News

22 August 2018

New studies on protection of Swiss nuclear power plants against a deliberate plane crash now completed

Swiss nuclear power plants have an adequate level of protection against a deliberate plane crash. This is confirmed by an update of the associated analyses ordered by the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) in 2013. For security reasons, the details are being kept under wraps.

8 March 2018

Video interview: Beznau 1 Nuclear Power Plant gets the go-ahead to start up again

Hans Wanner, Director General of ENSI: “Axpo has proved that the inclusions found in the steel of the reactor pressure vessel do not have a negative effect on the safety. “

8 March 2018

Beznau 1: Aluminium oxide inclusions do not have a negative impact on reactor pressure vessel safety

Beznau 1 NPP gets the go-ahead to start up again. Axpo has proved that the inclusions found in the steel of the reactor pressure vessel do not have a negative effect on safety. ENSI, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate, has reviewed and accepted the safety case.

6 March 2018

“Extensive test program shows no evidence of a detrimental effect of the inclusions on the brittle fracture reference temperature”

An international panel of experts supported the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI in assessing Axpo’s safety case for the Beznau 1 reactor pressure vessel. In an interview, the chair of the review panel Tim Williams explains why they support the conclusion that Beznau 1 may be restarted. The IRP has been following Axpo’s safety […]

6 March 2018

Chronology: from the findings in Belgium to the proof of safety from Beznau 1

In the summer of 2012, findings are detected in the basic material of the reactor pressure vessel of the Belgian nuclear power plant Doel-3. As a result, nuclear power plants in Switzerland also have to carry out inspections. Since findings are also detected in the reactor pressure vessel of Beznau 1, Axpo needs to prove it was safe. The Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI accepts this proof in 2018.

17 November 2017

Quality assurance errors relating to some fuel rods in the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant

A few days ago, Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant (KKL) informed the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) that some fuel elements do not fulfil the requirements of the applicable specifications. Accordingly, KKL decided to replace them for safety reasons. The safety of man and the environment was ensured at all times.

More News

Background Articles

5 December 2018

Series of articles on barriers 6/6: The containment holds radioactive substances in the reactor building

The reactor pressure vessel is enclosed by the containment as the third barrier. This consists of a steel primary containment and a concrete secondary containment.

28 November 2018

Series of articles on barriers 5/6: The water circuit (primary circuit part 2 of 2)

With its pipelines, shut-off valves and other components, the cooling circuit, together with the reactor pressure vessel, is the second barrier for trapping radioactive substances

21 November 2018

Series of articles on barriers 4/6: The reactor pressure vessel (primary circuit part 1 of 2)

The reactor pressure vessel, together with the water’s cooling circuit, is the second barrier for trapping radioactive substances.

Documents

Integrated Oversight

Oversight of nuclear safety at Switzerland’s nuclear facilities has developed gradually. The oversight strategy that had evolved historically was thoroughly systematised in the period around the turn of the millennium, entailing the introduction of a management system and the development of an “Integrated Oversight” strategy. The objective of this publication is to present the fundamental […]

2017 Research and Experience Report – ENSI-AN-10294

ENSI Review of the Axpo Power AG Safety Case for the Reactor Pressure Vessel of the Beznau NPP Unit 1

In the summer of 2012, findings are detected in the basic material of the reactor pressure vessel of the Belgian nuclear power plant Doel-3. As a result, nuclear power plants in Switzerland also have to carry out inspections. Since findings are also detected in the reactor pressure vessel of Beznau 1, Axpo needs to prove […]

Assessment of the Safety Case for the Reactor Pressure Vessel of the Beznau Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant

The IRP considers that the Axpo Safety Case is acceptable. This is based on the following: It has been established beyond all reasonable doubt that the flaws are laminar ‘agglomerates’ of alumina inclusions, formed during manufacture of the affected RPV shells, and which neither formed nor grew during service. It has been adequately demonstrated that […]

Nuclear Facilities

News

New studies on protection of Swiss nuclear power plants against a deliberate plane crash now completed

Video interview: Beznau 1 Nuclear Power Plant gets the go-ahead to start up again

Beznau 1: Aluminium oxide inclusions do not have a negative impact on reactor pressure vessel safety

“Extensive test program shows no evidence of a detrimental effect of the inclusions on the brittle fracture reference temperature”

Chronology: from the findings in Belgium to the proof of safety from Beznau 1

Quality assurance errors relating to some fuel rods in the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant

Background Articles

Series of articles on barriers 6/6: The containment holds radioactive substances in the reactor building

Series of articles on barriers 5/6: The water circuit (primary circuit part 2 of 2)

Series of articles on barriers 4/6: The reactor pressure vessel (primary circuit part 1 of 2)

Documents

Integrated Oversight

2017 Research and Experience Report – ENSI-AN-10294

ENSI Review of the Axpo Power AG Safety Case for the Reactor Pressure Vessel of the Beznau NPP Unit 1

Assessment of the Safety Case for the Reactor Pressure Vessel of the Beznau Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant

Swiss National Assessment Report for the Topical Peer Review: Ageing Management in Nuclear Power Plants

Topical Peer Review 2017: Ageing Management at the Mühleberg Nuclear Power Plant

Topical Peer Review 2017: Ageing Management at the Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant

Topical Peer Review 2017: Ageing Management at the Beznau Nuclear Power Plant

Topical Peer Review 2017: Ageing Management at the Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant

2016 ENSI Oversight Report – ENSI-AN-10014

2016 Research and Experience Report – ENSI-AN-9961

2015 ENSI Oversight Report – ENSI-AN-9671