Second International Symposium on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management

15-18 October 2007
Shanghai, China

Online registration is now closed.
Participation is still possible by sending your completed Participation Form (Form A) through the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or national atomic energy authority). A participant will be accepted only if the Participation Form is transmitted through the competent official authority of a Member state of the IAEA or by an International organization invited to participate.
Information on Symposium Logistics
Final Programme (PDF)
Practical Information for Participants NEW
Hotel Reservation Form and Technical Visit Registration Form
(last deadline 15 August 2007)
List of conference hotels and map
Information and Registration Form for Commercial Exhibition
Guidelines for the Authors (PDF)
Deadline for submission of full paper extended to 1 August 2007!
Guidelines for the Preparation and Presentation of a Poster
Participation Form (Form A): PDF, Word
Form for Submission of a Paper (Form B): PDF, Word
IAEA Proceedings Paper Template in Word 2000
To download the template, right-click on the icon to the left and select “Save Target As” from the menu. The corresponding Winzip archive contains the template.


Announcement and call for papers

Untitled Document

1. BACKGROUND

The world’s fleet of nuclear power plants is, on average, more than 20 years old. Even though the design life of a nuclear power plant is typically 30–40 years, it is quite feasible that many plants will be able to operate in excess of their design lives, provided that nuclear power plant engineers demonstrate by analysis, trending, equipment and system upgrades, increased vigilance, testing and ageing management that the plant will operate safely. In the operation of nuclear power plants, safety should be always the prime consideration. Plant operators and regulators must always ensure that plant safety is maintained, and where possible enhanced, during a plant’s operating lifetime.

Nuclear power plant life management (PLiM) has gained increased attention over the past decade, and effective ageing management of systems, structures and components (SSCs) is a key element in PLiM for the safe and reliable long term operation of nuclear power plants. A PLiM programme is an effective tool that allows an operator to safely and cost effectively manage ageing effects in SSCs. A PLiM programme helps to facilitate decisions concerning when and how to repair, replace or modify SSCs in an economically optimized way, while assuring that a high level of safety is maintained. The option for extended nuclear power plant operation has been recognized by operators and regulators alike, as evidenced in the number of licence renewal programmes that are being developed by Member States.

The safe long term operation of nuclear power plants must also address non-physical ageing issues. A large portion of the qualified workforce will retire in the next few years, and it is essential to address this loss of expertise. Structured workforce planning is needed throughout the life of the plant in order to ensure that ageing of the workforce does not degrade plant safety and performance, and also in order that knowledge in utilities, regulatory bodies and contractors is effectively captured and transferred throughout a plant’s life.

The IAEA recognizes the safety and cost considerations of extended nuclear power operation and has organized a major international symposium on the newest developments, best practices and issues surrounding the extended operation of older plants. The IAEA also recognizes that new plants will be operated for extended periods of time and that efficient PLiM is important for maintaining and increasing nuclear power plant operational safety, availability and reliability.

The IAEA organized the First International Symposium on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management in Budapest, Hungary, from 4 to 8 November 2002. Participants at that symposium placed a high value on information exchange during the symposium and recommended that another symposium be organized within the next four to five years. Therefore, the IAEA is organizing the Second International Symposium on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management. This symposium will focus on topical issues affecting nuclear power PLiM and thus is expected to be of particular interest to managers and technical managers involved in the operation or regulation of nuclear power plants and research reactors.

2. OBjective

The objectives of the second international symposium on PLiM are to:

Emphasize the role of PLiM programmes in assuring safe and reliable nuclear power plant operation;

  • Provide a forum for information exchange on national and international policies, regulatory practices and safety culture and to demonstrate strategies, including application in an ageing management and PLiM programme;
  • Provide key elements and good practices related to the safety aspects of ageing, ageing management and long term operation;
  • Identify the progress on ageing management and PLiM processes since the first international symposium;
  • Help Member States further develop their PLiM programmes based on the newest technology available.
3. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE and topics

To facilitate the objectives of the symposium, each session will have the following format:
  • A keynote speaker, who will present an invited paper;
  • A set of presentations that supplement specific areas within the session topic and are designed to stimulate discussion among symposium participants;
  • A set of detailed technical papers that present the state of the art of the subject area.
Opening Session: Opening, plenary and keynote presentations

Opening addresses will be made by a senior management representative of the IAEA, a representative of the Government of China and the Chairperson of the Symposium, who will be a senior manager from the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The session will set the symposium objectives and provide background information on the status and trends in the field of nuclear power PLiM. Keynote presentations will provide information about the background of PLiM technology that will emphasize the safe operational life of existing plants.

