Availability of research and test facilities for fast reactor development

D'hondt, P. J.*; Yamagishi, Isao ; Weaver, D. R.*; Nordborg, C.*

The OECD/NEA has recently published the report on Research and Test Facilities Required in Nuclear Science and Technology, as well as a database listing facilities (http://www.nea.fr/rtfdb/). The paper focuses on recommendations which relate to the status and anticipated developments in Fast Reactor technology in the medium term and makes comments on the needs for zero and low-power reactors and sub-critical assemblies to extend the knowledge of the skills base as well as research reactors and critical assemblies related to particular reactor designs. The paper emphasises the recommendation; further federation of the financial, scientific efforts of the OECD-countries to optimise available resources, the key role played by international institutions, the maintenance of the current skills base of researchers. The paper emphasises the issue of knowledge retention, for example through databases of older experiments such as IRPhE.