Nuclear Safeguards Infrastructure Development: Technical Collaboration with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission

摘要

Because of its increasing energy needs, Vietnam is planning to build its first nuclearpower plant. Vietnam’s nuclear fuel cycle currently consists of a research reactor andseveral nuclear institutes that develop radioisotopes, perform scientific research, andsupport other medical and industrial uses for nuclear technology. As a result, Vietnamhas a solid foundation on which to address some of the 19 issues laid out in theInternational Atomic Energy Agency document Milestones in Development of a NationalInfrastructure for Nuclear Power. Included in these issues are specific operational needsthat Vietnam will address in order to operate a successful nuclear power program. Such aprogram will be operated safely, personnel will be adequately protected from ionizingradiation, and the risks associated with potential radioactive releases will be minimized,among others. Vietnam is nurturing and developing best practices in these areas,furthering its technical expertise and management capabilities and building on existingresources in a holistic manner. By holistic, it is meant that the importance of the whole ofVietnam’s nuclear power program is considered, including the interdependence ofoperational needs with safety, security, and safeguards—referred to as the “3S” concept.For example, the skills that personnel gain in measuring radionuclides in the environmentand in waste streams are applicable to those that will be required for adequatelymeasuring and accounting for nuclear material. Excellence in management and operationof existing nuclear facilities will help Vietnam acquire excellence in larger managerialand operational concerns as it transitions to a future nuclear power program—includingnuclear material safeguards and nonproliferation. Vietnam is developing an effectivesafeguards infrastructure as part of becoming a responsible “owner” of nuclear energy.This paper describes benefits that Vietnam has realized as part of technical collaborationprojects being undertaken by the Department of Energy/National Nuclear SecurityAdministration’s International Nuclear Safeguards and Engagement Program under theU.S. Department of Energy and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the SocialistRepublic of Vietnam Arrangement for Information Exchange and Cooperation on thePeaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.