An Analytical study on Russia's civilian nuclear energy utilization

Kawasaki, Nobuchika

JAEA-Review 2025-043, 74 Pages, 2025/10

JAEA-Review-2025-043.pdf:2.45MB

Russia is one of the most advanced countries in the civilian use of nuclear energy. However, understanding the internal mechanisms of its nuclear program remains difficult due to various reasons. Therefore, this study presents a historical overview of Russia's nuclear energy utilization, fuel supply, fuel manufacturing capabilities, and concepts regarding reprocessing and the nuclear fuel cycle. From this overview, insights have been extracted and analyzed. These insights are then organized under two strategic perspectives: "Strategic diversity and continuity in developments and demonstrations" and "Diversity in utilizations and deployments," with considerations of implications for Japan, as below. Russia's nuclear energy policy strategically utilizes a variety of reactor types and fuel cycle technologies to expand nuclear power generation both domestically and internationally. Currently, nuclear power, centered on light-water reactors (VVER series), accounts for about 20% of Russia's electricity supply, and there are plans to increase this share to 25% by 2045. A wide range of reactors, from large-scale to medium and small modular reactors, are being constructed in Russia. Russia is also actively developing fast reactor technologies, and focusing on the reprocessing and recycling of spent fuel. Internationally, VVER-1200 reactors are under construction in several countries, and cooperation with China is deepening in the field of fast reactors. Notably, Russia offers an integrated, or selectively customizable, package of nuclear technology services on the international stage. These include not only reactor deployment, but also fuel supply, reprocessing, waste management, and even the provision of radioisotopes. Rather than simply exporting products or technology, Russia fosters long-term relationships and trust by flexibly responding to the conditions and needs of partner countries. For this reason, Russia promotes the technology developments in advance within the country in areas anticipated for future overseas deployment. It carefully selects target technologies and services and systematically rolls them out. This flexible strategy, combining "technological diversity" and "strategic consistency", enables cooperation with countries across various geopolitical contexts. For Japan, this strategic approach offers valuable lessons on how to engage in comprehensive international nuclear cooperation, not merely through technology exports, but through integrated approaches that encompass the entire fuel cycle, and by combining elements such as fast reactors and RI supply.

Review of JENDL/HE-2007 neutron-induced fission cross sections of uranium-235 and 238 above 200 MeV

Fukahori, Tokio

INDC(JPN)-210 (Internet), 5 Pages, 2023/10

The U(n,f) cross section values were not correctly compiled in the ENDF format, and wrong values are disseminated in the JENDL/HE-2007 file. The high energy part of the U(n,f) cross section for the JENDL/HE-2007 library was evaluated by using the results of the FISCAL code. The correct U(n,f) cross section values of the JENDL/HE-2007 library above 200 MeV is given in this report.

Development of a membrane reactor with a closed-end silica membrane for nuclear-heated hydrogen production

Myagmarjav, O.; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Nomura, Mikihiro*; Noguchi, Hiroki; Imai, Yoshiyuki; Kamiji, Yu; Kubo, Shinji; Takegami, Hiroaki

Progress in Nuclear Energy, 137, p.103772_1 - 103772_7, 2021/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.103772

Outline of Regional Workshops held in 2006 - 2017 by the International Atomic Energy Agency in the proposal of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Group of the Asian Nuclear Safety Network

Okuno, Hiroshi; Yamamoto, Kazuya

JAEA-Review 2020-066, 32 Pages, 2021/02

JAEA-Review-2020-066.pdf:3.01MB

The International Atomic Energy Agency (abbreviated as IAEA) has been implementing the Asian Nuclear Safety Network (abbreviated as ANSN) activities since 2002. As part of this effort, Topical Group on Emergency Preparedness and Response (abbreviated as EPRTG) for nuclear or radiation disasters was established in 2006 under the umbrella of the ANSN. Based on the EPRTG proposal, the IAEA conducted 23 Asian regional workshops in the 12 years from 2006 to 2017. Typical topical fields of the regional workshops were nuclear emergency drills, emergency medical care, long-term response after nuclear/radiological emergency, international cooperation, national nuclear disaster prevention system. The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has produced coordinators for EPRTG since its establishment and has led its activities since then. This report summarizes the Asian regional workshops conducted by the IAEA based on the recommendations of the EPRTG.

Development of three-dimensional distribution visualization technology for boron using energy resolved neutron-imaging system (RADEN)

Abe, Yuta; Tsuchikawa, Yusuke; Kai, Tetsuya; Matsumoto, Yoshihiro*; Parker, J. D.*; Shinohara, Takenao; Oishi, Yuji*; Kamiyama, Takashi*; Nagae, Yuji; Sato, Ikken

Proceedings of 2020 International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 2020) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE2020-16723

Evaluation of energy spectrum around structural materials in radiation environments

Matsumura, Taichi; Nagaishi, Ryuji; Katakura, Junichi*; Suzuki, Masahide*

Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 166, p.108493_1 - 108493_9, 2020/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.108493

In this work, when radiation sources of Cs, Sr and Y were assumed to be put in the front of a plain SUS304 plate as a typical material submerged in water, energy spectra of secondary photons and electrons at the front and back sides of plate were simulated with changing the thickness of plate, and spacing between the source and plate by using a Monte Carlo calculation code of PHITS. In the case of Cs gamma-ray (monochromatic 662 keV), the energy spectra at the front side was smaller than those at the back side due to the existence of plate. Then the dependence of spectra on the plate thickness was observed more clearly at the back side than at the front side. It was clearly shown how the energy spectra of photons and electrons varied with the incident radiation type, the spacing, and the thickness.

