For countries looking to introduce nuclear power or expand their programs, choosing the most appropriate reactor technology can be a daunting process.  Everything from site selection and performance requirements to economics and waste management must be taken into account, and not every country has reached the same conclusion.  A new set of support tools developed by the IAEA aims to simplify this process.  

The newly updated publication "Technology Assessment of Recently Deployed Nuclear Reactors", part of the Nuclear Energy Series, improves the IAEA's Nuclear Reactor Technology Assessment (RTA) methodology for making informed decisions about the most appropriate plant design.  It sets out the obligations and responsibilities that are integral to making an informed assessment.  

To complement the updated publication, the Agency has also released the Reactor Technology Assessment IT Kit and the e-learning module.  This module includes an introduction to RTA for all reactor technology lines, as well as non-electrical applications.  To help overcome possible technical misunderstandings between technology vendors and assessors, a new annex in the publication also provides details of information that may be required from vendors.  

"Reactor technologies are extremely complex and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet a wide variety of different needs, both electric and non-electric," said Tatjana Jevremovic, head of the agency's water-cooled reactor technology development team and project manager.  "This new set of tools can facilitate the process of seeking to determine which technologies are best for their countries."  

Recent technological advances have been incorporated into new publications that include elements related to small modular reactors (SMRS), mixed nuclear-renewable energy systems, and non-electric applications such as district heating and hydrogen production.  The latest version also provides examples of how to apply the method in an informed and accurate manner.  

RTA is a decision-making approach based on numerous technical considerations related to nuclear technology, translated into key elements with a subset of key topics.  The revised publication uses examples to clarify the meaning and scope of these elements and topics in practice.  

"Since its initial release in 2013, more frequent and comprehensive RTA training workshops have been held," said Hadid Subki, technical lead at the IAEA and project manager of SMR's technical development.  "These workshops produced practical lessons that have been incorporated into this revision."  

"In the new annex to the publication, multi-level explanations are embedded in various examples that show how to request more information from technology vendors," explains Jevremovic.  "Such information helps countries make informed assessments of reactor technology."  

RTA's technology-neutral, systematic approach evaluates the technical merits of various nuclear power plant technologies available on the market or expected to be commercialized in the near future.  The RTA is in line with the IAEA's Milestone programme - a three-stage approach that provides advice and capacity building to enable countries to develop a national infrastructure for nuclear power programmes.  Currently, about 30 countries are considering, planning or actively working to include nuclear power in their energy mix as a way to meet climate goals and further sustainable development.  

The updated publication and new tools will be used next year at the IAEA Training Workshop for New Nuclear States in ABU Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  Additional workshops and training courses on regional trade agreements are planned for 2023 in Egypt and at IAEA headquarters in Vienna.