World Nuclear Association
Encyclopedia
The World Nuclear Association (WNA), formerly the Uranium Institute, is an international organization that promotes nuclear power
and supports the many companies that comprise the global nuclear industry. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining
, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel
fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and the disposition of used nuclear fuel as well as electricity generation
itself http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html.
Together, WNA members are responsible for 95% of the world's nuclear power outside of the U.S.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html as well as the vast majority of world uranium, conversion and enrichment production.http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/members.html
The WNA says it aims to fulfill a dual role for its members: Facilitating their interaction on technical, commercial and policy matters and promoting wider public understanding of nuclear technology. http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/objectives.html
Accredited to the United Nations
, the WNA is an independent, non-profit organization, funded primarily by membership subscriptions. It is unknown how much funding is dedicated to influencing policy.
's vision of 'Atoms for Peace
'.
and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. The Chairman of the board is Christopher Crane, President and Chief Operating Officer of Exelon
. Vice chairman is Andy White, President of Trilliant Inc. A board of management fulfils statutory duties pertaining to the organization's governance and sets WNA policies and strategic objectives, subject to approval by the full membership.
WNA operates a Council of Advisors which serves as a means of fostering interchange among nuclear industry leaders and eliciting their advice and support in the conduct of WNA strategy. The Co-Chairmen of the Council are Hans Blix
, Director General-Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Zack T. Pate, Chairman-Emeritus of the World Association of Nuclear Operators
.
The WNA continues to expand its membership, particularly in non-OECD countries where nuclear power is produced or where this option is under active consideration. Already WNA members are located in countries representing 80% of the world's population.
The annual subscription fee for an institutional member is based on its size and scale of activity. Upon receiving an inquiry or application, WNA's London
-based secretariat determines the fee according to standard criteria and informs the candidate organisation accordingly. The fee structure provides, in many cases, for significant discounts for organisations located in countries outside the OECD.http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html
A low-fee non-commercial membership is available for organisations with a solely academic, research, policy or regulatory function.
Ongoing WNA working groups, consisting of Institutional Members and supported by the secretariat, share information and develop analysis on a range of technical, trade and environmental matters. These subjects include: http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/objectives.html
When meeting to discuss industry issues, WNA members are cautioned to avoid any topic that could potentially create even the impression of an attempt to set prices or engage in other anti-competitive behaviour. Accordingly, topics not discussed in WNA meetings include terms of specific contracts; current or projected prices for products or services; allocation of markets; refusals to deal with particular suppliers or customers; or any similar matters that might impair competition within any segment of the nuclear industry.
The WNA also cooperates with the Nuclear Energy Institute
on annual World Nuclear Fuel Cycle meetings for industry representatives concerned with nuclear fuel supply and in particular the uranium market.
In contrast to earlier less structured forms of industry representation the WNA claims to provide a unified voice from a single body; encompassing all manner of industry expertise and perspectives. It is clear and unreserved in its purpose of promoting the maximum feasible use of safe nuclear power.
The WNA supports World Nuclear News (WNN
), an online news service intended to bring accurate and accessible information on developments in nuclear power to WNA's industry readers and the general public. Its output is free of charge and may be widely reproduced in accordance with WNN's copyright policy.
The WNA reactor database contains information on past, present and future nuclear power reactors across the planet.
The WNA Nuclear Energy Index tracks the overall performance of publicly traded stocks representing 65 companies involved in the nuclear energy industry, and through this hopefully help stimulate investment in nuclear energy. This weighted and rule-driven index is rebalanced quarterly.
A joint initiative between the WNA and other prominent nuclear bodies, the World Nuclear University (WNU) is a global partnership committed to enhancing international education and leadership in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. It runs a series of programmes designed to complement existing institutions of nuclear learning in their curriculum. The premier event on the WNU calendar is the Summer Institute, which runs each year in July and brings together speakers from industry and government to present on all aspects of nuclear power. It also runs five one-week courses per year with partner universities around the world intended to enhance knowledge of today’s nuclear industry among students.
technology, professional exchange among its members and promotion of career opportunities in the nuclear industry. Although open to both women and men, members are primarily women working in nuclear technology related industries including academia, uranium mining, nuclear power generation, regulatory agencies, nuclear medicine, related organizations such as the IAEA and government officials.
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
and supports the many companies that comprise the global nuclear industry. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining
Uranium mining
Uranium mining is the process of extraction of uranium ore from the ground. The worldwide production of uranium in 2009 amounted to 50,572 tonnes, of which 27% was mined in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia are the top three producers and together account for 63% of world uranium...
, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel is a material that can be 'consumed' by fission or fusion to derive nuclear energy. Nuclear fuels are the most dense sources of energy available...
fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and the disposition of used nuclear fuel as well as electricity generation
Electricity generation
Electricity generation is the process of generating electric energy from other forms of energy.The fundamental principles of electricity generation were discovered during the 1820s and early 1830s by the British scientist Michael Faraday...
itself http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html.
Together, WNA members are responsible for 95% of the world's nuclear power outside of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html as well as the vast majority of world uranium, conversion and enrichment production.http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/members.html
The WNA says it aims to fulfill a dual role for its members: Facilitating their interaction on technical, commercial and policy matters and promoting wider public understanding of nuclear technology. http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/objectives.html
Accredited to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, the WNA is an independent, non-profit organization, funded primarily by membership subscriptions. It is unknown how much funding is dedicated to influencing policy.
Charter of Ethics
The WNA has established a Charter of Ethics http://www.world-nuclear.org/aboutwna/charter.htm to serve as a common credo amongst its member organizations. This affirmation of values and principles is intended to summarize the responsibilities of the nuclear industry and the surrounding legal and institutional framework that has been constructed through international cooperation to fulfill U.S. President Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's vision of 'Atoms for Peace
Atoms for Peace
"Atoms for Peace" was the title of a speech delivered by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the UN General Assembly in New York City on December 8, 1953....
'.
Leadership
WNA members appoint a Director General and elect a 13-member board of management. The current Director General is John Ritch, former US ambassador to UN organizations in Vienna, among them the International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. The Chairman of the board is Christopher Crane, President and Chief Operating Officer of Exelon
Exelon
Exelon Corporation is an electricity generating and distributing company headquartered in the Chase Tower in the Chicago Loop area of Chicago. It was created in October, 2000 by the merger of PECO Energy Company and Unicom, of Philadelphia and Chicago respectively. Unicom owned Commonwealth Edison...
. Vice chairman is Andy White, President of Trilliant Inc. A board of management fulfils statutory duties pertaining to the organization's governance and sets WNA policies and strategic objectives, subject to approval by the full membership.
WNA operates a Council of Advisors which serves as a means of fostering interchange among nuclear industry leaders and eliciting their advice and support in the conduct of WNA strategy. The Co-Chairmen of the Council are Hans Blix
Hans Blix
is a Swedish diplomat and politician for the Liberal People's Party. He was Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs . Blix was also the head of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission from March 2000 to June 2003, when he was succeeded by Dimitris Perrikos...
, Director General-Emeritus of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Zack T. Pate, Chairman-Emeritus of the World Association of Nuclear Operators
World Association of Nuclear Operators
The World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry...
.
Membership
WNA Membership consists mainly of companies, and the WNA's twice-yearly meetings have primarily a commercial focus. Current WNA Members are responsible for virtually all of world uranium, conversion, and enrichment production and some 95% of the world's nuclear-generated electricity outside the USA (85% of world nuclear generation, including the USA ).The WNA continues to expand its membership, particularly in non-OECD countries where nuclear power is produced or where this option is under active consideration. Already WNA members are located in countries representing 80% of the world's population.
The annual subscription fee for an institutional member is based on its size and scale of activity. Upon receiving an inquiry or application, WNA's London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-based secretariat determines the fee according to standard criteria and informs the candidate organisation accordingly. The fee structure provides, in many cases, for significant discounts for organisations located in countries outside the OECD.http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/membership.html
A low-fee non-commercial membership is available for organisations with a solely academic, research, policy or regulatory function.
Affiliates
WNA affiliation entails neither financial obligation nor implications for an organisation's independence. WNA independent affiliates comprise diverse nuclear-related organisations that have decided on affiliation with the WNA as a symbolic act of partnership:- Professional organizations with an international membership and a specific focus of interest
- National or regional commercially-based membership organizations
- National nuclear societies
- Citizens' organizations supporting nuclear power as a key clean energy option.
Industry interaction
An essential role of the World Nuclear Association is to facilitate commercially valuable interaction among its Institutional Members.Ongoing WNA working groups, consisting of Institutional Members and supported by the secretariat, share information and develop analysis on a range of technical, trade and environmental matters. These subjects include: http://www.world-nuclear.org/about/objectives.html
- Nuclear fuel supply and demand
- Industry economics
- Nuclear trade issues
- Radiological protection
- 'Nuclear event' communication
- Transport of radioactive materials
- Uranium stewardship
- Waste management and decommissioning
- Sustainable development and climate change
- Security of the international fuel cycle
- Safe and sustainable uranium stewardship
- Global strategies on public education and public policy
- Cooperation in reactor design, evaluation and licensing
- Capacity optimization
When meeting to discuss industry issues, WNA members are cautioned to avoid any topic that could potentially create even the impression of an attempt to set prices or engage in other anti-competitive behaviour. Accordingly, topics not discussed in WNA meetings include terms of specific contracts; current or projected prices for products or services; allocation of markets; refusals to deal with particular suppliers or customers; or any similar matters that might impair competition within any segment of the nuclear industry.
