GIF Industry Forum 2022

The GIF Industry Forum 2022 provided an extensive overview of the latest advancements and opportunities in Generation IV (Gen IV) nuclear technologies. The forum's sessions covered a wide range of topics, showcasing the breadth and depth of current research and development efforts.

The event included discussions on non-electric applications of nuclear energy, economic challenges and opportunities for Gen IV reactors, and the integration of artificial intelligence in nuclear technology. A plenary session emphasized the importance of innovation in technology development, followed by technical sessions on various reactor types, including Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTRs), Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs), Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), and Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs).

The forum also addressed licensing readiness and approaches for Gen IV systems, featured insights from leading innovators, and explored international knowledge management and preservation strategies. This comprehensive program highlighted the collaborative efforts and innovative approaches shaping the future of nuclear energy.

The Session organised by the GIF Economic Modelling Working Group (EMWG) included the following presentations:

• Opening remarks - Fiona Reilly (Fire Energy, United Kingdom)
• EMWG introduction and update - Megan Moore (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Canada)
• Wyoming Energy Authority - Marcio Paes-Barreto (Wyoming Energy Authority, United States of America)
• Westinghouse eVinciTM Microreactor - Eddie Saab (Westinghouse Canada)

These presentations were followed by a panel discussion. The summary of the session will provide more information about the key takeaways of this session. 

The Plenary session of the 2022 GIF Industry forum was a central element of the event. It included the following presentations that served as a basis for further discussion:

• Opening and moderation - Sylvestre Pivet (France)
• Generation IV Goals for Nuclear Energy Systems - Alice Caponiti (USA)
• The Role of Generation IV Technologies in Reaching Net zero Targets - Diane Cameron (OECD-NEA)
• Generation-IV International Forum Achievement - Robert Hill (USA)
• GIF Engagement with the broader Nuclear Industry - Fiona Rayment (UK)
• Q&A Panel

The GIF Risk and Safety Working Group (RSWG) promotes a consistent approach on safety of Gen-IV systems. Since its formation, the group established broad safety principles and attributes as input to R&D plans for specific design tracks based on high level GIF safety and reliability goals, and developed the Integrated Safety Assessment Methodology (ISAM) as a technology-neutral toolkit to support the design efforts. More recent RSWG emphasis has been on preparation of system safety assessments as a summary of high-level safety design attributes and remaining R&D needs, and development of system-specific safety design criteria, in close coordination with the GIF System Steering Committees. This first Advanced Reactor Licensing session, organized jointly by the RSWG and OECD/NEA’s Working Group on Safety of Advanced Reactors (WGSAR), included an introduction of GIF basis of safety approach and presentations from select regulatory organizations on their ongoing licensing readiness efforts and plans, approaches and experience for Gen-IV systems.
 

• Opening remarks - Tanju Sofu (ANL, United States of America)
• GIF basis of safety approach for Gen-IV systems - Tanju Sofu (ANL, United States of America)
• WGSAR effort on materials qualification and lifetime performance - Wendy Reed (NRC, Canada)
• NRC readiness and plans for non-LWR licensing - Boyce Travis (NRC, Canada)
• Licensing readiness plans and summary of vendor design reviews - Caroline Ducros (CNSC, Canada)
• Advanced reactor fuel qualification framework - Boyce Travis (NRC, Canada)
• Terrestrial Energy’s Experience with CNSC’s Vendor Design Review of the IMSR400 - Robert Ion (Terrestrial Energy, Canada)
• Natrium Demo licensing plans - Ryan Sprengel (TerraPower, United States of America)

The objective of this session was to assemble an international SFR panel which discusses the lessons learned on the design, construction, and operation of SFRs (Phénix/Superphénix, Monju/Joyo, and Fast Flux Test Facility) and how the transfer of knowledge is passed on in an international context to companies planning on building SFRs ranging in power from 300 to 1,200Mwe. Our international panel consists of three senior SFR subject matter experts from France, Japan and the United States who have worked on past SFRs or current SFR projects. Our international panel also includes two engineers from Canada and the United States involved with designing/constructing either large or small SFR.

• Opening remarks and panel introduction - Patricia Paviet (PNNL, United States of America)
• European feedback experience on the sodium fast reactors and transmission for the future - Joel Guidez (CEA, France)
• Knowledge management and preservation from Joyo, Monju and JSFR experiences - Hiroki Hayafune (JAEA, Japan)
• Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Knowledge Management and Preservation - Ron Omberg (PNNL, United States of America)
• Natrium: Utilizing the Past to Realize the Future - Patrick Alexander (TerraPower, United States of America)
• Incorporating operating experience and technical developments, the ARC-100 reactor - Cal Doucette (ARC Energy, Canada)
• Q&A
• Closing remarks - Patricia Paviet (PNNL, United States of America)