Proceedings of a symposium organized in co-operation with OECD/NEA, Vienna, 8-11 October 1996. The symposium was a follow-up to the 1991 International Conference on The Safety of Nuclear Power: Strategy for the Future and will be remembered as the initiating force behind the Convention on Nuclear Safety, which entered into force on 24 October 1996. The goal was to review the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the 1991 Conference relating to the safety of existing nuclear power plants, and to make available to all those involved in maintaining the safety of nuclear power plants information on effective methods, practices and criteria for safety review and operating experience feedback systems.

During the last century, nuclear power has been established as a reliable source of energy in the major industrialised countries. It has recently enjoyed a revival in attention and research due to the environmental concerns surrounding current conventional energy sources. Issues of regulation and safety are at the forefront of all discussions involving nuclear power, and will govern its place in the future. The Future of Nuclear Power takes a technical and comprehensive look at the current and future status of nuclear power throughout the world. The 17 chapters are divided into two main sections: a review of all current generation plants, and concepts for new advanced reactor design and safety. The broad-ranging topics covered by this publication, coupled with the current revival of interest in nuclear energy, make it a timely reference for all nuclear scientists. - Reviews the issues surrounding the future operation of existing commercial nuclear plants - Several chapters dedicated to the extensive research programs in place concerning safe and reliable operation - Compares nuclear and non-nuclear options for energy needs in the future; evaluating the benefits and risks of both