INTERVIEW | DR ALEXANDER BYCHKOV A nuclear view
Dr Alexander Bychkov, former Deputy Director of the IAEA, spoke to NEI about some recent developments in the global nuclear sector
By Judith Perera
DR ALEXANDER BYCHKOV WAS FORMERLY Deputy Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2011- 2015. Now a private consultant, he recently spoke to NEI to give his opinion about some recent developments in the global nuclear sector.
Q: How do you see the growing interest in small modular reactors and advanced reactors and the proliferation of new designs in these sectors? A: I think we can distinguish two clear tendencies. One focuses on small reactors, so-called SMRs, and the other on a revival of previously tested reactor technologies and their application for Generation IV reactors. There is a lot of discussion about molten salt reactors (MSRs), while China has made progress in developing high temperature reactors (HTRs). This is in addition to the more classical approach – SMRs based on water cooled reactors. But it is important to underline that now there are a large number of SMR designs and I’m not so sure that this is our future when it comes to energy production. Maybe from the political point of view it could be
considered the next step but, from a practical point of view, I think that the legal and regulatory system of the ‘nuclear world’ cannot accept so many reactors. There are a lot of challenges such as licensing, waste, spent fuel management, nuclear security, safeguards etc. However, it may be possible to solve these problems if IAEA member states make a joint effort. And the current initiative of IAEA Director General Mr Rafael Grossi – the Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative – is an important illustration of these efforts.
Q: Many of these new reactor designs are targeting 2030 for deployment of their first reactor. Is this practical? A: I don’t think companies will be able to deploy new design reactors by then. Of course, it is a good sign that small businesses and venture companies are making efforts in this area. However, my long-term experience in the nuclear industry shows that, without government support, it is not possible to establish long-term development. This does not necessarily mean just providing the required funding, but involves support and some kind of prioritisation for promoting nuclear technology. Without this government backing, long-term development will be difficult. Maybe some small examples such as transportable NPPs or some other things could be organised by some vendor companies. However, they will have very strong competition from big vendors such as Rosatom, Chinese companies and maybe, in future, also some big American companies. But this is not an easy discussion. It’s necessary to consider each case separately, taking into account a lot of factors.
Q: How do you see the interest now being shown in nuclear by a number of African countries? A: I strongly believe that nuclear power can help to promote technological development in other industries, but we have to be realistic. On the one hand, if countries have a nuclear power plant, in addition to electricity production a nuclear power programme will bring a new level of education and technical culture. Maybe my example is not ideal, but whereas a coal power plant needs a few experienced engineers – 10-20 people – but for nuclear power plant operation you need up to 100 engineers. On the other hand, some African countries do not enjoy
Right: Dr Alexander Bychkov, former Deputy Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
a stable political situation and another very important point is the level of security required. For a nuclear plant you need a much stronger security system and also a number of important additional efforts by the government. In my opinion it is an important trend that nuclear power will bring a new level of technological, safety and security culture. Today we, as a nuclear community, have a clear picture of nuclear power in Asia. We have a clear picture of the situation in Europe. But Africa is a future challenge.
Q: A number of Eastern European countries have ambitious programmes for the deployment of SMRs. How do you view this development? A: I don’t know about the future success of SMRs in Europe because the region has a very good established power grid and small reactors in this case can be considered an important part of the energy mix only in the case of limited finance. For small reactors you need less money than for
38 | October 2024 |
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