Prof. Francesco D’Auria gives an interview for NPP Life Management & Extension

Balkans.com: As Chairman of the Joined Boards of Professors in Nuclear Engineering among other distinguished achievements and appointments, can you please tell our readers about the challenges and accomplishments that exist in Nuclear Power Plants?

Professor Francesco D’Auria:
Challenges for NPP:
1) Demonstrating (to the public) that they are safe enough
2) Demonstrating that the nuclear waste problem is a no-problem
3) Demonstrating that power production is independent of politics

Achievements:
1) Reduction of the polluting gas
2) Producing large power (the largest from any source) per unit of territory occupied

Balkans.com: They say Nuclear Power Plant Life Management & Extension coming up in November is a “must-attend”, can you please tell us why this is such an important conference?

Professor Francesco D’Auria: Because life extension is the most important technological activity in many parts of the world (including EU) in the area of nuclear technology. Life extension has the potential to generate large income to nuclear industry. Obviously the answer to this question might be much more detailed.

Balkans.com: One thinks Nuclear Power and as an average citizen, it can be quite unsettling. Is Nuclear Energy as scary as one might think?

Professor Francesco D’Auria: Definitely no, at all (I discuss the finance issue in my speech). One must always compare the risk (radiation in this case) with the benefits (electrical power production). Furthermore nuclear energy implies technological advancement and financial stability. The question should be put within the reality of energy production/consumption in each Country.

Balkans.com: As one of your focuses is on Thermal-hydraulics of Nuclear Power Plants, what is the most important safety issue to keep in mind for a Nuclear Power Plant?

Professor Francesco D’Auria: The highest challenge may come from issues like Anticipated Transient Without Scram (ATWS) and by events not fully analysed because of the low probability of the initiating cause (see e.g. boron dilution at start of life). The issue is that a not analysed transient having low probability may become much more probable once some precursor event occurs. Then it is imperative to model the I & C of any NPP: this is a challenge for the nuclear industry.

Balkans.com: What is the future prospects of Nuclear Power in Europe and/or specifically in this region of the Balkans?

Professor Francesco D’Auria: (I have been many time in Bulgaria and I have many friends there). The future is difficult to be predicted by me: today I do not see clear directions to ensure a nuclear program in Balkans (situation may become slightly better only for Romania in your region).

Balkans.com: If you had one bit of advice for any our readers- investor, business person, government official- who are interested or involved in Nuclear Power, what would it be?

Professor Francesco D’Auria: Obviously my answer is for EU only:

1) Continue to support nuclear technology 2) Do not have too many hopes that nuclear technology will expand 3) Do not be afraid of nuclear 4) Try to find ‘alternative’ ways to re-gain or restoring public acceptance (inclusion what I will propose)

For more information or to register your attendance, please contact Mado Lampropoulou on +44 (0) 203 141 0607.

Francesco D’Auria (speaker of NPP Life Management & Extension 2015) is giving an interview at Balkans.com.