The NEA Expert Group on the Application of Remote and Robotic Systems in Nuclear Back-end (EGRRS) held its first plenary meeting virtually on 7 December 2020 with 33 participants from 14 member countries.
The EGRRS was established in 2019 in order to support member country efforts to optimise national radioactive waste management and decommissioning programmes through the application of robotic and remote systems. The group examines issues related to the implementation of robotic and remote systems in radioactive waste management, decommissioning and legacy management at both the national and international levels.
Participants at the December meeting evaluated the group’s progress in these areas since its creation. Three ad hoc EGRRS groups presented their progress on the i) status of current technologies and their application, ii) barriers and impediments, iii) cost-benefit drivers. The group also had extensive discussions on its future direction, vision and activities.