Session 1:Approaches to plant life management

The aim of this session is to share information and best practice on the application and approach to PLiM for long term operation from the safety and economic point of view. Topics to be addressed in the contributed papers are:
  • General methodology of PLiM, scope, terms, definitions and development;
  • General methodology for component selection;
  • Selection criteria for plants as candidates for long term operation;
  • Provisions for operational licence renewal, relicensing process;
  • Special requirements for periodic safety assessment reviews;
  • PLiM feedback for advanced/improved design features;
  • Consideration of design basis reconstitution;
  • Quality assurance issues associated with PLiM.
Session 2: Economics of plant life management

The aim of this session is to improve plant economic performance through PLiM. Topics to be addressed in the contributed papers are:
  • Potential business opportunities and risks, including power uprating issues related to PLiM;
  • Cost effective strategy for modernization and replacement;
  • Economic analysis for decision making;
  • Cost effective technologies/practices for maintenance, inspection and surveillance;
  • Pre-shutdown preparation strategy and procedures, including technical aspects;
  • Long term strategies for spent fuel and waste management;
  • Activities during decommissioning and associated costs;
  • Decommissioning waste and fuel strategies and related radiation protection aspects.
Session 3: Ageing management and related operational programme

The aim of this session is to share technical updates on ageing management issues, including identification of maintenance, inspection issues and mitigation to material degradation. Topics to be addressed in the contributed papers are:
  • Characteristics of effective ageing management programmes;
  • Structural integrity programme on long lived passive components;
  • Record keeping and condition based and other methods of monitoring degradation;
  • Time limited ageing analysis (e.g. embrittlement, pressurized thermal shock, fatigue, equipment qualification);
  • Maintenance optimization through predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance;
  • Inspection methodologies and strategies;
  • Risk and reliability evaluation of components and piping;
  • Mitigation of material degradation.
Session 4: System, structure and component design modification, modernization, refurbishment and replacement

The aim of this session is to share information on SSC design modernization, refurbishment and replacement programmes for ageing, obsolescence and additional safety requirements. Topics to be addressed in the contributed papers are:
  • Aspects of SSC design modification, modernization, refurbishment and replacement (procurement, obsolescence and qualified spare parts availability);
  • Large component replacement, such as steam generators and reactor vessel heads;
  • Effective management of instrumentation and control (I&C) modernization, including methods and tools;
  • Lessons learned from the planning and implementation of new I&C systems.
Session 5: Managerial issues concerned with plant life management

The aim of this session is to share experiences and lessons learned on management systems solving technical issues presented in the previous session, and to identify outstanding managerial issues in the field. Presentations will cover:
  • Managing operational experience;
  • Management system/decision making process;
  • Health and safety in the work environment;
  • Human–system interface;
  • Assessing competence needs, including contractors;
  • Succession planning;
  • Training methods and knowledge management;
  • Workforce planning issues concerned with PLiM and long term operation.
Session 6: Regulatory issues concerned with plant life management

It is essential to learn about regulatory requirements in different countries. The aim of this session is to discuss the sharing of roles and responsibilities among the parties involved, and polices on regulatory aspects. The following topics will be covered:
  • Licensing application process;
  • Contributions of operational experience for effective regulation;
  • Harmonization of regulatory requirements at different levels;
  • Maintaining and improving safety;
  • Requirements for spent fuel and radioactive waste storage.
Closing Session: Panel discussions and closing of the symposium

This session will include short presentations followed by a panel discussion on current national approaches to PLiM. The panel discussion by high level technical experts will be on technical issues and will consider:
  • Technological issues;
  • Regulatory issues;
  • Political issues;
  • Safety culture;
  • Public acceptance.