Japan - IAEA Joint Nuclear Energy Management School 2016

Yamaguchi, Mika; Hidaka, Akihide; Ikuta, Yuko; Murakami, Kenta*; Tomita, Akira*; Hirose, Hiroya*; Watanebe, Masanori*; Ueda, Kinichi*; Namaizawa, Ken*; Onose, Takatoshi*; et al.

JAEA-Review 2017-002, 60 Pages, 2017/03

JAEA-Review-2017-002.pdf:9.41MB

Since 2010, IAEA has held the NEM School to develop future leaders who plan and manage nuclear energy utilization in their county. Since 2012, JAEA together with Japan Nuclear HRD Network, University of Tokyo, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum and JAIF International Cooperation Center have cohosted the school in Japan in cooperation with IAEA. Since then, the school has been held in Japan every year. In 2006, Japanese nuclear technology and experience, such as lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, were provided to offer a unique opportunity for the participants to learn about particular cases in Japan. Through the school, we contributed to the internationalization of Japanese young nuclear professionals, development of nuclear human resource of other countries including nuclear newcomers, and enhanced cooperative relationship with IAEA. Additionally, collaborative relationship within the network was strengthened by organizing the school in Japan.

The Advisory Committee of International Nuclear Information System (INIS) for Japan

Kunii, Katsuhiko; Itabashi, Keizo

JAEA-Review 2016-021, 130 Pages, 2016/10

JAEA-Review-2016-021.pdf:2.2MB

Under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) Programme commenced in 1970 and ever since INIS has been acting as a database system available worldwide through information networks each time providing bibliographic information then full text documents of literature, technical reports, etc. on peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, thoroughly supported and maintained by INIS Secretariat in Vienna, on the other hand the inputs for INIS are provided by Member States and Organizations in their own boundaries. As for the INIS activity in Japan, while, the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI), then succeeded as the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) as of today, the both have been responsible with the INIS activity in Japan as the INIS National Centre for Japan based on the request of the "former" Science and Technology Agency of the Japanese Government, an advisory committee had have a very important role for the INIS activity in Japan by enthusiastically advising the whole related to the activity from advanced and comprehensive viewpoints of expertise. This report describes about it, the Advisory Committee of International Nuclear Information System (INIS) for Japan, successfully been held 34 times from Oct. 1970 to Mar 2005. Included are the history and its records, change of the member and topics of the Advisory Committee, and the minutes.

Nuclear criticality safety standard for a fuel reprocessing plant assuming burnup credit published by the Atomic Energy Society of Japan

Nakajima, Ken*; Itahara, Kuniyuki*; Okuno, Hiroshi

Proceedings of International Conference on Nuclear Criticality Safety (ICNC 2015) (DVD-ROM), p.496 - 502, 2015/09

An outline of the standard "Procedures for Applying Burnup Credit to Criticality Safety Control of a Reprocessing Facility: 2014" (AESJ-SC-F025: 2014) published in April 2015 by the Atomic Energy Society of Japan (AESJ) is presented. The AESJ published more than 60 Standards. However, many of them were in the field of nuclear power reactors or radioactive wastes. Ten years ago the AESJ published "Basic Items of Criticality Safety Control: 2004" (AESJ-SC-F004:2004), which prescribed basic ideas, requirements and methods on nuclear criticality safety controls of facilities handling with nuclear fuel materials in general for preventing a nuclear criticality accident. However, it did not include any specific procedures for adopting burnup credit. Therefore, a new standard was envisaged as the first Standard for fuel reprocessing plants, which clarified the specific procedures to apply burnup credit to designers, operators, maintenance persons and administrators.

Periodical public opinion survey on nuclear energy; Inhabitants living Tokyo metropolitan area

Shinoda, Yoshihiko; Tsuchida, Shoji*; Kimura, Hiroshi*

Nihon Genshiryoku Gakkai Wabun Rombunshi, 13(3), p.94 - 112, 2014/09

https://doi.org/10.3327/taesj.J13.018

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident (Fukushima accident) has brought about a great change in many people's perceptions about nuclear power plant safety. When discussing future energy options for Japan, it is important to have a full grasp of the attitude of a large number of people towards nuclear energy. The Atomic Energy Society of Japan has conducted annual questionnaire survey of 500 adults who live within 30 kilometers of Tokyo Station. The aim of this survey is to assess trends in public attitude towards nuclear energy. The authors that designed the questionnaire entries of this survey have been managing questionnaire data as members of the Data Management Working Group under the Social and Environmental Division of the Atomic Energy Society of Japan. We confirmed the change in public attitude towards nuclear energy through this periodical survey after the Fukushima accident. In particular, public concerns about the use of nuclear energy increased after the Fukushima accident, and many people have raised doubts over the use of nuclear energy in the future.