper describes the IAEA's activities in gas-cooled reactor (GCR) technology development. The IAEA has established three international working groups (IWGs) on technology development for advanced water-cooled, gas-cooled, and liquid-metal-cooled reactors. Each IWG is composed of leaders in the national programs and meets periodically to exchange information and progress reports, to identify areas of common interests for collaboration, and to advise the IAEA on its technical programs. Countries participating in the International Work Group on Gas-Cooled Reactors (IWGGCR) include Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, the Russian Federation, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States