EUROSAFE Forum 2009 Brussels: "Safety Implications of an Increased Demand for Nuclear Energy"

Further topics of the event will be recent results of research and development regarding nuclear safety, the disposal of nuclear waste, and radiation protection as well as concerning the physical protection of nuclear installations and nuclear material.

In connection with a rise in the demand for nuclear energy, a number of topics that may have an influence on the safety of the nuclear power plants are of interest. These include the number of new plants planned to be built, the lifetime extensions of existing plants, the number of plants to be decommissioned, necessary research, and the regulatory authority infrastructure to be provided. All these items are closely linked to the necessary expertise, i.e. the expertise and capacity of authorities, technical safety organisations (TSOs), authorised experts and research institutions as well as of plant vendors and operators. To analyse the resulting challenges and to identify possible solutions, the first day of the Forum will concentrate on two essential aspects. The first of these concerns the future requirements for national nuclear safety authorities, the European Union, international organisations, nuclear power plant operators and TSOs. Subsequently, a panel of international experts will discuss together with the audience the challenges faced under the aspect of “safety first!”.

The first day will be rounded off by an invited lecture, given by the first Belgian astronaut, Viscount Dirk Frimout.

On the second day of the Forum, GRS, IRSN, Bel V (the Belgian TSO) and their international partners will present their recent work in four parallel specialist seminars (see http://www.eurosafe-forum.org/files/Eurosafe_Programm2009_Update091027.pdf).

Background
The general aim and the EUROSAFE Approach are presented in detail on the EUROSAFE website: http://www.eurosafe-forum.org/.

In May 2006, a further concrete step was taken to realise the EUROSAFE Approach – the foundation of the European TSO Network (ETSON) (see http://eurosafe-forum.org/formation-european-tso-network).