NAEC Energoatom and Witkowitz Atomica Sign Memorandum on DAVID SMR Research Reactor and Materials Science Center
On December 9, 2022, the State Enterprise "National Atomic Energy Generating Company Energoatom" and Witkowitz Atomica a.s. signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding to expand cooperation in nuclear science and technology.
Signatory Parties
- NAEC Energoatom — Petro Kotin, President
- Witkowitz Atomica a.s. — David Chrobok, Chairman of the Board; Bronislav Kulikov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Purpose
To expand cooperation in the field of scientific and technical support for the development of a research reactor and hot chambers, with the goal of creating a Materials Science Center in Ukraine to support the long-term operation of existing VVER power units and new replacement power units, based on the Czech SMR DAVID reactor.
Key Cooperation Areas
1. Development of DAVID SMR Reactor Project
- Research on methodological foundations
- Determination of design approaches
- Conducting joint seminars
- Cooperation in safety calculations
- Development of technical and economic justification
- Engineering and technical research
- Exchange of technical, economic, and design data
- Preparation for pre-licensing and licensing stages
2. Research Reactor with Hot Chambers
- Design of hot chambers for materials research
- Joint work on calculation substantiation
- Neutron-physical and thermo-hydraulic analysis
- Strength and probabilistic analysis
3. Materials Science Center Establishment
- Support for long-term operation of VVER power units
- Adaptation of DAVID SMR project to Ukrainian requirements
- Joint work with Ukrainian regulatory bodies
Working Group Formation
The Parties agreed to create a joint working group for designing the SMR DAVID reactor and adapting its project to Ukrainian requirements, as well as for designing hot chambers.
This Memorandum marked a significant milestone in formalizing cooperation between Ukraine's national nuclear operator and Czech industrial partners on advanced reactor technologies.
