Annual Reports

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2021 Annual Report

This fourteenth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of GIF in 2021. In 2021, GIF completed its second decade as the sole international organization dedicated to collaborative research and development (R&D) on Gen-IV systems. Since 2001, GIF has been promoting international R&D collaboration for six types of Gen-IV reactor systems using sodium, lead, gas, molten salt and supercritical water coolants.

During 2021, one of the significant activities and efforts that GIF addressed was substantive engagement with the private sector, as well efforts to deepen GIF’s role in climate change initiatives. GIF also made significant strides in advancing the safety framework of Gen-IV systems, including strengthened collaborations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency’s (NEA). Going forward, GIF will further reinforce Gen-IV system features to combat climate change, enhance engagement with industry, while continuing to support the Gen-IV talent pipeline.

GIF 2021 Annual Report (Full version)

 GIF 2020 Annual Report cover page

2020 Annual Report

This thirteenth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report covers 2020. In 2020, the GIF, as have all, had to adapt its way of working to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic situation. In the face of this, all GIF members made their best efforts to produce deliverables and fulfil their objectives in an optimized manner.

In 2020 the GIF organization started its transition towards a new communications approach through a rebranding of its logo and website. This transitional phase will lead the Generation IV International Forum to a new approach in line with the current situation: more virtual meetings and exchanges; a powerful and updated GIF website to ease and simplify interactions between members; and regular communication through high standard monthly webinars and newsletters. Thus the GIF is ready to enter its third decade of existence in the particular context of a new energy paradigm and an unpredictable sanitary situation.

GIF 2020 Annual Report (Full version)

GIF 2019 Annual Report cover page

2019 Annual Report

This twelfth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report covers actions in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, the Fourth GIF Symposium Proceedings was issued in place of the Annual Report.

In 2019 the GIF entirely renewed its Board with new members in all key governance positions. Moreover, for the first time in the history of GIF management, each Vice-chair was granted a three-year mandate, thus assisting the GIF Chairman to better understand the drivers, opportunities, and constraints related to three key crosscutting topics connected with all GEN IV systems: Regulatory Issues; Market Opportunities and Challenges; and Enhancement of R&D Collaborations. In terms of management, GIF has kept the structure that has proved successful in the past. This Annual Report also includes a list of selected related scientific publications that show the relevance and the high scientific quality of the research carried out by all GIF members.

For the first time, this Annual Report will only be published in an electronic format, available on the GIF Website.

GIF 2019 Annual Report (Full version)

GIF Annual Report 2017

2017 Annual Report

This eleventh edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2017. During the year, several of the GIF Project Arrangements were extended for another ten years, new projects were prepared and others terminated, thereby setting the scene for long-term co-operation among GIF members. Australia, which joined the GIF in 2016, formally acceded to the Framework Agreement in 2017, and subsequently signed the Systems Arrangements for very high temperature reactors and the molten salt reactors.

The safety design criteria and guidelines first developed for sodium fast reactors were extended to other systems, and the Education and Training Task Force successfully organised twelve webinars. In the context of rapidly evolving energy markets and efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the GIF continued to work on assessing and highlighting the benefits of deploying Generation IV systems with the support of the Economic Modelling Working Group and the Senior Industry Advisory Panel.

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GIF Annual Report 2016

2016 Annual Report

This tenth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2016 under the new Chair of the GIF Policy Group. The Framework Agreement, formally extended for ten years in February 2015, was signed by the remaining countries in 2016. The GIF is set to continue actively engaging in R&D on Generation IV systems with the extension of the four System Arrangements (sodium-cooled fast reactor, gas-cooled fast reactor, supercritical water-cooled reactor and very high temperature reactor) until 2026.

Australia became the 14th country to join the GIF after signing the Charter in June 2016 and initiating the process to accede to the Framework Agreement. This annual report also provides a detailed description of progress made in the eleven existing project arrangements and under the Memorandum of Understanding governing R&D exchanges on molten salt reactors and lead-cooled fast reactors. In addition, it outlines the 2016 activities of the methodology working groups and the two dedicated task forces, one on the development of safety-design criteria and the other on education and training.

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2015 Annual Report

This ninth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2015. On 26 February 2015, the Framework Agreement for International Collaboration on Research and Development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems was extended for another ten years, thereby paving the way for continued collaboration among participating countries.

GIF organised the 3rd Symposium in Makuhari Messe, Japan in May 2015 to present progress made in the development of the six generation IV systems: the gas-cooled fast reactor, the sodium-cooled fast reactor, the supercritical-water-cooled reactor, the very-high-temperature reactor, the lead-cooled fast reactor and the molten salt reactor. The report gives a detailed description of progress made in the 11 existing project arrangements. It also describes the development of safety design criteria and guidelines for the sodium-cooled fast reactor, in addition to the outcome of GIF engagement with regulators on safety approaches for generation IV systems.

