Tsuruga Session/FR09

- Let's talk: Fast reactors offers a new avenue for the future energy -

1. Objective

International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles: Challenges and Opportunities (FR09) held in Kyoto among specialists aims at promoting the exchange of information on national and multi-national programs, new developments and experiences, with the goal of identifying and critically reviewing problems of importance and stimulating and facilitating a cooperation, development and successful deployment of fast reactors and related fuel cycles.

On the last day of the conference, participants to the FR09 will join the Tsuruga Session. Hundreds of local citizens, nuclear related university professors and students, high school pupils are invited in a special admission quota to join the session. The participants will talk with general public on updated significance, importance and major challenges on Fast Reactors in order to deepen understanding of the issues among general public as well as specialists.

After the meeting, the FR 09 participants will join the site tour of the Japanese prototype fast reactor Monju.

2. Schedule

The FR09 participants to be invited from Kyoto as shown below:

Friday, 11 December 2009
	7:30 - 9:45	Bus trip* from Kyoto to Tsuruga
	10:00 -12:00	FR09 Tsuruga Session
	12:00 -13:00	Lunch
	13:00 -13:45	Bus trip* from Plaza Bansyo to Monju
	13:45 -16:45	Monju tour
	16:45 -19:30	Bus trip* returning to Kyoto
*: The bus fare will be supported by JAEA.

3. Registration to Tsuruga Session (closed)

Monju Site Tour (closed)

Overview

Date	Friday, 11 December 2009, 13:00-16:45
Place to Visit	FBR Monju, 2-1 Shiraki, Tsuruga, Fukui
Fee	Free
Application	Application due: 18 November 2009. Quota: 160 (Monju site tour application is included in the Tsuruga session application procedure.)
For Monju visitors: Passport is required for overseas visitors ID (Driver's license or Insurance card) is required for Japanese visitors
Contact	Tsuruga Session Secretariat

Monju

The prototype FBR Monju has an output of 280 MW electrical. Monju achieved initial criticality in April 1994. In August 1995, Monju became the first Japanese FBR to generate power. It remains the only Japanese facility that can generate electricity using a fast breeder reactor. In December 1995, sodium coolant leaked from a temperature sensor in the secondary system piping. Since then, plant operation has been suspended. JAEA is now restarting Monju by end March 2010.

4. Session venue

The venue is Plaza Bansyo in Tsuruga City, located some 130 km north of downtown Kyoto and 20 km south of Monju. 800 participants are expected including 160 FR09 participants from Kyoto.

5. Session Program (Tentative)

5.1 Opening	(20 min.)
Opening addresses are expected to be provided from IAEA, Fukui Prefecture, Tsuruga City and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
5.2 Keynote presentation 1 - Importance of Fast Reactor R&D	(20 min.)
Dr. Yumi Akimoto, President, Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization Dr. Akimoto is expected to present the following issues: Basic knowledge on FRs will be reviewed considering the effective use of uranium resources and the environmental burden lessening with minor actinide burning. The current biggest issues on fast reactor development: rector safety, non-proliferation and economics will be summarized. In particular, the difference from FRs will be explained for the participating local public who would be informed with plutonium burning in light water reactors (LWRs). The most stressed point in this lecture will be to answer the questions on why we shall conduct FR development and why now. Perspective on future uranium resources and duration for the necessary R&D will be provided.
5.3 Keynote presentation 2 – Lessons learned in US and expectations to Monju	(15 min.)
Dr. Harold F. McFarlane Chairman, International Nuclear Energy Academy, Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science & Technology, Idaho National Laboratory The EBR-1 performed the first power generation for civilian use in the world. After the historical event, the US experienced various changes in the fast reactor development and still continues the FR development. Dr. McFarlane is expected to provide a real story on fast reactor development in the US to the all participants of the Tsuruga Session. The history and the current US status will be a very good reference for thinking FR development. After the above explanation, the US expectations on Monju restart will be presented.
5.4 Keynote presentation 3 – Prospect on Chinese FR development and expectations to Monju	(15 min.)
Prof. Xu Mi, Chief Engineer, China Experiment Fast Reactor, China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) To respond to the energy demands driven by the growing population and recent economic growth, China intends to expand its nuclear power generation. Aiming at sustainable energy supply, fast reactor is also developing. China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) is planned to come into first criticality soon. After CEFR, a demonstration fast reactor project is under preparation and its site has been selected in Fujian Province. It is envisaged to start operation before 2020. Expectations on Monju will be presented with Chinese provisions on FR development and the reason why now China tries to develop FRs.
5.5 Discussion	(40 min.)
Professor Toshikazu TAKEDA, the Chairperson of the session will open general discussions and ask questions from participants. To conduct a discussion smoothly, participants will be handed a question sheet, recommended to fill in the sheet and to submit the sheet to chairperson beforehand. The Chairperson will invite additional comments or explanations from experts participating in FR09.
5.6 Chairperson comment	(5 min.)
The Chairperson will wrap-up a discussion in the session.
5.7 Closing	(5 min.)
A representative of JAEA will make closing remarks as the co-hosting organization.

6. Language

English-Japanese simultaneous interpretation will be provided at the venue. All participants to the Tsuruga Session will be asked to use English or Japanese.