ABOUT THE WORKING GROUPS
Capacity Optimization | Economics | Mining Standardization | Security of the Fuel Cycle
Supply Chain | Transport | Waste Management & Decomm | SAG | Sustainable Used Fuel Management
Many Groups act as the interface for industry with the key international institutions that set the global regulatory framework for nuclear.
Each Group is chaired by an expert from the WNA membership, and has a mentor from the WNA Board. The WNA Secretariat provides administrative and technical support.
Working Groups typically meet three times a year (January, April, September), and activities cover a wide range of topics.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle Plenary Session (Plenary)
Chairman: Emmanuelle Verger (EDF)
Staff Director: Serge Gorlin
The Plenary is the WNA’s largest members’ forum and focuses on developments in nuclear fuel and trade. Sessions consist of formal presentations and panel discussions, as well as reports from interest groups in the areas of primary uranium supply, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, secondary supply and demand. So as to serve as a practical means of informing members about the WNA’s full agenda, the Plenary also receives periodic reports from the drafting group for the WNA biennial Fuel Market Report and other WNA Working Groups.
Cooperation in Reactor Design Evaluation and Licensing WG (CORDEL)
Chairman: Gerry Head (GE-Hitachi)
Deputy Chairmen: Hae Ryong Hwang (KEPCO E&C) and Xavier Pouget-Abadie (EDF)
Staff Directors: Barry Kaufer and Andrew Wasylyk
CORDEL works to promote the achievement of a worldwide regulatory and industry environment where internationally accepted standardized reactor designs can be widely deployed without major design changes. The Working Group brings together experts in reactor design, licensing, nuclear law, safety and engineering, mechanical codes and standards from a wide range of WNA member companies and observers from International Organizations.
In 2013, CORDEL published two reports, one comparing the licensing regimes for the aerospace and nuclear industries, and a second presenting the results of an industry survey about the most efficient licensing regime for new build, and how project and financing structure adapt to various national situations.
CORDEL’s Codes and Standards Task Force is currently undertaking various code convergence studies, and engages with Standard Development Organizations.
CORDEL acts as industry’s voice vis-à-vis the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP) and represents industry on the IAEA’s Nuclear Safety Standards Committee (NUSSC).
Fuel Market Report Drafting Group
Co-Chairmen: positions vacant
Staff Director: Ian Emsley
Published since the 1970s, the biennial WNA Report compiles data from WNA member companies, national sources and international agencies to produce an authoritative projection of global supply and demand. The Drafting Group is broken down into teams, which focus on different areas of the fuel cycle. The participation of experts from all areas of the WNA membership (buyers, producers, consultants) in its compilation gives the report its unique authority.
Radiological Protection WG
Chairman: Willie Harris (Exelon)
Deputy Chairman: Marcel Lips (Kernkraftwerk Goesgen-Daeniken AG)
Staff Director: Jamie Townes
The Radiological Protection Working Group (RPWG), created in 2002, aims to promote improvements in the international system of radiological protection by developing and advocating scientifically sound positions of policy and practice. The RPWG has Special Liaison Organisation status with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and Observer status on the Radiation Safety Standards Committee of the IAEA (RASSC).
The Working Group has identified four principle areas of work:
- Tissue reactions and non-cancer effects of exposure
- Radiological protection in emergency and post-emergency situations
- Radiological Protection of the Environment
- Protection from Radon
Nuclear Law and Contracting WG
Chair: Angela Thornhill (GE-Hitachi)
Deputy Chairman: Bernard Castien (AREVA)
Staff Director: Virginie Ryan-Taix
The NLC Working Group was established in 2010 with a mandate to address all legal issues facing the nuclear industry, with a major focus on legal, regulatory and procurement aspects of nuclear new build. As an additional function, the group offers assistance to other WGs when necessary on ways to respond to specific legal challenges.
In 2012, NLC in conjunction with CORDEL WG published Licensing and Project Development of New Nuclear Plants, a report which analyses the interactions between licensing regimes and commercial activities, and outlines industry’s views on how regulatory regimes can best facilitate investment decisions and reduce project risk.
Capacity Optimization WG
Chairman: Mike Baron (Consultant)
Staff Director: David Hess
The Capacity Optimization Working Group (COWG) was formed in 2007 with the mandate of identifying means by which nuclear operators worldwide can increase the availability of their plants and reach their maximum potential. It’s well known report series Optimized Capacity: Global Trends and Issues tracks the performance of the global nuclear fleet and highlights the principle causes of energy loss.
COWG acts as a hub for:- Global industry cooperation on all aspects of operations, maintenance, and outages.
