[en] Beyond the traditional controversies, the author explains clearly what is the nuclear energy and makes a distinction between the real risks and the unfounded fears generated by nuclear power. The author, who is expert in nuclear safety, was director of the French institute of nuclear protection and safety (IPSN) and president of the permanent group on the safety of reactors. (J.S.)

[en] The massive French programme of power reactor construction is being accompanied by a large increase in safety research on PWRs, fast reactors, and the fuel cycle to enable the safety authorities to quantify the available safety margins in the designs. (author)

No abstract available

[en] As a consequence of the decision of choosing light water reactors (PWR) for the French nuclear plants of the next ten years, a large safety program has been launched referring to three physical barriers against fission product release: the fuel element cladding, main primary system boundary and the containment. The parallel development of French-designed fast breeder reactors involved safety studies on: sodium boiling, accidental fuel behavior, molten fuel-sodium interaction, core accident and protection, and external containment. The rapid development of nuclear energy resulted in a corresponding development of safety studies relating to nuclear fuel facilities. French regulations also required a special program to be developed for the realistic evaluation of the consequences of external agressions, the French cooperation to multinational safety research being also intensive

[en] The french nuclear programme has been widely publicized. In 1985, the total nuclear electricity generated was around 216 GWh, i. e. 70% of the electricity produced by electricity de France (EDF). If we consider only pressurized water reactors, at the end of 1985, 37 units were in operation (32 900 MWe and 5 1300 MWe) and 18 were under construction. I intend to review our experience with the safety of PWR's, but I will first present briefly some aspects related to the safety organization in France and the standardization policy. (author)

No abstract available

[en] The paper reports on France's experience in the development of power reactors.

[en] The program of nuclear power development currently pursued by France is notable for its standardized design and operations as well as its scope. In this article, an official of Electricite de France, the national electric utility, highlights the benefits and limitations of such standardized practices. With regard to safety issues he notes that, despite some deficiencies, the overall impact is positive, contributing to implementation of safety programs and early detection of quality assurance programs. 1 figure, 2 tables

[en] This paper tries to bring some elements and to ask the main questions about nuclear power plant decommissioning. 5 refs

[en] The main points of a report by a working group of senior nuclear safety experts are summarized. These are prefaced by an outline of the history of the group, its objectives and progress. The main conclusion is that the risk associated with the operation of Western nuclear power plants is so low that it is fully justified in view of their environmental and economic advantages. This view is based on risk analyses performed in several countries which show that the probability of being injured or killed as a result of a radioactive release following a nuclear accident is extremely low. Neither the likelihood of accidents, nor the damage they might cause, is greater for nuclear power plants than for other methods of generation. (U.K.)