279 experts and representatives of institutions from more than 20 countries gathered in Portorož at the international conference on nuclear energy. They report that there will be no nuclear energy without investment in professional personnel, and without this there will be no green transition.
The international conference New energy for a new Europe has started, which is held under the motto Nuclear energy – the most reliable way to a bright future. As on behalf of the event organizer, Association of Nuclear Experts of Sloveniasaid the president of the association Tomaž Žagarnuclear energy is important in achieving all 17 sustainable development goals that have been set The United Nations. At the press conference before the official start of the event, he also emphasized that more and more countries recognize nuclear energy as a key source of clean energy, and expressed regret that Europe does not play a leading role in development.
Conditions for the growth of nuclear energy production
Experts expect a large growth in nuclear energy production, and this growth is based on three pillars, said Žagar. The first pillar is the long-term maintenance and extension of the operation of existing power plants, the second is the construction of new large nuclear power plants, and the third represents advanced solutions, such as small modular nuclear power plants. The fundamental assumption is that all three pillars develop simultaneously, and for this purpose it is necessary to increase capacities, especially in terms of professional personnel, Žagar emphasized.
President of the European Nuclear Association Leon Cizelj pointed out that after the accident in Chernobyl in 1986, especially in Europe, the training of specialists needed for the construction of nuclear power plants almost stopped. In the last two years, according to him, the term nuclear energy, which was for some time “banished”. Cizelj asserted that nuclear energy has so far “proved to be virtually the safest source“.
A greater number of nuclear experts will be needed
According to him, the European nuclear alliance, which is chaired by France and in which Slovenia also participates, has announced the strengthening of nuclear power plants from today’s 100 to 150 gigawatts by 2050. He estimated that 200,000 experts from various technical fields will get jobs as a result. However, since the USA also has similar plans, it will be difficult to get nuclear engineers, he warned.
Young experts are most attracted to small modular reactors, said Cizelj. Around the world, especially in North America, young entrepreneurs are developing about a hundred projects, and five of them may eventually come to market, he predicted.
On the sidelines of the event, they also signed a cooperation agreement between the Jožef Stefan Institute and the US Department of Energy, which will facilitate Slovenian researchers’ access to US national laboratories. “With this, we can open the brain drain door by a centimeter or two, but that is the price of cooperation.” remarked Cizelj.
A new research reactor?
The Association of Nuclear Experts also has a youth section. This weekend in Ljubljana will host more than 20 young European experts. On October 6, on the streets of Ljubljana, she will convince the public about the benefits and safety of nuclear energy, said the head of the section Tanja Goričanec. As she also said, Slovenia should consider a new research reactor.
Source: Rtvslo
