Speaker
Prof.
Eugenijus Uspuras
(Lithuanian Energy Institute)
Description
The closure of Ignalina NPP in Lithuania at the end of 2009 brought to an end the previous nuclear energy generation period of Lithuania. After being a net exporter of electricity for more than two decades, from the beginning of 2010 Lithuania changed its status overnight to that of importer. The closure of Ignalina NPP also had significant impact on the balance of energy distribution in remaining Baltic States (Latvia and Estonia). At the same time in the Poland the situation in the energy market (due to constantly rising demand) changed also – the country assumed that nuclear power might be included in the energy mix.
As a consequence in February 2006, the leaders of the three Baltic States announced their support for an initiative to build a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania, to replace the Ignalina NPP and reduce the Baltic States' dependence on imported Russian electricity and natural gas. In response to this, the task of competence building in the nuclear safety field arose for the nuclear safety institutions. The appropriate “nuclear human resources infrastructure” should be organized in all Baltic Region. The Lithuanian State Nuclear Power Inspectorate in 2008 initiated the idea regarding the establishment of a Regional Nuclear Safety Training Centre. The main goal of this centre is to enhance the competence and to transfer knowledge in nuclear safety that would comply with the most advanced international practice. The first successful attempt was organized with the help of IAEA: the Basic professional training course in Lithuania in 2008 and 2009.
In 2010 LEI joined the initiative of Institute for Radiological and Nuclear Safety (IRNS) to establish the European Nuclear Safety Training and Tutoring Institute (ENSTTI). The objective of ENSTTI is to provide educational, consultation and practical services by assessing radiological and nuclear safety. LEI, as one of the founders of ENSTTI, participated in training activities from the establishment of the ENSTTI. LEI is providing the trainers for the different level training courses in nuclear safety, nuclear security and radiation protection.
Recently, the idea regarding creation of some permanent institution, specific to the Baltic region, whish allows to identify barriers in developing nuclear power, was raised again. The countries around Baltic see (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden) initiated the BRILLIANT idea (Baltic Region Initiative for Long Lasting InnovAtive Nuclear Technologies). The BRILLIANT idea was officially presented at Euratom conference FISA 2013 in Vilnius under Lithuanian EU presidency.
The main goal of this paper is to show, that each training course is a good school not only for the trainees, but also for the trainers, as well for the course organisers. Thus, providing the trainers LEI has several objectives: to strength and systematize the nuclear knowledge, to preserve competition in nuclear safety, to gain new ideas. The close contacts with specialists from different countries, also has very positive impact and forcing to improve the knowledge in different nuclear areas. Participation in such activities will allow to Lithuanian TSO to be ready for the construction of the new NPP.
| Country or International Organisation | Lithuania |
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Primary author
Prof.
Eugenijus Uspuras
(Lithuanian Energy Institute)
