Speakers
Description
The International Atomic Energy Agency's Nuclear Security Series provides guidance to support Member States as they develop comprehensive nuclear security regimes. Within each Member State, multiple federal stakeholders collaborate to establish security frameworks for the transport of nuclear and radioactive materials. The foundation of nuclear security governance is that Member States maintain this responsibility to establish, implement, and maintain physical protection regimes.
Mobile nuclear power plants (MNPPs) and transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs) are emerging applications for advanced nuclear technologies, especially considering rising global energy demand and decarbonization goals. Floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) and nuclear-propelled vessels are maritime industry examples of these applications that will provide reliable power to coastal operations and help decarbonize global shipping. Deployment models envision centralized production and maintenance factories to manufacture and integrate the reactors onto the maritime platform (ship or barge) before they are transported to their operational site or utilized for commercial shipping. While operational models will differ, initial fueling and commissioning, as well as any refueling and decommissioning, are expected to occur at the central factory prior to transport to the final operational location. This will likely include transport of irradiated fuel onboard.
International guidance documents and regulatory frameworks provide a foundation for security regimes to inform the physical protection of nuclear and radioactive materials. However, there are unique considerations for mobile marine deployments of advanced reactors. These deployments introduce threats not completely addressed with security requirements and threat assessments developed for terrestrial power plants. Successfully deploying floating nuclear applications will require adaptable security designs that can respond to threats as they emerge, in addition to updates for regulations and guidance that inform member state responsibilities specific to floating nuclear applications.
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