22^nd International Conference on

Bechtel Power Corporation 

Over 30 years have passed since the 1977 SMiRT4 conference was held in San Francisco.  During this time, nuclear energy has continued to be an important part of the world’s energy supply despite facing many challenges. With the estimated world population forecasted to reach 9 billion by 2050, the need for energy is expected to be more than the total energy produced to date. This projected growth in energy demand, coupled with the need for carbon free, secure and diverse energy supplies, confirms the potential for significant growth of nuclear energy.  The industry has responded by developing various standard designs, modular reactors, and novel ideas for the nuclear fuel cycle.  These new designs are in varying stages of development and implementation.  Along with this growth and development have come challenges.  Recent events such as the effects of the earthquake and tsunami at Fukushima in 2011 have highlighted the need for reliable performance of the system as a whole during an extreme event.  The nuclear industry is responding to the events at Fukushima Daiichi by taking steps to improve the safety and reliability of nuclear energy where needed and enhance the public perception of safe nuclear energy.  SMiRT22 offers an updated forum for technical discussions on critical topics facing the nuclear industry today.  The topic of safety and reliability will be emphasized in the conference and lessons learned from the recent events will be shared in extended sessions. I encourage you to make plans now to come to San Francisco in 2013 to participate in this exciting conference. 

Farhang Ostadan, Conference Chairman 

 SMiRT-22 Secretariat

secretariat@smirt22.org

http://www.smirt22.org/