2022 GIF Annual Report

The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) 2022 Annual Report underscores significant advancements in the research and development of Generation IV (Gen IV) reactor systems. The year marked the first in-person Policy Group meeting of GIF members since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, held in Sydney, Australia with representatives from ten GIF member countries. This meeting, crucial for direct interactions, helped propel GIF initiatives forward through enhanced discussions and networking opportunities.

Throughout 2022, GIF achieved notable progress across various domains, including publications, webinars, and outreach, alongside technical advancements in the six GIF systems. Significant updates were made to GIF’s governance policies and a new Policy Statement on Industry Engagement was introduced. 

A key milestone was the inaugural GIF Industry Forum, held concurrently with the Generation IV and Small Reactors fourth conference (G4SR-4) in Toronto, Canada. This event, co-organized with the Canadian Nuclear Society, aimed to foster interactions between GIF members, industry stakeholders, and the small modular reactor (SMR) community.The combined events catalyzed discussions between public and private sectors, enhancing collaboration towards accelerating the demonstration of Gen IV systems. The technical sessions and workshops attracted considerable participation from nuclear developers and industry sectors, focusing on the adoption of low-carbon electricity and heat solutions to achieve global carbon reduction targets. The Industry Forum provided valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of advancing nuclear technology, receiving enthusiastic feedback and requests for the continuation of the GIF Industry Forum biennially.

Looking ahead, GIF is committed to leading global efforts through the GIF Framework to ensure the availability of safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy. The focus over the next decade will include enhancing Gen IV systems to support non-electric applications, address climate change, improve technical readiness, and achieve regulatory harmonization. These efforts aim to facilitate the commercial deployment of advanced systems. Additionally, GIF plans to increase industry engagement through the GIF Senior Industry Advisory Panel, concentrating on transitioning research and development towards demonstration and commercial deployment.