SAFIR2018 - The Finnish Research Programme on Nuclear Power Plant Safety 2015-2018: Interim Report

The Finnish Nuclear Power Plant Safety Research Programme 2015-2018, SAFIR2018, is a 4-year national technical and scientific research programme on the safety of nuclear power plants. The programme is funded by the Finnish State Nuclear Waste Management Fund (VYR), as well as other key organisations operating in the area of nuclear energy. The programme provides the necessary conditions for retaining knowledge needed for ensuring the continuance of safe use of nuclear power, for developing new know-how and for participation in international co-operation. Major part of Finnish public research on nuclear power plant safety is carried out in the SAFIR2018 programme. SAFIR2018 consist of four main research areas: (1) Plant safety and systems engineering; (2) Reactor safety; (3) Structural safety and materials; and (4) Research infrastructure. Research carried out in the projects is guided by six reference groups. The research results of the projects are published in scientific journals, conference papers and research reports. The programme management structure consists of the Management Board, three Steering Groups managing the research areas, six Reference Groups, and programme administration. SAFIR2018 Management Board consists of representatives of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (MEAE), Fennovoima Oy, Fortum, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT), Aalto University (Aalto), Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes), and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM). Research projects of the programme were chosen on the basis of annual call for proposals. The total volume of the SAFIR2018 programme in 2015-2016 was 15,5 M and 112 person years. Main funding organisations were the Finnish State Nuclear Waste Management Fund (VYR) with 9,3 M and VTT with 3,4 M . The research was carried out in 28 projects during 2015 and 2016. The research in the programme has been carried out by VTT, LUT, Aalto, University of Oulu, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Risk Pilot AB, Finnish Software Measurement Association FISMA, and IntoWorks. A few subcontractors have also contributed to the work in the projects. This report gives a summary of the research results of the SAFIR2018 programme during the years 2015-2016. More detailed statistical information of the programme and lists of project publications as well as the members of the Management Group, Steering Groups, and Reference Groups can be found in annual plans and reports on SAFIR2018 website http://safir2018.vtt.fi/.