"In modern civilization, nuclear energy plays a crucial role. Nuclear power is not a technology of a single nation or company. Since it is a technology shared by all of us, the world must come together to ensure it is safe and can be used in the long term."

At the 40th anniversary event of the Korea Nuclear Power Annual Conference held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Professor Kim Beom-nyeon of the Korea Electric Power Corporation International Nuclear Graduate School, who served as the chair of the first session, said this. The theme of the first session was "Beyond 60, Towards World Class Operational Excellence." Typically, nuclear power plants are long-term projects that take about 60 years from design to construction, operation, and maintenance. Recently, discussions have been ongoing in the nuclear community on how to safely manage nuclear power plants to extend their design life and use them flexibly.

Professor Kim Beom-nyeon from Korea Electric Power Corporation introduces the topic of the first session at the 40th anniversary event of the Korean Nuclear Annual Conference held at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 29th./Courtesy of Lee In-a.

In this session, domestic and international nuclear experts gathered to discuss ways to continue to use nuclear power plants safely. The first presentation was made by Kim Shin-hwan, head of reactor design at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who noted that it is more important to keep existing reactors operating than to build new ones.

He said, "Nuclear power produces 377 gigawatts (GW) in 31 countries, accounting for 10% of total electricity. Additionally, 61 reactors are being built in 15 countries. Even while new ones are under construction, existing reactors must keep operating. If nuclear power, which is a safe and inexpensive energy source, stops, it is like losing low-carbon transition."

To ensure that nuclear power plants around the world continue to operate safely, the IAEA continues to publish technical documents, promote international cooperation networks, provide services for capacity building, and collaborate with regulatory agencies.

Session participants are speaking individually at the 40th anniversary event of the Korean Nuclear Annual Conference. From left, they are Kim Shin-hwan, head of the Nuclear Reactor Design Division at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Gary Rose, representative of Candu Energy, Masui Hideki, representative of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), Tatiana Salnikova, senior manager at Framatome, Yoon Bong-yo, head of the Continued Operation Research Institute at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Choi Jae-don, head of the Korea Nuclear Fuel Technology Division./Courtesy of Lee In-a.

Gary Rose, president of Candu Energy, explained the replacement technologies needed to extend the operational life of nuclear power plants. He said, "Candu reactors can be used reliably for more than 30 years if the pressure tubes are replaced. Replacement technologies have many advantages, and as data accumulate, costs are also decreasing."

Masui Hideki, president of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), explained changes in Japan's nuclear industry following the Fukushima nuclear accident. In Japan, 21 out of 54 reactors have been permanently shut down after the Fukushima disaster.

He said, "Japan's nuclear policy has shifted back to pro-nuclear. After the Fukushima accident, efforts were made to reduce reliance on nuclear power, but as electricity demand surged, the focus is shifting back to maximizing its use. Plans have also been announced to restart existing reactors and build new ones."

Tatiana Salnikova, senior manager at Framatome, explained the flexible operations of nuclear power plants underway in France. Typically, nuclear power plants have characteristics that aim to maintain a constant output, but flexible operation means adjusting the power generation according to electricity demand.

He stated, "As the share of renewable energy increases and electricity demand decreases, flexible operation of nuclear power becomes necessary. There are several types of flexible operations, and it is possible to optimize operations even at low outputs. Other countries should also consider flexible operations at this point."

The necessity for regulatory improvements to continue operating existing nuclear power plants was also pointed out. Yoon Bong-yo, head of the Continuing Operation Research Institute at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, noted, "Currently, nuclear power plants receive continued operation approval every 10 years, and it is necessary to extend this period. If safety has been ensured for the same model, I believe that we need a process to bundle approvals for reactors of that model."

Choi Jae-don, head of the Korea Nuclear Fuel Technology Headquarters, added, "The United States has seen the emergence of power plants operating for 60 to 80 years through institutional improvements. Our country should also introduce such systems to strengthen competitiveness."