The workshop on the Approaches to design, implementation and operation of electrical systems for beyond design basis equipment and management of geomagnetically induced currents in electrical systems is organised by the NEA Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installation (CSNI) Working Group of Electrical Power Systems (WGELEC). The workshop will be hosted by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) in Bootle, Liverpool, United Kingdom, from 14-16 November 2023.

Working under the mandate of the CSNI, the main mission of the WGELEC is to advance the current understanding and address safety issues related to electrical systems that would support the continued safety performance of nuclear installations and improve the effectiveness of regulatory practices in NEA member countries. This activity aligns with the main goal of WGELEC to enhance the analysis techniques and robustness of electrical systems to ensure the continued safety of nuclear installations in member countries.

In response to a recognition of the technical and scientific needs, the Working Group of Electrical Power Systems (WGELEC) initiated two activities entitled Approaches to Design, Implementation and Operation of Electrical Systems for Beyond Design Basis Equipment (BDBE) Including Lessons Learned from Fukushima Station Blackout (SBO) and Practices in the Management of Geomagnetic Induced Currents (GIC) on Electrical Systems. The objectives of these two activities are:

• To share detail design, implementation and operational information on the electrical systems that are required for BDBE.
• To improve understanding on how the effects of solar weather, through geomagnetically induced currents (GIC), affect electrical systems.

In the first phase of these tasks, a survey was sent to members of WGELEC and CSNI in order to gain information on the understanding and approaches to these issues in member countries, and to identify common techniques and good practices.

The second phase of the tasks will include this workshop which will bring together experts to discuss their experiences and concerns on the two topics.

The workshop, which will be split into two consecutive sessions, is expected to help identify and characterise the topics, share good practices and identify whether further guidance or research is necessary to help understand the issues and mitigate the risks.

The workshop will focus on exchanging information on the two topics focusing on areas of concern. It will also assess the survey results, and analyse expectations and approaches from a regulatory, operational or design perspective. The workshop will provide an opportunity for nuclear safety specialists to share ideas for improving understanding and developing guidance on the two topics. Attendees are encouraged to provide a short presentation on either their approach or experiences on one or both of the workshop topics.

The workshop will include introductory and technical sessions on each topic as well as a facilitated wrap-up session to capture the learning from the event. Active participation of the workshop attendees in the discussions as well as formulating conclusions and recommendations is highly encouraged and appreciated. Information obtained during the workshop will provide a better understanding and improved interpretations of subjects, topics and issues related to safety.

Two activity reports, one for each task, will be prepared by the WGELEC capturing the survey results together with the workshop proceedings, conclusions and any recommendations for further work. 

Presentations addressing all issues and topics related to the two activities of Design of electrical systems for BDBE and Management of GIC are requested.

The following topics are planned to be addressed at the workshop for each activity:

• Regulatory environment related to the consideration of requirements;
• Supporting data, analysis and uncertainties in defining the events;
• Electrical system architecture adopted to mitigate events;
• Experience with implementation and operation of systems;
• Equipment qualification requirements;
• Overall experiences, lessons learnt and recommendations on good practices; and
• Areas where guidance or further research would be beneficial to improving safety.

Participants

The organisers kindly invite experts from industry, regulatory authorities, technical support organisations (TSOs) and research institutes, as well as safety analysis practitioners and consultants involved in safety assessment of nuclear power plants for external hazards from participating countries to contribute and participate.

Registration

All participants have to register by 18 August 2023 by filling in the Registration Form. Please register via: REGISTRATION FORM.

Presentations

Participants intending to give presentations related to the workshop topics should submit an abstract (up to 500 words) that provides a brief overview of the content of their proposed presentation. All abstracts should be submitted by 23 July 2023 by filling in the Submission Form. The Organising Committee will review abstracts and notify the authors by 31 July 2023 on the acceptance of the presentations. Presentation slides should be uploaded on the event myNEA space or sent to Mr Markus Beilmann (Markus.Beilmann@oecd-nea.org) by 3 November 2023.

Registration fee

The workshop is free of charge for all participants. Accommodation and travel will not be provided and must be organised by the participants.

Language

All presentations and discussions will be held in English, interpretation will not not be provided.