GIF carries out its mission through its Generation IV technology specific System Steering Committees and works on cross cutting and methodological matters through its Working Groups and Task Forces.
Get an overview of how Gen IV Nuclear Energy Systems are defined, what are the Generation IV criteria, which Nuclear Reactors Technologies were selected as capable of meeting those criteria and how this relates to the GIF Technology Roadmap (and its revisions).
Generation IV International Forum (GIF) was created as a co-operative international endeavour seeking to develop the research necessary to test the feasibility and performance of fourth generation nuclear systems, and to make them available for industrial deployment by 2030. Learn more about its governing agreements and structure here.
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Learn more about the Generation IV International Forum, its organisation, its members, its projects.
DISCLAIMER: The entry into force of the 2025 GIF Framework Agreement on 1st March 2025 brings changes to the GIF membership. The website will be updated in due course to reflect these changes.
The GFR system is a high-temperature helium-cooled fast-spectrum reactor with a closed fuel cycle. It combines the advantages of fast-spectrum systems for long-term sustainability of uranium resources and waste minimisation (through fuel multiple reprocessing and fission of long-lived actinides), with those of high-temperature systems (high thermal cycle efficiency and industrial use of the generated heat, for hydrogen production for example).
LFR (Lead-cooled Fast Reactor) systems are reactors cooled by liquid lead (Pb) or, in very few cases, by lead-bismuth (Pb-Bi) alloy and operating in the fast neutron spectrum at atmospheric pressure and high temperature. Many advantages of the LFR system are related to its choice of coolant: lead has a very high boiling point (up to 1743°C), favorable neutronic and radiation shielding properties as well as its benign interaction with water and air.
The Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) utilizes liquid sodium as a coolant and functions within the fast neutron spectrum, which facilitates a high power density and the advantage of low-pressure operation. Despite ongoing challenges in its development, SFRs draw on the collective experience of over 20 reactors globally, amounting to more than 400 reactor-years of operation. This extensive experience has progressively improved the safety and reliability of these reactors.
The Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR), one of six Gen IV nuclear system candidates, is designed for electricity and heat cogeneration, and its high outlet temperature is ideal for hydrogen production and use in the chemical, oil, and iron industries. Drawing on operational experience from past or operating gas-cooled reactors in five countries, the VHTR features TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel, helium coolant, and low power density that supports passive decay heat removal.
Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are a class of nuclear fission reactors where molten salts serve as the reactor fuel, coolant, and / or moderator. Research on MSRs began early in the development of nuclear energy. These reactors can operate at lower pressures (ambient) and higher temperatures compared to conventional water-cooled reactors.
SuperCritical Water-Cooled Reactors (SCWRs) are advanced nuclear reactors operating at temperatures and pressures above water's critical point (374°C, 22.1 MPa). SCWRs can feature thermal, fast, or mixed neutron spectra and are designed in two configurations: pressure vessel (similar to BWRs and PWRs) and pressure tubes (like CANDU reactors). Combining design insights from existing water-cooled reactors and supercritical fossil-fired plants, SCWRs achieve higher thermal efficiencies of 44-48%, significantly improving over the current 34-36%.
The Sodium Fast Reactor System Steering Committee (SFR SSC) was formed following the signing of the SFR System Arrangement in 2006. Currently, eight members of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) are engaged in the activities of the SFR SSC. This committee supervises five projects encompassing a wide array of subjects pertaining to Sodium Fast Reactors. Until recently, the SFR System was the sole system with commercially operating reactors globally. However, the VHTR system has now entered this group with the HTR-PM commencing commercial operations in 2023.
The Gas-cooled Fast Reactor System Steering Committee (GFR SSC) was formed following the signing of the GFR System Arrangement in 2006. Currently, three members of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) are engaged in the activities of the GFR SSC. This committee supervises two projects encompassing a wide array of subjects pertaining to Gas-cooled Fast Reactors.
The Super Critical Water Reactors System Steering Committee (SCWR SSC) was formed following the signing of the SCWR System Arrangement in 2006. Currently, five members of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) are engaged in the activities of the SCWR SSC. This committee supervises four projects encompassing a wide array of subjects pertaining to Super Critical Water Reactors.
The Very High Temperature Reactor System Steering Committee (VHTR SSC) was established after the VHTR System Arrangement was signed in 2006. Presently, nine members of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) participate in the VHTR SSC's activities. This committee oversees four projects that cover a broad range of topics related to Very High Temperature Reactors. The VHTR, along with Sodium Fast Reactors, is one of the Generation IV systems that has commercial-scale power reactors in operation today and has also had several in operation previously.
The provisional System Steering Committee for Molten Salt Reactors (MSR pSSC) was established after the MSR Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2010. Presently, seven members from the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) participate in the MSR pSSC's endeavors. This committee explores a broad range of topics related to Molten Salt Reactors. Molten Salt Reactor designs were investigated during the nascent stages of nuclear power and were even considered for airborne nuclear propulsion in the United States during the 1950s.
The GIF provisional System Steering Committee for Lead Fast Reactors (LFR pSSC) was established after the LFR Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2010. Presently, six members from the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) participate in the LFR pSSC's endeavors. This committee explores a broad range of topics related to Lead Fast Reactors. One LFR is currently under construction and about a dozen are under development around the world.
The GIF Economic Modelling Working Group (EMWG) provides a platform and methodology for the assessment of Generation IV (Gen-IV) systems against economic-related goals. It was formed in 2003. The EMWG supports the Generation IV goals related to improved economics:
"Generation IV nuclear energy systems will have a clear life-cycle cost advantage over other energy sources and a level of financial risk comparable to other energy projects."
