|
Project Title:
|
Review of DOE's Nuclear Energy Research & Development Program
|
|
PIN:
|
BEES-J-05-01-A
|
Major Unit:
|
Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
|
|
Sub Unit:
|
Board on Energy & Environmental Systems
|
|
RSO:
|
Bowen, Matt
|
|
Subject/Focus Area:
|
Energy and Energy Conservation; Engineering and Technology
|
|
|
Project Scope
|
The committee will undertake a comprehensive, independent evaluation of DOE's nuclear energy (NE) program's goals and plans, and validate the process of establishing program priorities and oversight (including the method for determining the relative distribution of budgetary resources). The evaluation will result in a comprehensive and detailed set of policy and research recommendations and associated priorities (including performance targets and metrics) for an integrated agenda of research activities that can best advance NE's fundamental mission of securing nuclear energy as a viable, long-term commercial energy option to provide diversity in energy supply. The review will also include the relationship of the research program to the Idaho Facilities Management program. In conducting the evaluation of the R&D program, the committee will:
(1) Review the technical goals and timetables for government and industry R&D efforts in the various technical areas (e.g., Nuclear Power 2010; Generation IV; Hydrogen Initiative; Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative);
(2) Review the R&D directions and progress in various parts of the program and their relevance to meeting the goals of the R&D program;
(3) Review the overall balance and adequacy of the R&D program in light of the objectives and schedules in the major technology areas, and whether efforts in various technical areas are at an appropriate level, should be expanded, reduced, or eliminated;
(4) Identify, if appropriate, new and promising technologies not included in the DOE portfolio that the DOE could meaningfully advance to meet the goals of the program;
(5) Examine and comment, as necessary, on the appropriate federal role in the various technical areas;
(6) Examine and comment on the commercial implications of each major part of the R&D portfolio and what each element needs to contribute to the commercial adoption of the technology;
(7) Examine and comment on NE's strategy for accomplishing its goals, which would include such issues as:
(a) program management and organization;
(b) the process of setting milestones, research directions and making Go/No Go decisions;
(c) collaborative activities with other parts of the government or private sector;
(d) the integration of major activities in each program into a plan and associated schedule;
(e) integration and associated schedule and milestones of the various major programs across
DOE-NE;
(f) consistency of the budget, schedule and scope for selected major activities;
(g) risk identification and assessment and mitigation activities; and
(h) other topics that the committee finds important to comment on related to the success of the
program to meet its technical goals.
(8) Comment on the relationship of the R&D program to the Idaho Facilities Management program.
The committee will write a report documenting its findings and recommendations.
The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The approximate start date for the project is April 24, 2006.
A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 18 months.
|
|
|
| |
|
Project Duration:
|
18 months
|
Provide FEEDBACK on this project.
|
Contact the Public Access Records Office to make an inquiry, request a list of the public access file materials, or obtain a copy of the materials found in the file.
|
|
|
Tel:
202.334.2000