NEWSLETTER Nš 1 of 2008
This Newsletter reviews INEA activities in 2008. The Executive Committee met twice (once very successfully by telephone conference), and the AGM took place as usual in the margins of the IAEA's Annual General Conference in September in Vienna.
Academy Recognition
It was agreed to encourage much greater use of the Academy website, by whatever means turned out to be effective, for example by p ublishing more material - authoritative papers . The more "hits" a site has the higher it appears in Google listings. This should help to publicise the Academy, and by extension the contribution to nuclear science and policy of its members.
Publications
- Uranium Resources: To look further ahead than the World Nuclear Association's regular publication on the uranium market, and to answer those opponents who claim that there is not enough uranium to fuel the imminent nuclear renaissance, and still less to make any real contribution to the problem of Global Warming, INEA made a report on Uranium Resources, under the leadership of INEA Chair Bertrand Barré. It is now posted on its webpage www.INEA.org.br . This report shows that there is more than enough uranium at present rates of consumption and it considers what would be needed if the use of nuclear power expanded significantly so as to make significant inroads into dealing with climate change dangers, or with replacing oil as its production declined. The possibilities in the medium term for a transition from the present once through cycle to the use of innovative fuel cycles including thorium, and breeder reactors were also considered.
- Clash of risk: Revisiting the balancing of nuclear risk against other equally important risks was an important issue for the Academy. This originated in the Canadian medical isotope crisis, which culminated in the Canadian Government's dismissal of the chief Canadian regulator. A paper by Dan Meneley and Robert Morrison on the clash of risk was circulated to the Members of the Academy's Executive Committee.
- Construction supply chain: The paper by ESKOM members on potential bottlenecks in the construction supply chain (intended as a companion piece to the uranium resources paper above mentioned) is in preparation, and a first draft is expected to be ready by the end of March 2009.
- Other subjects: Drafts on nuclear education, on the multilateral fuel cycle proposal and on the development of commercial fast reactors will soon be launched under Victor Mourogov 's lead.
Relations with WNU
Strengthening the Academy's relations with the World Nuclear University is to be explored. Those with experience of tutoring or mentoring at the WNU's summer seminars might wish to write to the Secretary about their experiences.
Officers and Secretariat
Dr Harold McFarlane of the Idaho National Laboratory was elected to hold the next INEA Chairman position for the 2009/2010 period.
Several candidates for membership of the Academy were incorporated in 2008 bringing the total number of Active Members to 82 and that of Emeritus Members to 49. INEA Members' lists are posted on the INEA webpage.
The tradition of holding the AGM in the margins of the IAEA's General Conference will continue. The 2009 meeting will therefore be in the afternoon of Monday 14 September 2009.
It was agreed to raise the subscription of $50 for individual members and $200 for those who could persuade their institutions to pay it on their behalf.
Gerald E. Clark
INEA Secretary
22 nd December 2008 |