The Method Used for Consolidating WWER Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement Knowledge

Abstract

Owing to the worldwide 'Climate Change' discussions in recent years, nuclear energy production has become again an option to be considered. Therefore, new collaboration initiatives were set up, amongst which the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) and the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP), who have recognised the need for preserving, consolidating and disseminating nuclear knowledge, in order to make it easily accessible to future generations. The IE has developed a method for consolidation of nuclear knowledge. The method relies on the mobilisation of all identified leading experts in the EU in re-evaluating old knowledge and consolidating what is necessary to create training materials for the new generations. This method was applied for a pilot study for consolidating and preserving WWER RPV safety-related knowledge. This paper is focused on a description of the methodology, the experience gained and lessons learnt from the pilot exercise.