RRFM 2009 Transactions - European Nuclear Society

The research reactor community possesses the expertise to address these concerns,
although, this knowledge is not uniformly available. Parochial attitudes and competitive
behavior restrict information sharing, dissemination of best practices, and mutual support that
could otherwise result in a coordinated approach to market development, building upon
strengths of facilities. These attitudes are based, in part, on the belief that the markets for
research reactor products and services are “zero-sum,” with market gains by one research
reactor resulting in losses to another “competing” reactor. However, the success of user
groups and organizations such as WANO in the nuclear power generation sector show that
the benefits of cooperation can be obtained without sacrificing commercial interests.
Renewed interest in nuclear power and the worldwide expansion of diagnostic and
therapeutic nuclear medicine presents new opportunities for research reactors – including by
providing services to countries without such a facility. However, constructing a new national
research reactor might not be necessarily the optimum strategy. A reactor constructed to
meet a specific need may lack sufficient identified utilization to fully occupy the facility, or it
might not be adequately available for its intended purpose. One answer to this dilemma
would be the creation of a new, high-specification multi-national region-based facility rather
than a national facility. Of course, this requires an increased level of coordination between
current and prospective operators.
To address the complex of issues related to sustainability, security, and non-proliferation
aspects of research reactors, and to promote international and regional cooperation, the
Agency has undertaken new activities to promote Research Reactor Coalitions and Centres
of Excellence, in the first instance supported by grants from the Nuclear Threat
Initiative (NTI). The effort also integrates Agency’s regular and extra-budgetary funded
program activities related to research reactors, national and regional IAEA Technical
Cooperation projects, in particular “Enhancement of the Sustainability of Research Reactors
and their Safe Operation Through Regional Cooperation, Networking, and Coalitions”
(formerly RER/4/029, now RER/4/032); Supporting a Sustainable Increase in the Use of
Research Reactors in the Latin American and Caribbean Region through Networking,
Exchange of Experiences, Knowledge Preservation and Training of Human Resources
(RLA/0/037 - ARCAL CXIX), “Nutritional and Health-Related Studies Using Research
Reactors” (RAF/4/020 - AFRA IV-12), and “Integral Use and Safety of the Nuclear Research
Reactor IAN-R1 (COL/1/10).”
The goals, objectives, and generic types of “model” coalitions were described in detail in a
paper presented to RRFM 2008 (“Research Reactor Coalitions - First Year Progress Report,
RRFM 2008 Proceedings.”)
These activities are also part of IAEA and international efforts to minimize the use of Highly
Enriched Uranium in civil nuclear applications. They complement and support IAEA activities
on conversion of research reactor fuel to LEU and return of fresh and irradiated RR fuel to
the country of origin.
2. RESULTS/ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2008
The Agency’s role is to serve as a catalyst and a facilitator of ideas and proposals. Activities
during the second year have resulted in the successful formation of four research reactor
coalitions. Three coalitions have been concluded on the basis of Memorandum of
Understanding or Practical Arrangements as follows:
- Caribbean Research Reactor Coalition: research reactors in Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico,
and Austria; and the IAEA;
http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/ST/NE/NEFW/rrg_CRRC.html
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