Introduction

The growing demand for nuclear decommissioning in the world requires more effective implementation of nuclear decommissioning projects, which comprise activities such as planning, characterization, decontamination, dismantling and demolition, and material/waste management. The IAEA has been facilitating knowledge and experience sharing and Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) among its Member States and compiling technologies and techniques applicable for decommissioning activities in its publications.

Recently, advanced and innovative technologies (e.g. robotics and remote systems, digital tools, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI)) have been increasingly applied to nuclear decommissioning activities in the Member States to enhance safety, reduce cost, accelerate schedules, and minimize waste. Innovation and R&D may also address labour shortages, facilitate knowledge transfer, support reduction of secondary waste generation, and provide technical solutions to accelerate decommissioning activities. Additionally, social transformational trends such as circular economy and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in nuclear decommissioning.

Deploying and/or integrating new technologies can create new opportunities for nuclear decommissioning implementation organizations as well as R&D organizations and other sectors.

In this context, the IAEA will organize the Technical Meeting (TM) on Research and Development to Support Effective Implementation of Nuclear Decommissioning Projects to share experience and discuss practical examples of deployment of R&D results to support effective and sustainable implementation of decommissioning projects.

Objectives

The overall objective of this meeting is to explore current status of R&D activities on decommissioning across the Member States and to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience, lessons learned and good practices on the implementation of R&D in nuclear decommissioning.

The aims of this meeting are:

a. To share experience and discuss practical examples of R&D efforts being conducted by Member State organizations to support effective decommissioning;

b. To identify gaps and future needs of R&D in decommissioning;

c. To collect suggestions with priorities from the Member States on future IAEA activities on R&D in nuclear decommissioning.

IAEA Collaborating Centres on decommissioning, as well as other research, technical support and implementing organizations will be invited to present their R&D initiatives.