GIF Partners and Counterparts
The GIF is a global cooperative framework focused on providing a platform that offers support and advantages to its members in the development of Generation IV systems. A key aspect of its strategy includes collaborating, engaging, and identifying synergies with other international entities to enhance its influence and prevent duplication of work.
Implementing Agents of GIF Members
The key partners and main participants in the GIF collaboration are the implementing agents of GIF members, that have the mandate to engage in both provisional and fully established System Steering Committees, thereby directing the R&D activities undertaken by GIF on Generation IV Systems. This makes the laboratories and various research and development organisations associated with these implementing agents central partners in GIF efforts.
The GIF has made an ongoing effort to co-operate appropriately with international nuclear energy organisations. Under the GIF's updated strategic plan, ties with these organisations are being strengthened in ways that will be mutually beneficial. Development of new co-operation opportunities with universities, industries and academic societies is also being considered.
OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
The OECD NEA not only provides Technical Secretariat for GIF, it also cooperates with GIF through several of its committees.
Among those are:
The International Atomic Energy Agency
GIF IAEA Interface
GIF has had a longstanding cooperation with the IAEA. A yearly GIF-IAEA Interface meeting is held since 2003 to share progress in the area of Generation IV reactors and coordinate efforts in the future.
Links to GIF-IAEA Interface Meetings:
Joint IAEA-GIF Technical Meetings on Safety of Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors
A primary focus of the collaboration between the Generation IV International Forum and the IAEA concerns the safety of sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs). This includes the harmonisation of safety approaches, safety requirements, Safety Design Criteria (SDC), and Safety Design Guidelines (SDG) for next-generation SFRs being developed globally. From 2010 to 2018, seven joint IAEA-GIF Technical Meetings/Workshops were convened to address the safety of SFRs.
Links to Joint IAEA-GIF meetings on Safety of SFRs:
International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation
"The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation provides a forum for cooperation among participating states to explore mutually beneficial approaches to ensure the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes proceeds in a manner that is efficient and meets the highest standards of safety, security and non-proliferation." (source IFNEC website)
As such, this OECD NEA serviced body, is a relevant partner to GIF as many of the Generation IV nuclear energy systems are of interest to IFNEC members.
Multinational Design Evaluation Programme
"MDEP was established in 2006 as a multinational initiative taken by national safety authorities to develop innovative approaches to leverage the resources and knowledge of the national regulatory authorities involved in the review of new reactor nuclear power designs."
As such it is a relevant partner to GIF on all matters related to licensing and safety of Generation IV reactors.
International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles
"INPRO is a membership-based project that supports its members on their long-term planning and collaboration on innovations in reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches that will promote the sustainable development of nuclear energy."
GIF has a successful cooperation with INPRO for more than 20 years as you can see from this presentation by one of the previous GIF Chairs.
Nuclear Industry
GIF has made part of its long term strategy to engage and cooperate with the nuclear industry. You can learn more about these aspects of the GIF Strategy head to the Industry Engagement section of the present website.
The World Nuclear Association is a key international industry association and as such GIF and its members have regular interactions with the WNA and its members.