Research institutes extend collaboration

Thursday, 13 November 2014

The US-based Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Japan's Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) have agreed to extend their collaborative research agreement for a further five years.

The two organizations signed a three-year agreement in August 2011 to research jointly nuclear power plant issues related to material science, plant component performance and radiation safety. The collaborative work facilitates the sharing of research and experimental results, data and scientific information.

Wilmshurst and Yokoyama sign the five-year extension (Image: EPRI)

EPRI and CRIEPI announced on 12 November that they have now agreed to extend that agreement for an additional five years, to August 2019.

The joint research effort focuses on material science, including the performance of materials in nuclear power plant environments and the development of materials better suited for nuclear plant components.

EPRI said that research projects already underway or planned for the next five years include the use of three-dimensional tools at the atomic level to improve understanding of the effects of neutron damage on reactor materials, as well as the development of new materials that are more resistant to radiation damage. In addition, EPRI and CRIEPI will jointly evaluate reactor vessel material susceptibility to cracking and what actions can be taken to monitor and ensure structural integrity throughout a plant's life.

The joint research has already made advances. CRIEPI has developed a technique for obtaining much smaller samples for materials testing than is possible using conventional techniques. EPRI then conducted tests on the samples to ensure the methodology provided sufficient quality and repeatability. EPRI said, "Moving forward, research will incorporate test data using irradiated samples to develop improved models for assessing the structural integrity of materials over time."

EPRI vice president and chief nuclear operator Neil Wilmshurst said, "The collaboration between our organizations over the past three years has significantly advanced understanding in materials integrity, component performance and radiation safety." He added, "Japan is a strong proponent of nuclear-related research, and this collaboration will continue providing insights into how greater awareness of the performance of materials in a nuclear environment can support safe, efficient, reliable plant operation."

"This extension will enable us to deepen our collaborative relationship and pursue technical advances that can be shared with nuclear plant operators in Japan and around the world," noted CRIEPI senior vice president Hayaichi Yokoyama.

EPRI is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity. Its membership represents over 90% of the electricity generated and supplied in the USA. Also a non-profit organization, CRIEPI is primarily funded by 11 Japanese power utilities and conducts research in such areas as nuclear power technology, stable power supply technology and environmental energy technology.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News