Terms for Describing Advanced Nuclear Power Plants
IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NR-T-1.19 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/2071 ¦ 20 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

The terms for describing advanced nuclear power plants (NPPs) need to conform to the broad, general, common understanding by the public as well as by the technical community. This publication is a revision of IAEA-TECDOC-936 incorporating developments and initiatives since 1997 in the areas of advanced, evolutionary, and innovative nuclear reactor designs, description of design development phases, inclusive of relevant safety and regulatory terminology, consistent with current IAEA safety standards and glossaries.

The objective of this publication is to provide Member States with up-to-date terms for describing advanced NPPs, to draw distinctions between design phases reflecting the maturities of designs, and to clarify definitions of commonly used terms in describing advanced NPPs.

Attribution of Radiation Health Effects and Inference of Radiation Risks: Consideration for Application of the IAEA Safety Standards
Safety Reports Series No. 122 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/2026 ¦ 60 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

This Safety Report explains how the concepts of attribution of health effects and inference of risks can be taken into account in the application of IAEA safety standards, so as to implement them more effectively. In particular, this publication demonstrates explicitly what the relevant provisions of the safety standards are for high and moderate levels of exposure where health effects might be able to be attributed to the exposure, and for low and very low levels of exposure where risks can only be inferred.

This Safety Report also aims to support more effective communication by clarifying the proper use of certain concepts detailed in the safety standards and plain language explanations of the concepts of attribution of effects and inference of risk are provided.

Use of Periodic Safety Review for Long Term Operation of Nuclear Power Plants
Safety Reports Series No. 121 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/2010 ¦ 118 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

A periodic safety review is considered an effective way to obtain an overview of nuclear power plant safety. It is also used to determine reasonable and practicable modifications to maintain a high level of safety during continued operation, and to justify operation of a nuclear power plant beyond the original time frame.

The review considers life limiting processes and features of structures, systems and components important to safety, and whether there are any foreseeable circumstances that could endanger the safe operation of the nuclear power plant. This publication addresses the scope of assessment, methods and applicable criteria within the periodic safety review and long term operation programmes framework, to support decision making for long term operation of nuclear power plants.

Worldwide Implementation of Digital Mammography Imaging
IAEA Human Health Series No. 46 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/2011 ¦ 141 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

Digital mammography offers fundamental advantages over film-based mammography. These include the possibility for acquiring quality images at lower radiation dose image recording, processing and archiving as well as the use of artificial intelligence for improving diagnostic outcome.

Other practical advantages include cost reduction, use of environmentally friendly technology, and the option of obtaining remote expert diagnostic opinion. Image quality in mammography is critical. A switch from screen-film technology to a digital system is preferable only if high quality images can be guaranteed. This publication provides guidance on the establishment of digital mammography facilities and the upgrade of existing facilities. It focuses on planning, designing and operating the high quality mammography service within available resources.

Licensing Process for the Construction, Commissioning and Operation of Nuclear Power Plants
Safety Reports Series No. 119 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/2005 ¦ 89 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

This Safety Report provides guidance, targeted towards States newly embarking upon a nuclear power plant programme, on the licensing process and associated procedures needed during for the construction, commissioning and operation stages of a nuclear power plant, so that the applicant complies with national regulations in line with the internationally recognized safety principles and requirements throughout these stages.

The publication elaborates on the generic guidance provided in IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-12, Licensing Process for Nuclear Installations, and gives supplementary practical guidance for nuclear power plants.

Detection at State Borders of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control
IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 44-T ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/1952 ¦ 81 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

Detection of nuclear security events involving nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control is an important challenge facing States. Timely detection of this material can reduce the risk of it being used in criminal or intentional unauthorized acts. This publication provides guidance for States on planning, implementing and evaluating nuclear security detection systems and measures at State borders.

Special consideration is given to designated points of entry and exit and border areas. National competent authorities such as the border guard, customs authorities, national or local law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies will find this guidance useful for developing, designing, implementing, and sustaining detection systems and measures at State borders.

Establishing and Improving Interventional Radiology
IAEA Human Health Series No. 42 ¦ English ¦ STI/PUB/1983 ¦ 116 pages ¦ Date published: 2023

This publication provides a general overview of interventional radiology (IR). It presents an evidence-based rationale for establishing, improving and maintaining an IR service consistent with current clinical knowledge benchmarks. A summary is provided of necessary elements for the establishment of an IR clinical service and to ensure its sustainability.

The publication includes information on specific challenges faced especially but not uniquely in emerging nations, as well as a defined list of expert recommendations. Safety and quality standards are emphasized in addition to necessary funding, human resources, education, training and certification/recertification, as well as involvement of the main professional societies.

IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2023
Outlooks ¦ English ¦ IAEA/PAT/001 ¦ Date published: 2023

The IAEA’s World Fusion Outlook aims to be the global reference for authoritative information and updates on fusion energy—a potentially unlimited, low carbon source of clean energy, which can contribute to decarbonization and diversification of energy generation in the long term. The IAEA has been promoting fusion energy research and development for over 60 years, and it continues to strongly support research and development and future deployment by bringing the fusion community together to create solutions for both scientific and technological challenges.

This first issue of the publication outlines achievements in fusion energy; its safety, security, safeguards, nuclear law and liability challenges; as well as the role of the IAEA and its ongoing efforts.

Country Nuclear Power Profiles: 2023 Edition
Non-serial Publications ¦ IAEA-CNPP/2023 ¦ English ¦ Date published: 2023

The Country Nuclear Power Profiles (CNPP) provide background information on the status and development of nuclear power programmes of Member States. The CNPP's main objectives are to consolidate information on the nuclear power infrastructure and developments in participating countries, and serve as a resource in effective planning, decision making and implementation of nuclear power programmes that lead to safe and economical operations of nuclear power plants.

The CNPP summarizes organizational and industrial aspects of nuclear power programmes and provides information about the relevant legislative, regulatory and international framework in each country. The descriptive and statistical overview of the overall energy and electricity situation in each country and its nuclear power framework are intended to serve as an integrated source of key background information about nuclear power programmes in the world. Statistical data about nuclear plant operations, energy and electricity use are drawn from national contributions and the IAEA's Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), IAEA's Energy Economic Data Base (EEDB) and World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank. The CNPP website is updated continuously, and an annual publication is prepared to provide a high-level overview of programmes in participating Member States. Currently, it contains historical country information for 50 countries, including 30 countries currently operating nuclear power plants, and 20 countries with past or planned nuclear power programmes. The CNPP reports are updated based on information voluntarily provided by participating IAEA Member States. Each of the profiles in this publication is self-standing and contains information officially provided by the respective national authorities.

Building Confidence in the Face of Uncertainty: The Role of the Safety Case. Third Joint FSC-IGSC Workshop
OECD, Nuclear Energy Agency, 2023.

In May 2022, the Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC) and the Integration Group for the Safety Case (IGSC) held a Joint Workshop with stakeholders from Germany, Sweden and Switzerland to assess the challenges in communicating scientific safety evidence to non-technical stakeholders and to find ways to effectively communicate such knowledge to increase confidence in the safety case.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to learn from local stakeholders in Switzerland and abroad about fostering confidence among non-technical audiences and creating engagement in the waste repository development process. This summary report presents the results and general findings of the workshop.