Learning from operational experience and applying this knowledge promptly and intelligently is one of the ways to improve the safety of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Recent reviews of the effectiveness of Operational Experience Feedback (OEF) systems have pointed to the need for further improvement, with importance being placed on tailoring the information to the needs of the regulators. In 2007, at the request of a number of nuclear safety regulatory authorities in Europe, the Institute for Energy of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (EC JRC) initiated a project on Nuclear Power Plant operational experience feedback, which adopts an integrated approach to the research needed to strengthen the European capabilities for assessment of NPP operational events and to promote the development of tools and mechanisms for the improved application of the lessons learned. Consequently, a so-called “European Clearinghouse” on NPP OEF was established, which includes scientific officers from the EC JRC, a number of European nuclear safety regulatory authorities and some of their Technical Support Organizations (TSOs). The paper discusses the activities implemented in 2008 within the framework of the European Clearinghouse on NPP OEF (hereinafter called the European NPP Clearinghouse) and provides an overview of the main conclusions drawn from the safety studies performed. Outlook of the activities carried out in 2009 are given.
The European Commission has recently launched a new initiative dedicated to Nuclear Safety in Central and Eastern Europe called after “Safety of Eastern European Type Nuclear Facilities” (SENUF). SENUF contributes to bring together all stakeholders of the nuclear safety programs for the Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States (TACIS) and the Poland Hungary Aid for Reconstruction of the Economy (PHARE): beneficiaries, end users, Eastern and Western nuclear industries, and thus, to favour fruitful technical exchanges and feedback of experience. At present, the main focus of SENUF is the nuclear power plant maintenance as a substantial element of plant operational safety as well as life management. A dedicated Working Group has been established on plant maintenance. 10 members have joined in the starting period. After a thematic introduction the paper discusses the maintenance optimisation general aspects and current activities in the CIS and CEEC, the paper presents SENUF and reports about the first activities developed within the working group One of its major tasks in 2004 was to prepare a status report on advanced strategies to optimise maintenance. Optimisation projects have an interface with the plant’s overall life management program. Today, almost all plants belonging to SENUF members have an explicit policy to extend their service life. Thus, component ageing management, modernisation and refurbishment actions became much more important. Preliminary results of the extended inquiry are already available which show a rather homogeneous propagation of techniques and methods in general. A web-enabled database has been developed to provide maintenance managers and engineers with adequate information on “Advanced and Special Equipment, Tools, Materials and Processes” in order to help them selecting the most appropriate and cost efficient solution for their maintenance needs. Information about the existence, the main parameters of such equipment and the experience of their usage that can be valuable for others facing similar problems, will be shared through easy access by members. Currently, the activity is starting to develop into the area of Reliability-Centred and Risk-Informed Maintenance, taking benefit from cooperation with the IAEA. Further extension of the memberships is expected in the near future.
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