International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)
Methodology for Sustainability Assessment of Nuclear Energy Systems: An Overview

The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was established in 2000 through an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general council resolution. The INPRO objective is as follows: Ensure nuclear energy can contribute, in a sustainable manner, to the energy needs of the current century and beyond. This objective is accomplished through supporting Member States in their planning for sustainable nuclear energy, supporting INPRO methodology selfassessments for advanced and innovative nuclear energy systems, and facilitating cooperation and collaboration among Member States in their respective roles as nuclear energy technology developers, suppliers and customers. INPRO is a comprehensive IAEA forward looking project on the sustainability of nuclear energy. INPRO for sustainability of nuclear energy systems is broken into four main task areas: global scenarios analysis, role of innovations in sustainability, sustainability assessments, and outreach and planning. INPRO developed the nuclear energy system assessment (NESA) for evaluating sustainability over the life cycle of a nuclear energy system. NESA is a holistic methodology compiled in the following 6 assessment areas: environment, safety, economics, waste management, infrastructure, and proliferation resistance (which underwent a recent update). The INPRO methodology is a hierarchical mechanism consisting of basic principles, user requirements, and criterion. The INPRO methodology begins with a basic principle or a sustainability objective in each assessment area. Each basic principle is broken into two or more user requirements. At the foundation of the INPRO methodology, the criteria/ metrics help the assessor verify whether the nuclear energy system meets the user requirements. The NESA is utilized to determine if the criteria are fulfilled, which indicates a sustainable nuclear energy system. If the criteria are not met, technology development/ design may be required to modify the design. For Innovative systems, the NESA can identify areas where research and development is needed to close gaps in sustainability. Recently, INPRO made available a “support package” to provide assistance to Member States with performing NESAs.