To conclude the symposium, the Chairperson of the Symposium and session chairpersons will participate in a panel discussion on key issues related to PLiM and will present their summaries.

Technical tour

A technical tour of the Qinshan nuclear power plant site (three pressurized water reactor units and two pressurized heavy water reactor units) is foreseen for 19 October 2007. Additional information about the tour can be found as it becomes available on the IAEA web page (see Section 15).

4. EXHIBITION

A limited amount of space will be offered by the host, the CNNC, for company displays/exhibits during the symposium. Interested parties should contact the local organizers:

Ms. Jiao Zhuo
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Site
Haiyan, Zhejiang, China
Tel.: 0086 573 6935982
Fax: 0086 573 6935992
Email: jiaozh456@yahoo.com.cn

Copy to Mr. Chen Changhe
Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation
C hina National Nuclear Cooperation,
1A, Nansanxiang, Sanlihe,
Beijing , China
P.C., 100822
Tel.: 0086 10 68572070
Fax: 0086 10 68513717
Email: chench@cnnc.com.cn

5. AUDIENCE

The symposium is directed mainly at staff of utilities, research and design organizations, regulatory bodies, and manufacturing and service companies, as well as government decision makers concerned with near, medium and long term energy needs.

6. PAPERS AND POSTERS

Concise papers on issues falling within the topics outlined in Section 3 may be submitted as contributions to the symposium. All papers, apart from invited papers, must present original work; they should not have been published elsewhere.

(a) Submission of synopses

Persons who wish to present a paper or poster at the symposium must submit an extended synopsis (in English) of 800 words (i.e. two A4 format pages of single spaced typing or the equivalent, including any tables or diagrams and a few pertinent references) together with the completed Form for Submission of a Paper (Form B) and the Participation Form (Form A) The extended synopsis and the forms must be sent to the competent official authority (see Section 13) for transmission to the IAEA in time for them to be received by the IAEA by 14 March 2007. In addition, the synopsis should be sent electronically to the Scientific Secreta ry, Ki Sig Kang, email: plim @iaea.org. The synopsis should give enough information on the content of the proposed paper to enable the selection committee to evaluate it. Introductory and general matters should not be included.

Authors are urged to make use of the following Extended Synopsis Template in Word 2000:

To download the template, right-click on the icon to the left and select “Save Target As” from the menu. The corresponding Winzip archive contains the template.

The specifications and instructions for preparing the synopsis and how to use the synopsis template are given in the attached “Instructions on how to prepare the extended synopsis and how to submit it electronically”. Attached to this announcement is a sample extended synopsis.

The synopsis will be considered only if the Participation Form A and Paper Submission Form B have been received by the IAEA through the official governmental channels or one of the cooperating organizations.

(b) Acceptance of papers/posters

In order to provide ample time for discussion, the number of papers that can be accepted for oral presentation is limited. If the number of relevant and high quality papers submitted for selection exceeds the acceptable number, some of them will be selected for poster presentation.
Authors will be informed by 14 May 2007 whether their paper has been accepted by the Programme Committee on the basis of the synopsis submitted. At the same time authors will be advised if their paper has been accepted for oral presentation or for presentation as a poster. Furthermore, those authors who are asked to prepare full papers for publication in the proceedings will receive guidelines for the preparation of papers and will be informed of the deadlines for their submission. However, all of the accepted synopses will be reproduced in unedited form in the Book of Extended Synopses, which will be distributed at registration.

(c) Proceedings

The proceedings of the symposium containing all presentations including conclusions and recommendations will published by the IAEA as soon as possible after the symposium.
The IAEA reserves the right to refuse the presentation or publication of any paper that does not meet the expectations raised by the information originally given in the extended synopsis.

