NEA Mandates and Structures


Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS)

Chair(s): Norbert MOLITOR, Germany
Rustam STOLKIN, United Kingdom
Secretary:  Martin BRANDAUER
(martin.brandauer@oecd-nea.org)
Vice-Chair(s): Laurent VELNOM, Germany
Alexandr LOPOTA, Russia
Anders LABBA, Sweden
Paolo PICCA, United Kingdom
Member(s):All NEA member countries*
Russia (Suspended*)
*Russian Federation suspended pursuant to a decision of the OECD Council.
Full participant(s): European Commission
Under the NEA Statute
Observer(s)(International Organisation): International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
By agreement
Date of creation:15 November 2019
End of mandate:31 December 2023

Mandate (Document reference):

  • Mandate of the Expert Group on Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-End (2022-2023) [NEA/RWM(2021)5/FINAL]
  • Summary Record of the 52nd Session of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee held on 19 March 2019 [NEA/RWM/M(2019)6/PROV]
  • NEA Radioactive Waste Management Committee Statement [NEA/RWM(2019)2]
  • Mandate of the  Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS) [NEA/RWM(2019)10/FINAL]
  • Draft Summary record of the 54th Meeting of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee held on 11-12 March 2021 (RWMC) [NEA/RWM/M(2021)2/PROV] (forthcoming)
  • Draft summary record of the First Plenary Session of the  Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS)  held on 7 December 2020  [NEA/RWM/M(2020)6/PROV]
  • Mandate of the Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS) [NEA/RWM(2021)5/FINAL]

Mandate (Document extract):

Extract of document [NEA/RWM(2021)5/FINAL]

[...]

Mandate:

The EGRRS will advise member countries under the RWMC and CDLM on the leading and emerging issues that focus on the development of strategic approaches to facilitate the implementation of RRS in radioactive waste management, decommissioning and legacy management at national and international levels.
The expert group will also support NEA member countries in enabling a more comprehensive application of RRS to benefit the progress of scientific and technical knowledge. This expert group shall:

  • promote the exchange of information on RRS development and application amongst the participants; collect and analyse inputs from participants;
  • study the major and emerging challenges concerning the RRS application; identify the main factors influencing the RRS application; arrange the identified factors and elaborate a plan of actions to support the development in the area of provision of the nuclear back-end programmes with RRS, including future innovative programmes (e.g. advanced types of nuclear reactors);
  • develop recommendations to the member countries on establishing a framework, allowing the wider application of RRS in the nuclear back-end area; strive to achieve shared approaches and standards, where appropriate;
  • support the development and implementation of common procedures, rules, standards, etc. that can facilitate the process of RRS application amongst the potential users of the systems.

Following the first EGRRS mandate, the expert group focused on a global overview of the situation in RRS application, identified and analysed factors influencing the RRS application while providing a preliminary cost-benefit analysis to RRS applications in the back-end field.

In the scope of this mandate, the EGRRS will be focussing on the following topics:

  • developing a systematic approach for comprehensive benchmarking of best practice of RRS applications (database implementation);
  • provide an iterative process of solution-finding towards the identified barriers in the regulatory framework (with regulators, operators, developers, technical supporting organisations, etc.);
  • analyse the future implications of emerging AI developments while monitoring and synergising new developments, and advise the member countries on the implications/opportunities;
  • develop cost-benefit methodology/structure for RRS application in the back-end field, providing a decision-making tool on the “human” vs “robotics” task;

The main directions of future development of recommendations to member countries are to be identified, documented and reported to the RWMC and/or to the joint plenary sessions of the RWMC and the CDLM (as seen appropriated).

Working Methods

The mode of operation of the EGRRS is based upon plenary meetings and an ongoing, project-oriented working programme.

A Bureau including the Chair and one Vice Chair will lead and organise the work of the EGRRS. The Bureau will meet once or twice a year, with one meeting being held in conjunction with the annual EGRRS meeting. Additional Bureau meetings will be organised, when necessary, as requested by the Bureau and per the NEA Division of Radioactive Waste Management and Decommissioning (RWMD) capacity.

The communication within the EGRRS will primarily take place through annual plenary meetings. All other available communication channels will be considered as well if needed.

The EGRRS will report to the RWMC at its plenary meetings and the RWMC and CDLM during their joint sessions (with the agreement of both committees). The EGRRS will report to the RWMC Bureau and the joint RWMC and CDLM Bureaus (with their agreement) at least once per year unless decided otherwise by the respective committees.

Additionally, the EGRRS: (i) will identify resources and schedules for its activities; (ii) will form task teams to work on specific projects and to organise workshops, as appropriate; and (iii) will annually review the programme of work and the effectiveness of the programme.

The current EGRRS mandate is for two years with the possibility of being extended with the approval of the RWMC.

Membership

The EGRRS is a task-oriented expert group. It aims for a composition, which includes a diverse range of senior specialists who have considerable experience and knowledge in the area of the development and application of RRS in the nuclear back-end and are able to mobilise appropriate professionals in their organisation as well as a member country.
This representation will be wide-ranging, and includes decision-makers, R&D institutions/organisations in the field of RRS, test sites, laboratories and facilities, regulatory bodies (various fields) and technical supporting organisations to the regulatory bodies, developers of the main and auxiliary elements for maintenance and repairing of remote/robotic systems, RRS producers/suppliers/service providers, soft and electronic elements developers, environmental organisations and public communication experts and other relevant specialists.

Interactions

The primary interaction of the EGRRS will be with the RWMC and the CDLM to co-ordinate its work to support a holistic approach to radioactive waste management, decommissioning and legacy management. The work of the EGRRS is complementary to the activities of other international organisations, thus using or taking into account the outcomes of activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Commission (EC) as well as other relevant organisations. When appropriate, the EGRRS can provide input relevant to the activities of these organisations and institutions.

In fulfilling its mandate, the EGRRS will be primarily supported by the RWMD staff of the NEA Secretariat.  In addition, the EGRRS will co-operate with the subsidiary bodies of other NEA standing technical committees when relevant. It may also collaborate with the NEA Co-operative Programme for the Exchange of Scientific and Technical Information Concerning Nuclear Installation Decommissioning Projects (CPD).

Deliverables

The expert group will produce appropriate report(s) as well as additional visible outcomes (contribution to/of workshops, conferences, webinars, etc.) with the support of the NEA RWMD Secretariat.