Advances in the Safety of Transportable Nuclear Power Plants

Safety considerations and challenges surrounding the deployment of transportable nuclear power plants was the focus of a side event at the 69th IAEA General Conference.  Transportable nuclear power plants (TNPPs), including small modular reactors and micro-reactors, are drawing increased global attention for their potential to deliver clean, reliable energy to remote and underserved regions. 

“These systems [innovative technologies] have the potential to expand the access to nuclear energy, supporting both national development goals and global sustainability targets,” said Karine Herviou, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.

Discussions at the event also addressed nuclear security and licensing and potential uses of TNPPs for non-electrical applications such as district heating, desalination and hydrogen production.Although TNPPs offer new opportunities, they also present unique challenges that require the development and enhancement of regulatory and safety frameworks and international legal instruments to ensure their safe and secure deployment.

Although TNPPs offer new opportunities, they also present unique challenges that require the development and enhancement of regulatory and safety frameworks and international legal instruments to ensure their safe and secure deployment.

The event featured IAEA presentations on recent and ongoing work related to TNPPs covering design safety, safety assessment and transport safety. It also addressed nuclear security considerations and emphasized the importance of engaging with relevant stakeholders. 

Keynote speakers Guilherme Dionizio Alves of the Brazilian Office of Naval Nuclear Regulation, Oleg Koltsov from Rostechnadzor in the Russian Federation and Mike King of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, discussed current safety approaches and practices in their countries, offering valuable insights into regulatory and operational frameworks. 

Discussions highlighted the need for robust regulatory frameworks, international legal instruments and multinational collaboration to ensure safety throughout the entire TNPP lifecycle, from design and transport to operation and decommissioning.

“TNPPs have to be designed to be safe and IAEA Safety Standards provide the overall framework to achieve this. We welcome your input to the Agency’s efforts for the next revision of the IAEA Design Safety Standards to make them fully applicable to advanced reactor technologies and their applications, such as TNPPs. We have no time to waste,” said Anna Hajduk Bradford, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Installation Safety, in her closing remarks, reinforcing the urgency of adapting safety standards.

The IAEA reaffirmed its commitment to support countries through technical guidance, collaborative efforts, and platforms to share experiences. Participants were encouraged to continue dialogue and contribute to shaping the safe and secure deployment of TNPPs.