The SSTC NRS Summarizes the Work Results under the APIS Project in 2023
During 2023, the SSTC NRS experts carried out activities in the framework of Work Package 1 (WP) of the APIS project related to the development of a new design of fuel assemblies for the VVER-440 reactor. The technical assessment of key safety issues and design features of the proposed solutions taking into account the relevant licensing experience of new types of fuel in Ukraine and considering current provisions of the IAEA standards became the SSTC NRS contribution.
In general, the organization is involved in 7 out of 11 Work Packages of the APIS project and coordinates activities in WP7, the purpose of which is to study the impact of the introduction of new fuel on the long-term operation of power units.
Activities in the framework of WP4 are aimed at improving the efficiency of fuel licensing for VVER-440 reactors by maximally harmonizing approaches to licensing in different European countries. WP4 is a continuation of the work performed in the framework of the previous project “European Supply of SAfe NUclear Fuel” (ESSANUF, 2015-2017, https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/671546). Jointly with the partners, the SSTC NRS participates in the definition of the structure and development of technical reports on operational and design limits for nuclear fuel and the safety analysis work scope, including a document that should determine the amount of data required for licensing a new fuel design (“Interface Document for Fuel Licensing”). Such activity involves close cooperation with the nuclear regulatory authorities of Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, Finland and the Czech Republic. The reports (documents) developed in the framework of WP4 will be provided to regulatory bodies for review and further discussion with project participants during seminars organized by the Consortium.
Westinghouse Electric Sweden as a developer and supplier of new fuel, as well as the NPP operators in Slovakia and the Czech Republic – Slovenske Elektrarne AS and CEZ AS – participate in the WP7 activities coordinated by the SSTC NRS. The main research activities in the framework of WP7 will be carried out by the SSTC NRS. Currently, the development and updating of models to study the impact of new fuel designs on the service life of the VVER-440 and VVER-1000 is ongoing, as well as the analysis of possible strategies for reducing the radiation load on the reactor vessel and internals.
As part of other Work Packages, preparatory activities were carried out during 2023 in accordance with the APIS project schedule.
FOR REFERENCE: APIS is an acronym for Accelerated Program for Implementation of secure VVER fuel Supply. The purpose of the APIS Program is to create conditions for a safe supply of nuclear fuel for pressurized water reactors, which were built according to Soviet designs and are operated in EU countries and Ukraine, by diversifying fuel sources with full compliance with nuclear safety. The APIS project strengthens Europe’s ability to supply nuclear fuel for VVER-440 reactors through the provision of fuel designs and production capacity in Western Europe, as well as through the establishment of cooperation between participating countries on fuel licensing.
The SSTC NRS is a participant of the APIS project (https://apis-project.eu), which is implemented as part of the Euratom Research and Training Program for 2021-2025 (Horizon Euratom) and is co-financed by the European Union. The project started in January 2023 and will last 36 months. The international Consortium implementing this project includes 12 partner organizations from eight European countries, led by Westinghouse Electric Sweden.
The APIS project involves partners from eight European countries: operators nuclear installations: CEZ AS – Czech Republic, NNEGC “Energoatom” – Ukraine, Fortum – Finland, MVM Paks NPP – Hungary, and Slovenske Elektrarne AS – Slovakia; fuel designers and manufacturers: Westinghouse (Sweden) and Enusa (Spain); organizations engaged in nuclear fuel engineering and research: Joint Research Center JRC – European Commission – Belgium, ÚJV Řež, a.s. – Czech Republic, Uppsala University – Sweden, VUJE, a.s., Slovakia, and scientific and technical support organization to the Ukrainian regulator – SSTC NRS.