- Highlighting innovation in technology and management practice, both from within the nuclear industry and externally, that can improve plant performance and economics.
- International exchange of experience and technologies required to permit flexible operations in the face of uncertain future energy markets conditions.
"Participating in the WNA's COWG has helped DNMC optimize outage duration and improve the performance of our six reactors. The technical seminars organized by the Group bring together some of the world's leading utility operations experts and nuclear technology companies. They provide the ideal environment for the sharing of experience and best practice globally, and a great way to find out about innovations in maintenance technology – all at minimal cost." - Steven Lau, Daya Bay Nuclear Management Company.
Industry Economics WG
Chairman: Milton Caplan (MZ Consulting)
Staff Director:
Greg Kaser and Ian Emsley
This WG focuses on developing a better understanding of the capital costs of new nuclear plants and on comparing projections showing the potential role of nuclear power in the 21st century global energy mix.
In 2012, the WG launched a report entitled Nuclear Power Economics and Project Structuring. Looking forward it will continue to analyse the structuring of nuclear projects and their financing in different regions of the world. It will also monitor the effects - nationally and regionally - of countries implementing heavily renewables-based energy strategies, notably in terms of the effects on nuclear power.
Uranium Mining Standardization WG
Co-Chairmen: John Takala (Cameco) and Frank Harris (Rio Tinto)
Staff Director: Jamie Townes
This WG brings together major nuclear utilities and mine operators to cooperate on standardization of routine reporting on sustainable development in the areas of environment, health and safety, and management systems. The aim is to produce valuable, internationally credible information that enables companies to demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility.
This WG also provides industry leadership associated with the risks of radon in uranium mining, through the following steps:
(a) Develop a protocol for determining, with respect to radon decay products, dosimetric parameters for practical implementation in uranium mining
(b) Review the findings of relevant epidemiological studies to help ensure that industry understands underlying issues and remains abreast of scientific developments;
(c) Engage with IAEA, ICRP and other organizations to seek collaboration and cooperation in the development of a practical radon standard consistent with both safety and industry efficiency.
Security of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle WG
Chairman: Pat Upson (Consultant)
Staff Director:Isis Stafford
The Security of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Working Group (SINFC WG) was established in 2005. The original mission, fulfilled in 2006, was to produce a report providing an industry analysis and commentary on the policy debate evolving at that time on sensitive technologies, with particular reference to the IAEA initiative on Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle. The report influenced many proposals subsequently put forward, and continues to be consistent with the fuel bank proposals of the IAEA and National Governments.
During 2011, the Working Group reviewed and updated the report, taking account of some changes, including new fuel bank initiatives which have been proposed. The updated report was approved January 2012, and has been reissued.
From 2011-12, the WG was instrumental in organizing the 2nd Nuclear Industry Summit, the industry event that accompanied the governmental Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012 in Seoul. The WG has maintained a focus on security issues, and since 2013 has become the industry’s interface with the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Guidance Committee (NSGC). NSGC is responsible for developing and issuing IAEA recommendations in the security area.
Supply Chain WG
Chairman: Juan Molina (Westinghouse)
Staff Director: Greg Kaser
The Working Group was set up in 2010 to provide a voice for the industry in working with its key stakeholders, including the investor community, at an international level. A Market Report consolidating key data and information on the nuclear supply chain was published in 2012. It examines three challenges to developing a robust and reliable supply chain: controlling construction costs and schedules, localization of manufacture, and supplier certification and licensing.
The remit of the Working Group encompasses the sharing of general information and leading practices and addressing the common issues in the manufacture of components and systems and associated services to facilitate safe, timely and cost efficient construction and refurbishment of nuclear power plants. The Working Group meets about three times a year or as necessary.
2012 Highlights
- Database of “who does what and where” on key components created (on-going);
- Database on the status of planned and ongoing NPP construction projects (on-going);
- First WNA Market Report on the nuclear supply chain published (September);
- Facilitated discussion on supplier oversight between international technology vendors (on-going);
- Held the first Supply Chain Working Group meeting in India (February);
- Held the 7th Supply Chain Working Group in London focused on vendor certification and export control compliance;
- Staff Director attended the first industry engagement event organized by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs on countering the misuse of nuclear and other technologies (April);
- Staff Director participated in the first exercise of industry engagement undertaken by the Vendor Inspection Coordination Group set up by the OECD-Nuclear Energy Agency’s Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (November); Staff Technical Advisor attended an aerospace industry suppliers performance review meeting as part of benchmarking practices with other industries.
