The VI International Scientific and Technical Conference “Prospects for the Introduction of Innovations in Nuclear Energy”, Kyiv, September 2024

On September 26-27, 2024, the VI International Scientific and Technical Conference “Prospects for the Introduction of Innovations in Nuclear Energy” took place in the Grand Conference Hall of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the NAS of Ukraine, and the Council of Young Scientists under the Department of Energy and Energy Technologies of the NAS of Ukraine. For several years, the conference has been held under challenging conditions due to the ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Despite this, it remains one of the few offline events that attract significant interest and gather a large number of leading specialists, scientists, and representatives from the nuclear and related industries.

This year, over 200 participants registered for the event, with about a hundred experts actively contributing to its organization and execution. The conference also received strong support from partners and sponsors: SE “NAEC Energoatom”, Energy Safety Group, Phoenix Contact Ukraine, Atomkompleksprylad, Impulse, Witkowitz Atomica, Synergoatom, and the Ukrainian Society for Optics and Photonics.

During the conference, presentations were made covering various aspects of nuclear energy and related technologies. The plenary session was opened by the President of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, Volodymyr Kholosha, the First Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Yuriy Sheiko, Academician of the NAS of Ukraine and Director of the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants of the NAS of Ukraine, Anatoliy Nosovsky, as well as one of the founders of the conference, Chief Shift Supervisor of the Khmelnytskyi NPP, Oleksandr Khomych. They emphasized the importance of innovations in nuclear energy to ensure Ukraine’s energy security.

Corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine, representative of the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants, Volodymyr Borysenko, presented on the current state and prospects of nuclear energy. Hennadiy Samosei, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Khmelnytskyi NPP, gave a presentation on the construction of new power units at Khmelnytskyi NPP using AP1000 technology, emphasizing the significance of building new power units in Ukraine.

Among other important topics were scientific research in the field of synthesizing new materials for nuclear reactors, improving methods for zoning areas around nuclear power plants, and exploring the potential for deploying small modular reactors and nuclear and hydrogen cogeneration in Ukraine as critical steps in the development of nuclear energy. Other presentations addressed materials science and the implementation of modern information systems for managing the operation and maintenance of power units, as well as radiation monitoring. Special attention was given to safety issues, particularly probabilistic safety analysis and the justification for extending the operational life of existing nuclear power units.

The second day of the conference featured two panel sessions where experts presented their work on nuclear power plant safety, new materials and technologies, spent nuclear fuel management, cybersecurity, workforce training for the industry, and more. As is tradition, the conference also hosted an expert discussion focused on the operation and development of nuclear energy in the face of challenges posed by russian aggression.

Among the conference speakers were representatives of SE “NAEC Energoatom”, including Khmelnytskyi NPP and Atomproektinzhiniring, as well as NEK “Ukrenergo”, SSTC NRS, many research institutes of the NAS of Ukraine, higher educational institutions such as the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and Odesa Polytechnic, as well as companies, enterprises, and organizations cooperating with the nuclear industry.

Participants of the “Prospects for the Introduction of Innovations in Nuclear Energy” conference noted that this event provides wide opportunities for exchanging experience and knowledge, allowing specialists and scientists to present their developments and innovations. It is also another opportunity to establish intersectoral cooperation and communication aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s nuclear sector.