On January 15-16, 2013, a meeting was held at ChNPP with participation of Mr. Terje Johnson, Head of Software Development Department of the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Norway, regarding the extension of bilateral cooperation. The cooperation between ChNPP and IFE started in 2006. It was aimed at creation of Chernobyl NPP Decommissioning Visualization Center.

The Center will be used for planning, training and implementation of the procedures for personnel, demonstration of decommissioning processes to the government authorities and public. It will also give an opportunity to plan and control exposure doses, and get visualization of radiation scenarios during planning and training to perform different tasks. This will enable to reduce men-hours significantly, dose loads to personnel, increase efficiency and safety of dismantling works, and management of radioactive materials.

The activities on center creation were suspended due to lack of corresponding agreement between Ukraine and Norway. The Intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation between Norway and Ukraine in Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Chernobyl NPP Decommissioning and the Shelter Transformation into Ecologically Safe System was signed in Oslo on November 30, 2012. This gave the green light to complete the works on visualization center creation, and to implement new common projects as well.

During the meeting, the Parties discussed organizational and technical issues to be solved for creation of the Chernobyl Decommissioning Visualization Center. The representative of the Institute for Energy Technology visited ChNPP site, where he got familiar with the progress on ChNPP decommissioning and Shelter transformation, and presented to SSE ChNPP Management new developments and technologies of the institute, which could become a basis for future cooperation.

For information
The Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) is the international research institute in the field of energy and nuclear technology. The IFE mission is to conduct research and developments in energy sector, oil producing and oil processing industry, and in the field of alternative energy sources. The institute was established in 1948. The annual turnover is approximately NOK 775 million, and about 600 employees work in IFE. The basic tasks of IFE are: development of profitable, safe and environmentally friendly technologies in the area of renewable energy sources, oil production; preservation and further development of national experience in reactor safety, radiation protection and nuclear technologies based on reactors Halden and JEEP II. The institute is leading Norwegian expert center for nuclear technologies. The Halden Reactor Project, being in charge of the Institute for Energy Technology, is a basis for international cooperation in reactor safety research.

“Inactive” comprehensive tests of Chernobyl NPP Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant (LRTP) process systems were started on December 25, 2012. Their main task is to confirm the operability of the LRTP systems to fulfill specified design functions using simulated wastes, and determine the readiness of the systems for comprehensive testing of the plant process systems using active radioactive wastes. The “inactive” comprehensive tests of the process equipment are planned to be completed in March 2013 according to the schedule, provided by the Contractor.

The “active” comprehensive tests are panned for the second quarter of 2013, provided obtaining of the positive authorization from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. The completion of the “active” comprehensive testing of the LRTP process equipment is planned for November 2013.

The LRTP construction is financed at the expense of Nuclear Safety Account, which is administrated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The need in the LRTP construction is determined by the necessity to treat the liquid radioactive waste, accumulated during the SSE ChNPP operation, as well as the liquid radioactive waste, which will be generated as a result of activities on the ChNPP decommissioning and Shelter Object transformation into an ecologically safe system.

The plant design capacity is 42 RAW packages (LRW cemented in 200-l drum) per day.

The turnkey LRTP construction contract with the Consortium BELGATOM\SGN\ANSALDO was terminated in 2006. The SSE ChNPP undertook the LRTP project management in full.

The strategy for the LRTP project completion was developed and agreed with the EBRD during 2006-2012. To complete the LRTP construction all activities were divided into four packages. The contracts were awarded for each package in accordance with the EBRD procedures. All contracts are at the stage of implementation.

On December 24, 2012, the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych signed Decree No.726/2012 “On some measures to optimize the system of central executive authorities”, by which the Ministry of Emergencies was liquidated. In the same Decree it is said that activity of the State Agency on the Exclusion Zone Management, the responsibilities of which cover the issues of the Chernobyl NPP decommissioning and Shelter Object transformation into an ecologically safe system, will be managed and coordinated through the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Recourses of Ukraine.

“Inactive” comprehensive tests of Chernobyl NPP Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant (LRTP) process systems were started on December 25, 2012. Their main task is to confirm the operability of the LRTP systems to fulfill specified design functions using simulated wastes, and determine the readiness of the systems for comprehensive testing of the plant process systems using active radioactive wastes. The “inactive” comprehensive tests of the process equipment are planned to be completed in March 2013 according to the schedule, provided by the Contractor.

The “active” comprehensive tests are panned for the second quarter of 2013, provided obtaining of the positive authorization from the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. The completion of the “active” comprehensive testing of the LRTP process equipment is planned for November 2013.

The LRTP construction is financed at the expense of Nuclear Safety Account, which is administrated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The need in the LRTP construction is determined by the necessity to treat the liquid radioactive waste, accumulated during the SSE ChNPP operation, as well as the liquid radioactive waste, which will be generated as a result of activities on the ChNPP decommissioning and Shelter Object transformation into an ecologically safe system.

The plant design capacity is 42 RAW packages (LRW cemented in 200-l drum) per day.

The turnkey LRTP construction contract with the Consortium BELGATOM\SGN\ANSALDO was terminated in 2006. The SSE ChNPP undertook the LRTP project management in full.

The strategy for the LRTP project completion was developed and agreed with the EBRD during 2006-2012. To complete the LRTP construction all activities were divided into four packages. The contracts were awarded for each package in accordance with the EBRD procedures. All contracts are at the stage of implementation.