IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. – serie

This revised publication provides comprehensive guidance for Member States on integrating national industries into the development and implementation of nuclear power programmes. Aligned with the IAEA’s Milestones approach (captured in IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1 (Rev. 2)), it outlines how industrial participation can support every phase of a nuclear power programme and the full plant life cycle — from national decision making through construction, operation and decommissioning. Drawing on international experience, including case studies from Finland, France, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, the publication offers practical tools such as checklists, supplier evaluation frameworks, and localization planning guidance. It addresses key topics including technology transfer, supply chain development, regulation and capacity building, supporting policy makers, regulators, operators and industrial stakeholders in strengthening national capabilities and ensuring long term programme sustainability.

This publication provides practical guidance for the development, implementation and application of Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) for the pretreatment, treatment, conditioning, transportation, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste. The WAC approach is largely independent of the type of facility (processing, storage, or disposal) and is appropriate for very low level waste, very short lived waste, low level waste and intermediate activity level short lived waste, including unpackaged waste (for example, parts of decommissioned steam generators or pressure vessels). It can also be applied to the management and disposal of disused sealed radioactive sources declared as radioactive waste. This publication is a valuable resource for all those concerned with the development and implementation of appropriate WACs, including those involved in waste generation, processing and waste package production, as well as regulators, radioactive waste management organizations and technical support organizations.

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries has unveiled its transformative potential for enhancing the safety, security, efficiency and reliability of nuclear power plants (NPP). While AI technologies are advancing rapidly in various fields, their adoption in the nuclear power industry remains in the nascent stages, characterized by pilot projects and limited deployment. This publication provides general guidance on the aspects that need addressing when deploying AI applications in NPPs. It presents the latest information, up to date best practices, experiences, benefits and challenges related to AI in the life cycle of NPPs.

Management systems are designed to support nuclear organizations in achieving their objectives effectively, efficiently, and sustainably, while addressing all relevant requirements. These include safety, environmental, performance, reliability, and economic objectives, as well as meaningful engagement with interested parties. This publication provides technical guidance and showcases examples of international best practices for evaluating whether a management system is fit for purpose. It is intended for a broad audience, ranging from professionals involved in the daily implementation of management systems to individuals with a general interest in nuclear organizations. It covers all phases of the facility life cycle with a particular focus on the construction and operational stages.

The decision to develop a nuclear power programme is a significant undertaking by any country. In preparing the necessary nuclear power infrastructure, there are numerous activities that must be completed in a timely manner in line with the objectives of the nuclear power programme. This publication defines three milestones in the development of the infrastructure necessary for introducing nuclear power and provides guidance on the activities that need to be carried out before each milestone. This new revision incorporates the experiences and feedback from several countries which have already completed or progressed significantly in all three phases. It also includes an annex for outlining the specific infrastructure considerations for Small Modular Reactors, which are expected to be deployed in a number of countries in the coming years. This publication is principally for decision-makers, advisers and senior managers in government, utilities and regulatory bodies in Member States interested in introducing nuclear power.

Implementation of a geological disposal programme for radioactive waste is a major undertaking. Consideration must be given to the long time over which the programme operates, the technical assurance which needs to be demonstrated to ensure long term safety and security, and the socially and politically sensitive nature of radioactive materials management. This publication provides a roadmap for developing and implementing a geological disposal programme for spent nuclear fuel declared as waste, high level, and intermediate level waste. It identifies the important components and sequences of activities that are the responsibility of the implementing organization to construct and operate a geological disposal repository in a manner consistent with existing international experience. The publication also provides information on how several advanced programmes have progressed along their respective roadmaps toward siting, constructing, and operation a geological repository.

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.