A.Y. Podchufarov Participates in Seminar “Small Modular Nuclear Power Plants. Integral Reactor VVER‑I” at OKB GIDROPRESS JSC

On February 8, a seminar on “Small Modular Nuclear Power Plants. Integral Reactor VVER‑I” was held at OKB GIDROPRESS JSC (Rosatom State Corporation), attended by Andrey Y. Podchufarov, Head of the Joint Department with the Foreign Trade Association “Avtopromimport.” The event discussed the development of a small modular reactor of the VVER type (VVER‑I reactor plant) and its key technical characteristics, which were presented by specialists from OKB GIDROPRESS. Particular attention was paid to safety assurance issues and the VVER‑I deployment strategy.

The seminar was attended by representatives of Rosatom State Corporation, Atomenergomash JSC, the Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (STC NRB) of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, VNIIAES JSC, Rosenergoatom Concern JSC, RAOS JSC, GSPI JSC, Science and Innovations LLC, TVEL JSC, Atomstroyexport JSC, STC NRB, and Atomenergoproekt JSC. All participants agreed on the need to develop this project. According to Valery Kryzhanovsky, General Designer of OKB GIDROPRESS JSC: “The use of SMRs is justified by factors that have recently become evident in the global energy sector — namely, the growing demand for electricity and the increasing need for energy security and low‑carbon energy. It is now crucial to ensure Russia’s competitiveness in this area.”

The VVER‑I technologies under development may also become part of the cluster of advanced energy technologies, a pilot project launched in the 2021–2022 academic year, which includes the development of small nuclear generation and hydrogen energy technologies.

It should be noted that the development of the VVER‑I reactor plant with natural coolant circulation began as early as 2022, when young specialists with a fresh and unconventional perspective on the project’s further development were brought on board. To date, the modular reactor project is advancing in line with current national and international safety standards in the field of nuclear energy.