NEA News is the professional journal of the NEA. It features articles on the latest nuclear energy issues concerning the economic and technical aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety and regulation, radioactive waste management, radiation protection, nuclear science and nuclear legislation. Each issue provides facts and opinions on nuclear energy, an update of NEA activities, and a brief presentation of new NEA publications and other NEA news.  

2006 Volume 24, No. 2

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complete issue (pdf format, 1.7 mb)

Editorial - Luis E. Echávarri, NEA Director-General Facts and opinions  

Advanced fuel cycles and radioactive waste management
In a new NEA publication, the effects of various advanced fuel cycles on the management of radioactive waste are assessed relative to current technologies and options, using tools such as repository performance analysis and cost studies. The results of the study show that advanced fuel cycles offer possibilities for various strategic choices regarding uranium resources and optimisation of waste repository sites and capacities, while keeping almost constant both the radiological impact of the repositories and the fi nancial impact of the complete fuel cycle.

  Impacts of nuclear power plant life management and long-term operation
Nuclear energy is an important component of electricity supply in many OECD countries and is increasingly gaining the attention of policy makers and the public in light of its real potential role in long-term energy strategies aiming at sustainability and minimising the risk of global climate change. For many operating nuclear power plants, it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of regulators that the plants can be operated safely and efficiently for a significantly longer period than was envisaged when they were designed, with lifetimes of 50  to 60 years being likely in many cases. NEA updates   International peer review of a nuclear regulatory self-assessment   Releasing the sites of nuclear installations   Very high fuel burn-ups in light water reactors   Differences in regulatory criteria for the long-term safety of radioactive waste disposal News briefs   Legislative update: France   Multinational Design Evaluation Programme(MDEP) Stage 2   NEA joint projects New publications   Publications released in 2006
NEA News is the professional journal of the NEA. It features articles on the latest nuclear energy issues concerning the economic and technical aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety and regulation, radioactive waste management, radiation protection, nuclear science and nuclear legislation. Each issue provides facts and opinions on nuclear energy, an update of NEA activities, and a brief presentation of new NEA publications and other NEA news.

2006 Volume 24, No. 2

Download
complete issue (pdf format, 1.7 mb)

Editorial - Luis E. Echávarri, NEA Director-General

Advanced fuel cycles and radioactive waste management
In a new NEA publication, the effects of various advanced fuel cycles on the management of radioactive waste are assessed relative to current technologies and options, using tools such as repository performance analysis and cost studies. The results of the study show that advanced fuel cycles offer possibilities for various strategic choices regarding uranium resources and optimisation of waste repository sites and capacities, while keeping almost constant both the radiological impact of the repositories and the fi nancial impact of the complete fuel cycle.

Impacts of nuclear power plant life management and long-term operation
Nuclear energy is an important component of electricity supply in many OECD countries and is increasingly gaining the attention of policy makers and the public in light of its real potential role in long-term energy strategies aiming at sustainability and minimising the risk of global climate change. For many operating nuclear power plants, it has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of regulators that the plants can be operated safely and efficiently for a significantly longer period than was envisaged when they were designed, with lifetimes of 50  to 60 years being likely in many cases.

NEA updates

International peer review of a nuclear regulatory self-assessment
Releasing the sites of nuclear installations
Very high fuel burn-ups in light water reactors
Differences in regulatory criteria for the long-term safety of radioactive waste disposal
Legislative update: France
Multinational Design Evaluation Programme(MDEP) Stage 2
NEA joint projects

New publications

Publications released in 2006