By Kaitlin Cottrell, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

Are you interested in submitting an abstract for the Joint OECD/NEA – IAEA International Symposium on Probabilistic Safety Assessment for Reactors of Singular Designs, to be held in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, from 23 -25 February 2022? If so, submit an abstract by November 15  for consideration.

A probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) is a systematic and comprehensive approach to evaluate complex technological infrastructures at nuclear power plants. The objective of such assessments is to understand and evaluate the risks, examining the design and operation of components at nuclear power plants. The goal is to ensure and demonstrate the safety at nuclear power plants.

PSAs were introduced as complements to deterministic safety analysis methods and are widely used in the nuclear sector.

However, there are challenges connected with conducting PSA on reactors with unique designs and/or with limited operating experience, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), research reactors, demonstration reactors, prototype reactors and first of a kind reactors – which are sometimes referred to as reactors of “singular designs”.

The symposium will serve as a forum for participants to exchange information on the use and application of PSA for singular design reactors, as well as the key differences and challenges for performing analysis. The event will consist of plenary and technical sessions, as well as facilitated discussion sessions with the aim of creating a common understanding of the possible benefits and application areas, challenges and possible solution paths in the field of PSA for reactors of singular designs.

Topics to be addressed during the event are as follows:

• Experience of conducting PSA for reactors of singular designs (including supporting analysis).
• Differences and challenges of PSA for singular design reactors compared to classic PSA (including supporting analysis).
• Operational experience from reactors of singular designs.
• Lessons learned and recommendations for development of PSAs and use of risk-informed decision making processes for reactors of singular designs.

The symposium aims to attract staff from regulatory bodies, designers, operating organizations, technical support and research organizations, as well as consultants who are engaged in activities related to the PSA of reactors with singular design.