Recent Applications of the INPRO Methodology for Innovative and
Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems

Sustainable development is the notion that human societies must exist and fulfil their needs without compromising the ability of subsequent generations to meet their own needs, as defined by the 1987 Brundtland Report. The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) implemented the United Nations' concept of sustainable development of energy to assess the sustainability of nuclear energy systems and developed a methodology in this context. Member States can use the INPRO methodology for their long term-planning for the deployment of sustainable nuclear energy. The INPRO methodology encompasses the following six subject areas: economics, environmental impacts, infrastructure, proliferation resistance, safety, and waste management. Member States can use the INPRO methodology to do a Nuclear Energy Systems Assessment (NESA), which is a sustainability assessment of a State’s nuclear energy system, or a part of the system, such as a reactor. These assessments identify gaps in sustainability, which designers can address during design phases or State should address to close the gaps. There are many recent NESA publications covering a variety of innovative nuclear energy systems. Many countries, including newcomer countries, used NESA process to evaluate sustainability of a variety of nuclear energy systems, including nuclear power plants, fuel fabrication facilities, and experimental reactor facilities. Some assessments covered all six areas, while other assessments were limited, covering only one or a few areas. These self-assessments on sustainability support Member States in decision making for the implementation of these innovative nuclear energy systems, showing that the NESA process is applicable to innovative and advanced nuclear energy systems.