On Brazil’s participation in the first ten years of the INPRO project and perspectives ahead.

Abstract

In September 2001, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) to help ensure that nuclear energy is available to contribute to meeting the world energy needs of the 21st century in a sustainable manner. To achieve its objective INPRO brings together technology holders and technology users to consider jointly the international and the national actions to achieve the desired innovations in nuclear reactors, fuel cycles and institutional approaches. This paper reviews INPRO’s main achievements in its first ten years of existence and highlights Brazil’s contributions to the project and the benefits gained from its membership. Among INPRO’s main achievements are the development of the INPRO assessment methodology, key studies and collaborative project results, and the establishment of the Dialogue Forum between technology holders and technology users. Brazil contributed to the project by providing a cost-free expert to the INPRO Coordination Group in 2002, by performing an assessment of two small sized reactors for deployment in the country using INPRO methodology published in 2009, and by participating in two collaborative projects related to technology innovations, which shall be completed by the end of this year. The paper concludes with a short presentation of the opportunities for the country’s participation in the activities of the INPRO Action Plan for the biennium 2012-2013, currently under preparation