Meetings
The WNA's Annual Symposium in London provides a forum for members, spotlights the role of the WNA's worldwide affiliates and serves as a platform for speakers from throughout the world nuclear industry. At some Symposia the WNA presents an award for 'Distinguished Contribution to the Peaceful Worldwide Use of Nuclear Energy'.The WNA also cooperates with the Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuclear Energy Institute
The Nuclear Energy Institute is a nuclear industry lobbying group in the United States.- Synopsis :According to its website, the NEI "develops policy on key legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. NEI then serves as a unified industry voice before the U.S...
on annual World Nuclear Fuel Cycle meetings for industry representatives concerned with nuclear fuel supply and in particular the uranium market.
Representation
The WNA represents the interests of the international nuclear industry at key international forums such as:- International Atomic Energy Agency and Nuclear Energy AgencyNuclear Energy AgencyThe Nuclear Energy Agency is an intergovernmental multinational agency that is organized under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...
advisory committees on transport and all aspects of nuclear safety - United Nationspolicy forums focused on sustainable development and climate change. (The WNA was in attendance at the 2009 Copenhagen2009 United Nations Climate Change ConferenceThe 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, was held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 December and 18 December. The conference included the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate...
climate change talks) - International Commission on Radiological Protection and OSPAR deliberations on radiological protection.
In contrast to earlier less structured forms of industry representation the WNA claims to provide a unified voice from a single body; encompassing all manner of industry expertise and perspectives. It is clear and unreserved in its purpose of promoting the maximum feasible use of safe nuclear power.
Public information
The WNA public website is intended to provide the best available non-technical source of information on the global nuclear industry. The site presents reference documents, and a wide range of educational and explanatory papers which are constantly updated.The WNA supports World Nuclear News (WNN
WNN (disambiguation)
WNN may refer to:*Wnn*World News Now*World Nuclear News*Women News Network*Weightless neural networks*the Wonka News Network*the code for Winnemucca *the code for Wennington railway station...
), an online news service intended to bring accurate and accessible information on developments in nuclear power to WNA's industry readers and the general public. Its output is free of charge and may be widely reproduced in accordance with WNN's copyright policy.
The WNA reactor database contains information on past, present and future nuclear power reactors across the planet.
Other services
The WNA is engaged in a number of other initiatives to promote the peaceful development of nuclear power. These include: the WNA Index and the World Nuclear University.The WNA Nuclear Energy Index tracks the overall performance of publicly traded stocks representing 65 companies involved in the nuclear energy industry, and through this hopefully help stimulate investment in nuclear energy. This weighted and rule-driven index is rebalanced quarterly.
A joint initiative between the WNA and other prominent nuclear bodies, the World Nuclear University (WNU) is a global partnership committed to enhancing international education and leadership in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. It runs a series of programmes designed to complement existing institutions of nuclear learning in their curriculum. The premier event on the WNU calendar is the Summer Institute, which runs each year in July and brings together speakers from industry and government to present on all aspects of nuclear power. It also runs five one-week courses per year with partner universities around the world intended to enhance knowledge of today’s nuclear industry among students.
Women in Nuclear
Women in Nuclear is a global not for profit organization with over 2000 members from some 60 countries. The organization was established in 1993 and is governed by an elected board and executive. The organization is sponsored under the auspices of the WNA and its objectives are identified as including the dissemination of factual information about nuclear and radiationRadiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
technology, professional exchange among its members and promotion of career opportunities in the nuclear industry. Although open to both women and men, members are primarily women working in nuclear technology related industries including academia, uranium mining, nuclear power generation, regulatory agencies, nuclear medicine, related organizations such as the IAEA and government officials.
See also
- Institute of Nuclear Materials ManagementInstitute of Nuclear Materials ManagementThe Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is an international technical and professional organization that works to promote safe handling of nuclear material and the safe practice of nuclear materials management through publications, as well as organized presentations and meetings.The INMM's...
- World Nuclear Industry Status ReportWorld Nuclear Industry Status ReportThe World Nuclear Industry Status Report is a yearly report that explores the global challenges facing the nuclear power industry. The reports show that the share of nuclear-generated electricity in the overall global energy production has decreased in the 2000s...