7. PARTICIPATION

All persons wishing to participate in the symposium are requested to register in advance online. In addition they must send a completed Participation Form (Form A) and, if relevant, the Paper Submission Form (Form B) and the Grant Application Form (Form C) to the competent national authority (see Section 13) for subsequent transmission to the IAEA . A participant will be accepted only if the Participation Form is transmitted through the competent national authority of a Member State of the IAEA or by an organization invited to participate.
Participants whose official designation has been received by the IAEA will receive further information on the symposium approximately three months before the beginning of the meeting. This information will also be posted on the symposium web page (see Section 15).

8. EXPENDITURES

No registration fee is charged to participants.
As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay for participants’ travel and living expenses . However, limited funds are available to help meet the cost of the attendance of selected specialists, mainly from developing countries with low levels of economic resources. Generally, no more than one grant will be awarded to any one country.
If governments wish to apply for a grant on behalf of one of their specialists, they should address specific requests to the IAEA to this effect. Governments should ensure that applications for grants:
(a) Are submitted by 14 March 2007;
(b) Are accompanied by a duly completed and signed Grant Application Form (see attached Form C).
Applications that do not comply with the conditions stated under (a) and (b) cannot be considered.
The grants awarded will be in the form of lump sums and will usually cover only part of the cost of attendance.

9. WORKING LANGUAGE

The working language of the symposium will be English. All communications, synopses, abstracts and papers must be sent to the IAEA in English.

10. DOCUMENTS

A preliminary programme of the symposium will be sent to participants before the meeting. The final programme and the book of extended synopsis will be available upon registration.

11. SYMPOSIUM LOCATION and ACCOMMODATION


The symposium will be held at the Shanghai International Convention Center (Oriental Riverside Hotel), which takes 40 minutes by taxi from Pudong international airport and 25 minutes by taxi from Hongqiao domestic airport.
 Shanghai International Convention Center
Accommodation

Detailed information on accommodation and other relevant matters will be sent directly to all designated participants approximately three months before the meeting. This information will also be made available on the symposium web page as soon as possible:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/meetings2007.asp.

12. VISA

Participants who require a visa to enter China should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of China as soon as possible. In addition, personal information (full name/nationality/occupation/employer/passport number/duration of stay) should be submitted to the host organization, Mr. Chen Changhe, Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, CNNC, 1A, Nansanxiang, Sanlihe, Beijing, China, P.C., 100822, Fax: 0086 10 68513717, email:chench@cnnc.com.cn, one month prior to the symposium.

13. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

The Participation Form (Form A) and, if applicable, the Forms for Submission of a Paper (Form B) and Grant Application (Form C) should be sent to the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, national atomic energy authority) or to one of the cooperating organizations for transmission to the IAEA. Subsequent correspondence on scientific matters should be sent to the scientific secretariat, and correspondence on administrative matters to the IAEA Conference Services Section.

14. CONTACT INFORMATION

Scientific secretariat:
Mr. Ki Sig Kang
Division of Nuclear Power
IAEA
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22796
Fax: +43 1 2600 2007
Email: ki-sig @iaea.org

Email address for paper submission: plim@iaea.org

Mr. Takeyuki Inagaki
Division of Nuclear Installation Safety
IAEA
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 2600 22018
Fax: +43 1 26007
Email: t.inagaki@iaea.org

Administration and organization:

Ms. R. Perricos
Division of Conference and Document Services
IAEA
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Tel.: +43 1 2600 21315 or 21311
Fax: +43 1 26007
Email: r.perricos@iaea.org
General mail for IAEA: official.mail@iaea.org

Host government liaison:

Mr. Chen Changhe
Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation
C hina National Nuclear Cooperation,
1A, Nansanxiang, Sanlihe,
Beijing , China
P.C., 100822
Tel.: +86 10 68572070
Fax: +86 10 68513717
Email: chench@cnnc.com.cn
Ms. Jiao Zhuo
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant Site
Haiyan, Zhejiang, China
Tel.: +86 573 6935982
Fax: +86 573 6935992
Email: jiaozh456@yahoo.com.cn

15. SYMPOSIUM WEB PAGE

Please visit the IAEA symposium web page regularly for new information regarding the symposium:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/Announcements.asp?ConfID=155