On April 26, 28, and 29, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) supported a 3-day Stakeholder Engagement and Communication virtual seminar for Ghana. This was the first of five webinars for the Ghanaian government as part of the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program, led by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the NRC and other U.S. agencies. The FIRST program is supporting Ghana as it explores the adoption of nuclear energy technology.The IRDP’s...
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Virtual Presentation for Eurasia Small Modular Reactor Forum on "Regulatory Considerations for SMRs"
On April 5-6, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) supported a two-day hybrid event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Ankara, Turkey. The Eurasia Small Modular Reactor Forum described potential sustainable energy strategies using small modular reactor (SMR) technology in the United States, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The Forum highlighted the utility of SMR technology in power generation diversification; featured new technological developments in the U.S. and Europe; and provided insights...
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a virtual workshop with the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) from March 14-17, 2022, titled “Aging Management of Research Reactors and In-Service Inspection Programs.” The workshop was the second half of a series on aging management of research reactors. During the workshop Dr. Steve Reese, Mr. Rich Holm, and Mr. Al Adams discussed the structure, philosophy, and key components of an Aging Management system and the conduct of in-service inspections at a reactor...
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) helped to kick-off a new partnership between the United States and Ghana under the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program at a February 25, 2022, bilateral meeting. The FIRST program, led by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the NRC and other U.S. agencies, will support Ghana’s adoption of nuclear energy technology.
Following remarks from the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Ghana’s Minister of Energy, the Ghanaian...
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a virtual workshop with the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission (CCHEN) on December 7-10 and 14-17, 2021, titled “Changes to a Facility under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Part 50.59 (10 CFR 50.59)” and Digital Upgrades to Research Reactors.” The workshop was the first half of a series on aging management of research reactors. The second half of the series will be scheduled at a later date.During the workshop Dr. Steve Reese, Mr. Rich Holm, and Mr. Al Adams...
On December 9, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a short virtual presentation on Regulatory and Licensing Considerations for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This presentation was part of a consultancy sponsored by U.S. Department of State (DOS) under the U.S. Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) program. The purpose of the consultancy was to discuss topics the Ghanaians would be interested in learning more about and included presentations by DOS, U.S. National...
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a virtual presentation and preliminary consultation with members of the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), on November 30, 2021, to discuss aging management of research reactors.Participants from FNRBA Member States included Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. To elicit interest and focus on the highest priorities for FNRBA Member States, AdSTM experts Dr. Steve Reese, Mr. Rich Holm, and Mr. Al Adams presented an overview of topics that can be discussed in...
From October 19-21, 2021, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a workshop titled “Overview of Nuclear Power Plant Regulatory Oversight” for the Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Authority (GNRA). The workshop allowed participants to broaden their understanding of several important topics to related to the regulatory infrastructure needed to review an application for, and oversee construction and operation of, a nuclear power plant (NPP).During the workshop experts from NRC’s contractor, AdSTM, including Mr. Richard Emch, Mr...
From September 6-8, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a virtual workshop for the Romanian National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). The 3-day workshop focused on potential changes to a nuclear power plant’s licensing basis. It consisted of presentations conducted by experts Dr. Richard Barrett and Mr. Michael Scott from NRC’s contractor, Advanced Systems Technology and Management, Inc. (AdSTM), along with multiple interactive exercises that enabled participants to gain additional...
From August 24-26, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) conducted a virtual workshop for the National Atomic Energy Agency of Poland (PAA). The 3-day workshop focused on quality assurance (QA) and vendor inspection lessons learned and consisted of presentations conducted by Mr. Greg Galletti and Mr. Odunayo Ayegbusi from the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, supported by AdSTM experts Dr. Charles Miller and Mr. Mark Tonacci.On the first day, the presenters described foundational information regarding the QA...