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.

Annual report of Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator, JFY2018 (Operation, utilization and technical development of JRR-3, JRR-4, NSRR, Tandem Accelerator, RI Production Facility and Tritium Process Laboratory)

Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator

JAEA-Review 2020-074, 105 Pages, 2021/03

JAEA-Review-2020-074.pdf:3.72MB

The Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator is in charge of the operation, utilization and technical development of JRR-3 (Japan Research Reactor No.3), JRR-4 (Japan Research Reactor No.4), NSRR (Nuclear Safety Research Reactor), Tandem Accelerator, RI Production Facility and TPL (Tritium Process Laboratory). This annual report describes the activities of our department in fiscal year of 2018. We carried out the operation and maintenance, utilization, upgrading of utilization techniques, safety administration and international cooperation. Also contained are lists of publications, meetings, granted permissions on laws and regulations concerning atomic energy, outcomes in service and technical developments and so on.

Annual report of Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator, JFY2016 (Operation, utilization and technical development of JRR-3, JRR-4, NSRR, Tandem Accelerator, RI Production Facility and Tritium Process Laboratory)

Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator

JAEA-Review 2020-072, 102 Pages, 2021/03

JAEA-Review-2020-072.pdf:3.86MB

The Department of Research Reactor and Tandem Accelerator is in charge of the operation, utilization and technical development of JRR-3 (Japan Research Reactor No.3), JRR-4 (Japan Research Reactor No.4), NSRR (Nuclear Safety Research Reactor), Tandem Accelerator, RI Production Facility and Tritium Process Laboratory). This annual report describes the activities of our department in fiscal year of 2016. We carried out the operation and maintenance, utilization, upgrading of utilization techniques, safety administration and international cooperation. Also contained are lists of publications, meetings, granted permissions on laws and regulations concerning atomic energy, outcomes in service and technical developments and so on.

Annual report of Department of Research Reactor, 2004; April 1, 2004March 31, 2005

Department of Research Reactor

JAERI-Review 2005-036, 169 Pages, 2005/09

JAERI-Review-2005-036.pdf:11.23MB

no abstracts in English

Proceedings of the FNCA 2002 Workshop on the Utilization of Research Reactors; January 13-17, 2003, Jakarta & Serpong, Indonesia (Contract research)

Nuclear Technology and Education Center

JAERI-Conf 2004-010, 236 Pages, 2004/06

JAERI-Conf-2004-010.pdf:14.82MB

The FNCA 2002 Workshop on the Utilization of Research Reactors, which is the eleventh workshop on the theme of research reactor utilization, was held in Jakarta and Serpong, Indonesia from January 13 to 17. This workshop was executed based on the agreement in the third Coordinator's Meeting of Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) held in Tokyo, March 2002. The workshop consists of two groups under the theme of the following fields; 1) Tc-99m Generator Technology, 2) Neutron Activation Analysis. The total number of participants for the workshop was 88 people from 8 countries; China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. This report consists of 8 papers from the plenary session, 10 papers for Tc-99m Generator, 10 papers for Neutron Activation Analysis and a summary report.

Proceedings of the 2001 Workshop on the Utilization of Research Reactors; November 5-9, 2001, Beijing, China (Contract research)

Department of Research Reactor

JAERI-Conf 2003-004, 353 Pages, 2003/03

JAERI-Conf-2003-004.pdf:21.39MB

no abstracts in English

Published literature on the research activities using the JMTR

Nagao, Yoshiharu; Ishii, Tadahiko; Takeda, Takashi; Fujiki, Kazuo

JAERI-Review 2002-007, 191 Pages, 2002/03

JAERI-Review-2002-007.pdf:10.97MB

The published reports on the research activities using the JMTR since 1971 to date have been surveyed by the search of literature database and questionnaire survey. This report summarized the result of survey as the title lists by research categories.

Present status and future prospect of JRR-3 and JRR-4

Sakurai, Fumio; Horiguchi, Yoji; Kobayashi, Shinsho; Takayanagi, Masaji

Physica B; Condensed Matter, 311(1-2), p.7 - 13, 2002/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4526(01)01048-1

no abstracts in English

Annual report of Department of Research Reactor 1999; April 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000

Department of Research Reactor

JAERI-Review 2000-036, 263 Pages, 2001/03

JAERI-Review-2000-036.pdf:19.89MB

no abstracts in English

Proceedings of Neutron Irradiation Technical Meeting on BNCT; March 13, 2000, at JAERI Tokai Research Establishment

Department of Research Reactor

JAERI-Conf 2000-013, 69 Pages, 2000/10

JAERI-Conf-2000-013.pdf:14.75MB

no abstracts in English