SS Rivne NPP, JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom”

Receiving inspection of fresh nuclear fuel for VVER-440 reactors

As part of the program for further diversification of nuclear fuel supplies for Ukrainian reactors, in August 2024, NFC STE specialists took part in the receiving inspection of a reload batch of Westinghouse nuclear fuel intended for VVER-440 power units of SS Rivne NPP of JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom”.

The reload batch includes both working cassettes and fuel assemblies, designed, manufactured and delivered in a short time for the needs of VVER-440 reactors at Ukrainian NPPs. All fuel assemblies supplied by Westinghouse have successfully passed the receiving inspection, with no issues with the fuel. They will be loaded into the reactors of SS Rivne NPP of JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom” during the next fuel cycle.

SS Rivne NPP, JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom”

Core Reload

In August, NFC STE specialists continued the series of activities related to the diversification of nuclear fuel supplies at Ukrainian NPPs and further safe operation of the country's energy sector. They took part in the core reload of SS RNPP, Unit 1 of JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom” during the 2024 outage.

The work was carried out within the framework of the agreement between NFC STE NSC KIPT and Westinghouse. NFC STE specialists possess the highest qualifications and unique, long experience in conducting such works.

NFC STE specialists monitored the reloading operations step by step in accordance with the recommended loading sequences. The unloading forces and speed of FA unloading from the fresh fuel containers, fuel storage pool, as well as the forces and speed of loading into the core and the fact of impact of the fuel assembly (force) into the lower support tube (cup) were monitored. Besides, the integrity of the fuel assembly structure components and their design position, abnormal corrosion manifestations were monitored.

Reloading of the core of Unit 1 of SS Khmelnitsky NPP, JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom” was carried out successfully, with no unexpected complications and issues.

UkrNS Youth Nuclear Forum 2024

RNPP hosted the UkrNS Youth Nuclear Forum for the first time.

On 28-30 June, the Youth Nuclear Forum was held at the Rivne NPP site, organized by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society with the support of the JSC “NAEK “Energoatom” primary trade union organization and SS Rivne NPP, and with the financial support of the Energy Safety Group and the Nuclear Power and Industry Workers Union of Ukraine (Atomprofspilka). The event was attended by more than 35 young professionals, scientists and experts of the Ukrainian nuclear industry: representatives of nuclear power plants - Rivne, South Ukraine, Khmelnytsky, Zaporizhzhya NPPs, research institutions - State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Institute for Nuclear Safety Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology, and the industry's leading companies - Energy Safety Group, AtomComplexPrylad, as well as representatives and students of nuclear-related departments of higher educational establishments - Odesa and Lviv Polytechnics.

The purpose of the forum was to bring together young professionals with the aim of communicating, exchanging current ideas concerning the Ukrainian nuclear industry, and engaging young professionals in discussing the important issues of the day. One of the main and most exciting events of the forum was a competition of case studies prepared based on preliminary tasks provided by the organizers.

The tasks were focused on the following topics:

• Efficient development of nuclear energy in Ukraine;
• development of a separate operating nuclear power plant;
• capabilities for construction of small modular reactors (SMR);
• capabilities for construction of large power units of the AR 1000 type;
• ways to recommence Zaporizhzhya NPP operation after NPP de-occupation;
• strategies for reintegration of uninhabited satellite cities of planned but not yet constructed nuclear power facilities into Ukraine's economic and energy infrastructure.

The forum participants formed four teams, each of which had a curator - one of the industry experts - who helped the participants to prepare for solving the tasks. During two weeks prior to the forum, the teams worked on their project presentation ideas, which were finalized during the training session after the participants joined the forum and presented to the jury on the second day of the event. The presentations and reports of the teams were prepared by the participants at an extremely high quality level, and all the projects were highly appreciated by the members of the competition jury. 

In addition to the case study part, the program of the forum included excursion tours to the facilities of Rivne NPP.

The NFC STE NSC KIPT specialists who participated in the event extend their sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the organization and holding of this important event, which became a platform for communication and exchange of experience between specialists, scientists and young professionals in the field of nuclear energy.

SS South Ukraine NPP, JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom”

Receiving inspection

In June 2024, NFC STE specialists took part in the receiving inspection of a reload batch of Westinghouse nuclear fuel intended for VVER-1000 power units of SS South Ukraine NPP, JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom”.

All fuel assemblies supplied by Westinghouse have successfully passed the receiving inspection, with no issues with the fuel. They will be loaded into the reactors of SS SUNPP of JSC “NNEGC “Energoatom” this year, during outages.