The theme of the 2021 edition:
Several speakers have honoured us with two days of rich exchanges and meetings on 7 and 8 October 2021. We would like to thank all the speakers for participating in Forum 2021 and for bringing their expertise to this topic. We would also like to thank all the participants who were interested in the topic and who followed us during these two days.
Tim Stone, the Chairman of the Nuclear Industry Association and also the Chairman of Nuclear Risk Insurers, gave the opening keynote.
We provide you with the various topics discussed.
To watch the presentations visit Risk and Safety Forum – YouTube.
Reaching Net Zero will still result in drastic changes to the climate. The associated risk (and opportunities) will affect all businesses, organisations and society as a whole. In the nuclear industry and other high hazard industries, these adaptation risks need to be considered in the safety case. In other industries and organisations, the transition and physical risks of climate change need to be incorporated into existing risk management practices to secure business continuity and support the journey to Net Zero.
Speaker : Jonathan Krzyzosiak, External Hazards Topic Lead – Sizewell C, Director – Krztek Ltd
Nuclear Risk Insurers Ltd achieved carbon neutrality in 2019 through targeted offsetting of its carbon footprint and also committed to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. During 2020 and 2021, there was a significant reduction in NRI’s carbon footprint due to COVID restrictions on international travel, but this provides a strong glidepath towards future success. The challenge for NRI now is how a return to ‘business as usual’ can match its targets. But their Sustainability Policy is more than just a net zero target. NRI has the ultimate ambition to support the decarbonisation of the full nuclear supply chain, and promoting a broader sustainability agenda is integral to their activities and management. NRI challenge and encourage their partners, clients and suppliers to adopt sustainability practices.
Speaker : Val Martell, Engineering Surveyor, Nuclear Risk Insurers Ltd
The demand and growth in renewable energy is fuelling projects at both extremes of engineering, presenting unique challenges. There is a perception that renewable energy is intrinsically safe, but this presentation showed that in such a dynamic and changing marketplace the old model of concentrated risk is being replaced where risks are being geographically redistributed to hostile locations.
Speakers : Adrian Wheatley, Human Factors Consultant, CRA / Hannah Lynch, Graduate Human Factors Consultant, CRA/ Hannah Wright, Junior Human Factors Consultant, CRA
The carbon cost of decommissioning mostly arises from transport and construction/deconstruction activities. The existing environmental management approach provides a good starting point for minimising carbon emissions by optimising the choice of waste route for both active and non-active wastes.
Speaker : Heather Phillips, Chief Consultant, CRA
PACE is a level-3 probabilistic safety analysis code. It has been developed by PHE over several years and continues to be developed. The presentation gave a brief overview of the model, its capabilities and interface, and about future development plans. The presentation discussed its application to REPPIR 2019.
Speaker : Tom Charnock, Principal Radiation Protection Specialist, UK Health Security Agency
The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly visible highlighting the importance of introducing carbon-free energy generating solutions into the UK as soon as possible. This talk provided an overview of the Rolls-Royce SMR and the innovative approaches that have been adopted to decrease both the cost and the risks associated with nuclear design, build and operation.
Speaker : Rachel Bennett – Rolls-Royce SMR
The talk covers the regulatory framework applied to nuclear fusion will be critical to commercial viability. Regulation should be risk based and proportionate and should not presume to share or adopt any elements of the existing fission regime.
Speaker : Ian Truman, Burges Salmon
The talk covered the current energy demand scenario in India and the opportunities that lie ahead for India as it seeks to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for the growing population. Undoubtedly, nuclear energy is the most favourable alternative, viable, and green option for baseload electricity generation and to curb emission levels for achieving India’s net-zero target. The talk also delivered an overview of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) licensing process in India which entails strict compliance with environmental norms & policies during major consenting stages (siting, construction, commissioning, initial operation, regular operation, decommissioning and release from regulatory control).
Speakers : Karthik Ravichandran, Principal Consultant at RELSAFE PRA Consulting / Rahul Agarwal, Senior Consultant at RELSAFE PRA Consulting
In addition to electricity, nuclear can provide a valuable low carbon source energy for a range of other applications to support achieving Net Zero. Future applications could include hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuels and ammonia to support decarbonisation from a wide range of end-use applications, including those where emissions are hard to abate. The Advanced Nuclear Skills and Innovation Campus and the NNL Nuclear Hydrogen Programme is considering the safety aspects of this new role for nuclear and this presentation had outlined some of the areas where the nuclear industry may need to innovate in safety approaches and work collaboratively across-sectors.
Speaker : Dr Philip Rogers, Technology Leader – Hydrogen, National Nuclear Laboratory
Speakers : Dr. Emma Taylor, Head of Digital Safety, RazorSecure / Andy Buchan, Safety and Reliability Society / Dr. Richard Thomas, Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education / Amir Zar, Security Consultant, CRA
The presentation provided an overview of the outcomes of the review of applicability of the IAEA safety standards to the lifecycle of novel advanced reactors including SMRs and non-water cooled reactors. This review was completed by the IAEA in collaboration with 150 international experts from 30 countries in 2021.
Speaker : Paula Calle Vives, International Atomic Energy Agency
The presentation included the present fusion challenges and current situation. Assystem position on the fusion projects and with a particular look into the decommissioning approaches for the fusion reactors.
Speaker : Isabel Machado, Assystem
In February 2021, the YGN launched the #NetZeroNeedsNuclear campaign in the run up to COP26, with the aim of raising awareness of nuclear as a low-carbon energy source and a key part of our energy mix. In addition, the campaign aims to influence decision making of policymakers in advance of the conference. This presentation had explored the highlights of the campaign in regards to engaging with policymakers and the perceived risk of nuclear from a particular stand point, as discovered by the YGN in their year of climate action.
Speaker : Saralyn Thomas, Vice Chair, Nuclear Institute Young Generation Network
ESG funds aim to help meet long-term financial goals for organisations and investors, while contributing to a more sustainable world. Could this be a marketing tool or part of a risk strategy? As a result, ESG became an important factor for investors when deciding what to invest in. So, what are the challenges faced in changing the conversation when bringing Nuclear to the fore in ESG investments?
Speaker : Estelle Detrembleur, Associate Director, Mace