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GIF Annual Report 2014

2014 Annual Report

This eighth edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2014, and in particular progress made in the collaborative R&D activities of the eleven existing project arrangements for the six GIF systems: the gas-cooled fast reactor, the sodium-cooled fast reactor, the supercritical-water-cooled reactor and the very-high-temperature reactor.

Progress made under the memoranda of understanding for the lead-cooled fast reactor and the molten salt reactor is also reported. In May 2014, China joined the supercritical-water-cooled reactor system arrangement; and in October 2014, the project arrangement on system integration and assessment for the sodium-cooled fast reactor became effective. GIF also continued to develop safety design criteria and guidelines for the sodium-cooled fast reactor, and to engage with regulators on safety approaches for generation IV systems. Finally, GIF initiated an internal discussion on sustainability approaches to complement ongoing work on economics, safety, proliferation resistance and physical protection.
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2013 GIF Annual Report

2013 Annual Report

This seventh edition of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2013, and in particular the progress made in the collaborative R&D activities of the ten existing project arrangements for the gas-cooled fast reactor, the sodium-cooled fast reactor, the supercritical-water-cooled reactor and the very-high-temperature reactor.

Progress made under the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for the lead-cooled fast reactor and the molten salt reactor, including Russia’s signing of the latter MOU in November 2013, is also reported. The Phase 1 report on safety design criteria for the sodium-cooled fast reactor was published in May 2013, marking an important milestone in the development of safety standards for generation IV reactors. Finally, the Technology Roadmap Update for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems was completed in 2013, providing both an assessment of progress made in the development of Generation IV systems since the publication of the original Technology Roadmap in 2002 and an overview of the GIF’s key objectives for the next ten years.

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2012 Annual Report - GIF Symposium Proceedings

2012 Annual Report

The second Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Symposium took place in San Diego, California, USA, on 14-15 November 2012 in conjunction with the Winter Meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS). These proceedings present the latest developments in the GIF programme, and as such represent the GIF Annual Report for 2012.

They contain the full papers presented during the first day’s open sessions as well as updates on developments related to the six GIF systems, the work performed by the horizontal working groups and the “Safety Design Criteria” task force, and the strategic planning activities of the GIF. The symposium was preceded by the ANS President’s Special Session which marked the ten-year anniversary of the GIF Technology Roadmap. Former Chairs William Magwood and Jacques Bouchard were honoured during this special session, in the presence of the current GIF Chair Yutaka Sagayama and GIF Vice-Chair Christophe Béhar. A summary of their speeches is reprinted herein, courtesy of the ANS.

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2011 Annual Report

2011 Annual Report

This fifth edition of the GIF Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2011, and in particular, the progress made in the collaborative R&D activities of the ten existing project arrangements.

�In July 2011, all 13-members signed the extension of the GIF Charter, thus enabling the Forum to continue collaborating on the development of the six Generation IV nuclear energy systems under the organisational framework provided by the Charter and the intergovernmental Framework Agreement. Taking into account lessons learnt from the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the Forum is developing safety design criteria in support of future licensing activities. In 2011, this mainly focused on the sodium-cooled fast reactor. Another highlight of 2011 was the Russian signature of the system arrangement for the supercritical-water-cooled reactor system, and the memorandum of understanding for the lead-cooled fast reactor.

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2010 Annual Report

2010 Annual Report

This fourth edition of the GIF Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum in 2010. The ten active members are continuing their efforts to develop the six most promising concepts for the future generation of nuclear power as selected when the Forum was established.

�Two additional R&D Project Arrangements became effective in 2010, increasing the total to ten. Two Memorandum of Understanding were also signed to facilitate co-operation on the lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) and molten salt reactor (MSR) systems.

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2009 Annual Report

2009 Annual Report

The third edition of the GIF Annual Report highlights the main achievements of the Forum held in 2009. After the signature of the Framework Agreement by the Russian Federation, ten active members are now sharing their efforts in developing the six more promising concepts for the future generation of nuclear power plants as selected at the origin of the Forum.

�Three more R&D Project Arrangements became effective in 2009, including the first Project Arrangements for Gas-cooled Fast Reactor and Super Critical Water-cooled Reactor. The GIF Symposium, held in Paris, France, in September 2009 offered the opportunity to representatives from all GIF entities to present the progress and main achievements of the different groups during the past ten years, as well as to present their priorities for the next five years to both the GIF community and other stakeholders.

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2008 Annual Report

2008 Annual Report

This 2008 Annual Report is the second annual report issued by GIF. It provides an update on the GIF organization, membership, and participation in R&D projects for each Generation IV system. It summarizes the milestones for development of each system and progress of the R&D toward their accomplishment. Finally, it includes a brief description of the cooperation between GIF and other international endeavors for the development of nuclear energy.

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2007 Annual Report

2007 Annual Report

This annual report is the first to be issued by the GIF. It summarizes the GIF goals and accomplishments throughout 2007, describes its membership and organization, and provides an overview of its cooperation with other international endeavors for the development of nuclear energy. Future editions will focus on technical progress.

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