Frequently asked questions

What is the GIF?

GIF stands for Generation IV International Forum. The GIF members are countries wishing to collaborate on the research and development (R&D) needed for the future deployment of a new generation of nuclear energy systems (reactors and fuel cycle facilities). For the list of current members, refer to www.gen-4.org/GIF/About/membership.htm. An important step was the selection in 2002 of the six most promising Gen-IV reactor systems to be further developed and deployed in two or three decades' time. This R&D goes beyond what is being undertaken by the nuclear industry today for the deployment and operation of currently available reactor technology. The GIF has created a legal framework for this cooperation, as well as an organizational framework for coordinating and managing the R&D work. Most importantly, the Forum brings the considerable resources of its member nations, and potentially others, to bear in a coordinated and concerted way on the challenge of a future worldwide expansion of nuclear energy as a sustainable energy source meeting high standards of safety, competitiveness and proliferation resistance.

What is the GNEP?

The GNEP (Global Nuclear Energy Partnership) is an initiative launched in 2006 by the US Department of Energy that currently brings together thirty-five countries in support of the expanded use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes worldwide in a safe and secure manner. The GNEP aims to accelerate development and deployment of advanced fuel cycle technologies to encourage clean development and prosperity worldwide, preserve the environment, and reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation. To date, 21 nations have signed a Statement of Principles for this cooperation.

The seven activities of the GNEP in the USA or with other countries are:

1. Building of a new generation of nuclear power plants in the USA.
2. Developing and deploying new nuclear recycling technologies.
3. Working to effectively manage and eventually store spent fuel in the USA
4. Designing Advanced Burner Reactors that would produce energy from recycled nuclear fuel.
5. Establishing a fuel cycle services program that would allow developing nations to acquire and use nuclear energy economically while minimising the risk of nuclear proliferation.
6. Developing and constructing small scale reactors designed for the needs of developing countries.
7. Improving nuclear safeguards to enhance the proliferation resistance and safety of expanded nuclear power.

What are the differences and/or links between the GIF and GNEP?

The GIF focuses on R&D for innovative reactor systems, including fast reactors, and their associated closed fuel cycle technologies, in line with the ambitious GIF goals. GNEP objectives also include the development of advanced fast reactors, but with a focus on the consumption of transuranic elements from recycled spent fuel primarily arising from today's light water reactors. Therefore, both the GNEP and GIF objectives call for the development of advanced technologies for recycling spent nuclear fuel. The GNEP objectives also include enhancing nuclear safeguards, establishing international fuel services, and promoting the development of reactors specifically designed for developing countries and regions.

GIF sustainability objectives encompass the optimisation of both waste management and fuel utilization (through recycling and a combination of breeding and burning in fast reactors). It is important to note that each country makes its own determination of which technologies to develop and deploy. While the GIF does not propose programmes in enhanced nuclear safeguards, international fuel services, or promotion of near-term deployment, these are nonetheless important and GIF will continue to monitor their advancement. The GIF welcomes the opportunity to carry out R&D on advanced nuclear energy systems in cooperation with the GNEP.

What is INPRO?

In response to a resolution of their General Conference in 2000, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) in order to provide a forum for discussions between experts and policy makers on the development and deployment of innovative nuclear energy systems (INS). INPRO brings together technology holders and users to consider jointly the international and national actions required for achieving desired innovations in nuclear reactors and fuel cycles. Currently there are 28 INPRO members including five countries that do not yet operate nuclear reactors. After establishing evaluation methodology of INS, INPRO moved in July 2006 to Phase 2, which includes collaborative projects on technological issues that need to be addressed for improved economics, safety, proliferation resistance and other topics.

What are the differences between the GIF and INPRO?

1. Mission and activities - The GIF is primarily focused on the research and development of nuclear technology to meet global needs. INPRO has a wide variety of missions and activities, including providing a forum for experts on necessary innovation in nuclear energy, developing methodology to assess innovative nuclear systems, providing common user considerations for deployment of nuclear power in developing countries, and facilitating international cooperation on technological issues.

2. Membership - GIF membership is limited to those countries that can bring substantial resources and expertise to its R&D programmes, whereas INPRO members include both developed and developing countries. INPRO is open to all IAEA member states. Currently, all members of GIF are also members of INPRO.

3. Organization and budget - GIF is a ‘stand-alone' organization, which has created legal agreements between its members to enable R&D cooperation with needed protection and sharing of intellectual property, financial commitments, quality management, and decision-making. The legal agreements allow for the creation of multilateral contracts for R&D between the members. INPRO is operated through cooperation between its Members and under the authority of the Steering Committee, consisting of representatives from the Members. The secretariat of INPRO, including experts from technical departments, is located in the IAEA and facilitates coordination of activities by INPRO Members. The project is being implemented mostly using extra-budgetary contributions offered by interested members.

4. Complementarity - The complementary nature of INPRO and the GIF and their potential for creating synergies in the field of nuclear technology development has been mutually recognized. GIF focuses on R&D and methodology for system development, and INPRO covers (1) assessment methodology (2) infrastructure & institutional aspects and (3) assistance to member states for collaborative projects. INPRO combines both technology holders and users and takes into account the particular needs of developing countries. The complementary nature of INPRO and the GIF was also confirmed in a G8 Summit Statement in St. Petersburg on July 16, 2006:

The development of innovative nuclear power systems is considered an important element for efficient and safe nuclear energy development. In this respect, we acknowledge the efforts made in the complementary frameworks of the INPRO project and the Generation IV International Forum.

Is there collaboration between the GIF and INPRO?

Yes. The INPRO project of IAEA has been cooperating with the GIF by sending experts to participate in GIF working groups (Economic Modeling, Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection, and Risk and Safety) as well as to GIF Policy Group Meetings. Interface meetings between IAEA/INPRO and GIF have been held in order to create synergy through collaboration. Examples of such collaboration include reviews of each other's documents including evaluation methodology of innovative nuclear systems, and cooperation in selected research projects. The most recent interface meeting was held in February 2008, and was attended by more than 20 experts from the GIF and a similar number from IAEA/INPRO who agreed on extended cooperation in the future.

Watch an Introduction to Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems and the International Forum (requires Adobe Flash Player, or download in pdf format, 1.2 mb)

Download an Overview of the GIF (pdf, 161 kb)

Back to top