1. Establish a Task Force on Vendor Oversight and Control of Suppliers (VOCS) to report back by the September meeting on a concept for an industry-wide approach to strengthening capability along the supply chain that enhances safety and offers a common approach to quality control;
2. Produce a compendium and ‘rough guide’ to export controls and related trade regulations; work with other partners to develop a ‘shop window’ webpage for companies;
3. Progress the initiative around construction risk management started in 2011;
4. Collate a database of key companies worldwide able to participate in major nuclear projects – ultimately this could constitute a separate “buyers guide”;
5. Continue to provide representation for nuclear suppliers at international fora to improve the regulatory environment for an increasingly international supply chain;
6. Develop ideas for the themes to be addressed in the next Supply Chain Market Report due in 2014.
Transport WG
Chairman: Francisco Tarin
Staff Director: Serge Gorlin
The mission of the Transport WG, formed in 1995, is to act as a forum for communicating industry developments and best practice, as well as to identify and resolve issues relating to the shipment of radioactive materials. The WG focuses mainly on commercial areas affecting the transport of front-end nuclear materials.
The WG is represented on the IAEA’s Transport Safety Committee (TRANSSC) and took part 2008-2013 in the International Steering Committee on Denials of Shipments (ISC-DOS) hosted by the IAEA. It maintains regular contact and coordinates activities with relevant organizations working in the transport domain, such as: World Nuclear Transport Institute, Foratom, the International Source Suppliers and Producers Association, Tantalum-Niobium International Study Centre and the Nuclear Energy Institute.
In 2012, representatives of the Group presented at TRANSSC and ISC-DOS meetings in Vienna, the WNTI Semi Annual Members Meeting in London, and at the WNU Summer Institute in Oxford, and the School on Radiation Technologies in Korea. They also attended Technical Meetings in Vienna where guidance for transport security was amended.
In April 2013, the WG ran an International Workshop on Transport of Class 7 Dangerous Goods in Singapore. The workshop – which attracted over 50 participants from industry, regulatory and port authorities, and shipping lines – had a special focus on South-East Asia and maritime shipments.
The Staff Director chaired the final meeting of the ISC-DOS in Vienna in June, where a strategy for managing the transition of its responsibilities was agreed.
Waste Management and Decommissioning WG
Chairman: Position vacant
Staff Director: Jamie Townes
The Working Group monitors developments and shapes industry positions with a view to improving the international system for waste management and decommissioning. It promotes the appropriate re-use and recycling of material – and safe disposal of wastes – from nuclear sites.
The WG represents industry interests on the IAEA Waste Safety Standards Committee (WASSC).
The priorities of the WG going forward are as follows:
1. Promote the need for a sustainable set of management options for Low Level Radioactive Material (LLRM) as advocated by the 2011 WNA Statement – Towards Greater Efficiency in the Management of LLRM that Concurrently Supports Reuse, Recycling and Disposal – by reaching out to a wide range of key stakeholders to stimulate a fundamental debate on the optimum ways to manage LLRM
2. Encourage and highlight good practices with respect to management of low level radioactive materials, and challenge the misconception that radioactive materials present an unsolvable technical problem, by:
- Demonstrating the wide range of well-established options for re-use, recycling and disposal
- Sharing examples where success has been achieved and the promoting resulting benefits.
4. Monitor developments and advocate the industry’s views on key waste management and decommissioning policies and standards within leading international organisations such as the IAEA, OECD/NEA and ICRP.
Strategic Advisory Group
Co-Chairmen: Jean-Jacques Gautrot (AREVA) and Robert Van Namen (USEC)
Staff Director: Virginie Ryan-Taix
This Group seeks to identify challenges facing the global nuclear industry, opportunities to advance its position in international, regional and national policy arenas, and ways to improve the public acceptance of nuclear energy. Its recommendations are shared directly with the WNA Board of Management.
Group membership is restricted to selected WNA member company representatives who are well positioned to conduct broad analyses of the worldwide nuclear industry, are familiar with WNA’s internal organization and working processes and are well integrated with WNA Working Groups and the Board of Management.
Sustainable Used Fuel Management Group
Staff Directors: Isis Stafford and Jamie Townes
- Share and promote sound, safe, sustainable and proliferation-proof used fuel management strategies and practices,
- Gather the views of the nuclear industry and stakeholders (including newcomers) on the back-end of the fuel cycle and, where challenges are identified, consider how the industry can best respond,
- Explain how used fuel management could further contribute to the sustainability of nuclear energy,
- Develop talking points and key messages to support the industry’s communication with its stakeholders and the public in general.
