New ENSI research strategy

ENSI has updated its research strategy in recent months and the ENSI Board approved it in January 2023. The focus in the coming years will be on radiation protection, the effects of earthquakes on nuclear facilities, the long-term operation of nuclear power plants and disposal issues.

Based on the legal requirements, the research strategy defines objectives and corresponding criteria for research projects. As these have proved very successful, they are largely unchanged from the previous research strategy. The focus remains on the practical usability of research results for supervisory activities.

The main topics of ENSI research for the next five to ten years are:

• The long-term operation of nuclear power plants – in particular, issues related to the aging of materials.
• Effects of earthquakes on buildings, systems and components of nuclear facilities.
• Disposal issues related to the implementation of deep geological disposal, including the packaging facility, and long-term dry storage of spent fuel.
• Radiation exposure of people and the environment.

Details on the individual topics can be found in Chapter 5 of the strategy document.