Advanced Construction and Manufacturing Methodologies for New Nuclear Build

The construction phase of a nuclear power plant is when project risks are most acute, becoming a key factor in the project’s overall economic and financial performance. Following an extended period without nuclear construction, recent first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects in NEA member countries have faced difficulties delivering on time and on budget. At the same time, these projects have served to renew industrial capabilities and to explore new approaches to construction and manufacturing. Future nuclear projects will continue the learning process, allowing for design improvements and process optimisation, and paving the way towards Nth-of-a-kind (NOAK) projects with lower costs and reduced construction risks. At the same time, smaller, more modular and innovative designs are emerging that could offer additional advantages in the construction of new nuclear power plants through new techniques that are not available in traditional large reactor projects.

The NEA workshop on Advanced Construction and Manufacturing Methodologies for New Nuclear Build will explore recent experiences and the development of construction and manufacturing techniques. The focus will be on near-term advances in nuclear construction, while also providing some indication of future, more long-term improvements that could be made on the basis of design innovations. Workshop participants will also examine the role of regulators and codes and standards organisations in facilitating a wider adoption of advanced construction and manufacturing methodologies.

Opening remarks will be delivered by NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV, and Michel Heijdra, Director of the Electricity Department and Deputy Director-General of Climate Policy and Energy of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.

Agenda

DAY 1: 14:00-17:30 CET

14:00-14:30 Opening session

• William D. Magwood, IV, Director General, NEA

• Michel Heijdra, Director of the Electricity Department and Deputy Director-General of Climate Policy and Energy, Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy

14:30-16:00 Session 1: Presentations that explore lessons from the construction of past and recent large nuclear projects

Session host:

• Diane Cameron, Head of Division for Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

Presenters:

• Harry Chang, Vice President – New Nuclear Business Department, KHNP

• Didier Noël, Methods-Temporary Works Lead for Hinkle Point C, Bylor JV

• Gregory Preston Barnett, Oversight Manager, Georgia Power Company

• Victoria Kitaeva, Expert of International Technical Assistance Project Office, Rosatom

16:00-17:30 Session 2: Panel on insights into advanced construction and manufacturing techniques

Moderator:

• Hasan Charkas, Principal Technical Leader, EPRI

Panellists:

• Bassam Burgan, Director, Steel Construction Institute

• Guillaume Hervé-Secourgeon, Senior Engineer Researcher, EDF

• Steve Jones, Chief Technology Officer, Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

• Ashley Finan, Director of the National Reactor Innovation Center, INL

DAY 2: 14:00-17:30 CET

14:00-14:15 Opening session

• Kirsty Gogan, Managing Partner, LucidCatalyst and Co-founder, Terrapraxis

14:15-15:45 Session 3: Panel on improving constructability with small, modular and innovative nuclear designs

Panellists:

• Giorgio Locatelli, Full Professor, Politecnico di Milano

• Hervé Glandais, Senior Vice President BARRACUDA Programme, Naval Group

• Andrew Sowder, Senior Technical Executive, EPRI

• Jaimie Johnston MBE, Head of Global System, Bryden Wood

• Eric Ingersoll, Founder and Managing Director, Terrapraxis

15:45-17:15 Session 4: Panel on enabling the implementation of new construction and manufacturing techniques in the nuclear sector

Moderator:

• Christopher Fong, Deputy Head of Division for Nuclear Safety Technology and Regulation, NEA

Panellists:

• Julien Niepceron, Engineer, EDF; and Codification Leader of Steel Concrete Structures, AFCEN

• Carolyn Fairbanks, Senior Materials Engineer, US Regulatory Commission

• Stephanie Smith, President and CEO, CANDU Owners Group

• Ronan Tanguy, CORDEL Project Manager, World Nuclear Association

• Mark Tipping, Global Power to X Director, Lloyd’s Register

17:15-17:30 Closing session

• Sama Bilbao y León, Director General, World Nuclear Association

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