VI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “PROSPECTS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF INNOVATIONS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY”

 

The VI International Conference “Prospects for the Introduction of Innovations in Nuclear Energy” took place on September 26-27, 2024, in Kyiv, in the Grand Conference Hall of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The main organizers of the event were the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the NAS of Ukraine, the Council of Young Scientists at the Department of Energy and Energy Technologies of the NAS of Ukraine with the support of a wide range of partners, the most important of which being the Joint Stock Company "National Nuclear Energy Generating Company "Energoatom" and major Ukrainian and foreign companies and organizations.

The main task of the event was to involve a wide range of experts and public representatives to a constructive discussion of the scientific and technical problems of the functioning and development of Ukraine's nuclear energy sector.

The conference has become a key platform for discussing topical issues relating to nuclear energy. The event focused on the analysis of the latest technologies, opportunities for implementing innovations in the industry, as well as prospects for international cooperation to ensure safe and efficient use of nuclear energy.

The main topics of the conference were as follows:

  • Construction of new power units based on AP1000 technology;
  • Development of small modular reactors;
  • Prospects for nuclear waste storage and disposal;
  • Implementation of new materials and methods in the nuclear industry;
  • Using digital technologies for enhancing NPP safety;
  • Implementation of innovative methods for monitoring and control of safety at nuclear power plants;
  • Environmental and social aspects of nuclear energy development.

During the first day of the conference, presentations were made on the current status of nuclear energy and nuclear research in Ukraine and in the world, as well as threats and challenges that affect reliability and safety in the nuclear industry under conditions of war.

On the first day, NSC KIPT was represented by Valeriy Zuyok, PhD, Senior Research Assistant, with a report “Substantiation of service life extension of RCCA at operating NPPs in Ukraine. Final calculations”.

The second day of the conference included two panel sections: “Innovations for Sustainable Development of the Nuclear Industry” and “Innovations for Sustainable Development and Enhancement of NPP Safety” held in parallel.

The panel section “Innovations for Sustainable Development of the Nuclear Industry” included the following presentations: Ganna Riedkina, Junior Research Assistant, NFC STE, National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. “Ensuring safe storage of spent nuclear fuel in dry storage conditions. Scientific support” and Anton Kushtym, PhD, Junior Research Assistant, NFC STE of the National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. “Investigation into the process of electric arc welding of VVER-1000 fuel rods and absorber rods”.

The panel section “Innovations for Sustainable Development and Safety Enhancement of NPPs” included a presentation by Ihor Chernov, Junior Research Assistant at NFC STE, National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. “Corrosion resistance of hafnite and zirconate pellets of rare earth elements in simulated VVER-1000 reactor coolant environment”.

In general, the panel discussions focused on the present experience of nuclear fuel operation at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The participants discussed technical and performance aspects of fuel operation, including its efficiency, reliability, as well as safety issues in the conditions of long-term operation of Ukrainian NPPs. A special emphasis was made on the behavior of structural materials used by Westinghouse to produce nuclear fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants. Another important topic was the discussion of the prospects for long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The issues related to spent fuel storage at the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility (CSFSF) and Dry Spent Fuel Storage Facility (DSFSF) were addressed.

The NFC STE experts were asked a lot of questions which highlighted once again the importance of the activities performed by NFC STE NSC KIPT for the Ukrainian nuclear industry. All the questions were given detailed answers, supported by the experimental results related to the experience of fuel operation and dry storage, previously published in their own research publications.

We are sincerely grateful to all those involved in organizing and holding such an event, which was a great opportunity to discuss current issues in nuclear energy with a wide range of experts. 
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