Why is nuclear energy engineering in Finland first-rate internationally?

(11 Apr 2012)

In Finland, we have first-rate cooperation between research and practice. Our Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) is an internationally respected, competent and investigative authority. Any scientific advances are taken directly to our power plants rather than letting them gather dust in the archives of research institutions. These are only a few of the reasons why Finland, despite its small size, has sprung to the forefront internationally. This is the viewpoint of Riitta Kyrki-Rajamäki, Professor of Nuclear Energy Technology at Lappeenranta University of Technology.

The construction of Finland’s newest nuclear power plant is nearing completion. Discussion surrounding the need for or total lack of need for nuclear power, its safety or other related issues slips easily from matter-of-fact discourse to an emotionally charged debate. Professor Riitta Kyrki-Rajamäki is speaking as an expert in the field with decades of experience under her belt. Here, in northern Europe, we are leaps and bounds ahead in terms of safety. Further cooperation is needed, however, if we are to acquire the expensive research equipment that we need.

“Finnish nuclear engineering expertise is world-class. We're constantly developing safety-related technologies and power plants.” Finland does not, however, supply comprehensive power plants.

As a field, nuclear technology has been international in nature from the start. “Finnish experts have been highly regarded since the get-go. In Finland, we're used to stricter safety requirements. This is visible, for example, in the fact that we upgrade and improve any power plants that are imported from Russia or that have been designed in Sweden,” Kyrki-Rajamäki explains. We are also consistently updating the technology in our existing power plants.

“We could compare a nuclear power plant to a car, but when a power plant ages, inspection is simply not enough. Rather, in Finland, we make improvements in addition to the necessary repairs,” the professor says.

Research and practice come together  

What lifts us to the forefront internationally? Can we find the explanation in our education, work culture or elsewhere?

“When we originally began, this was a hot and growing field, and, for that reason, it attracted the most gifted students. The work calls for perseverance, precision and diligence, and those are all things that suit the Finnish mentality,” she believes. The most important factors behind the success, however, lie in practical issues.

“Being a small country is a benefit, since it translates into, for example, smooth cooperation and communications between authorities, researchers and builders. In North America, the university research related to nuclear power is more academic and is separated from practical work." The professor is currently considering what type of safety-related support Finland could provide to Japan. One key issue is the importance of integrating the latest research on safety into the existing nuclear power plants. At the moment, the strides science has taken in this area are not necessarily visible in the Japanese plants.

Does it work or not? A nuclear power plant cannot be tested

In Finland, it is common practice to gather actual practical experiences in order to produce safer and better technologies. The development work is carried out using test equipment and specialised software. Finland has one of the world’s largest experimental systems for heat transfer and fluid dynamics.

“Fukushima reminded us that heat and fluid flow are fateful issues when it comes to a nuclear power plant. We can't test the plants in practice, so we must have testing equipment and specialised software. We have to conduct a great deal of scientific research in order to get the software to work properly. That's the only way we will know whether the safety system will work and whether the results are good. If that's not the case, then the system must be modified. In terms of this process, Finland is at the top worldwide.”

Expensive equipment, necessary collaboration

Within billion-euro business, there is always a danger that corporations could dictate the direction of research or meddle with the results. How are ethical questions related to research handled in Finland?

“The Finnish Research Programme on Nuclear Power Plant Safety (SAFIR2014) largely dictates what we study. The funding is channelled through the State, and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority affects what we study.” Only a study that is conducted scientifically and openly is considered true and unbiased research.

The state of scientific research in Finland is currently being reviewed, and the report containing the results of the review is expected at a later date. Kyrki-Rajamäki does not want to discuss the content of the report, but she would appreciate a better coordination of energy technology in Finland. “The development of such a complex field requires large, expensive equipment, and that's just not possible for any individual actor working alone. This is why we need even more efficient cooperation to take place.”

The big issue for Finland, as the professor sees it, is that it is cold here and we also have industry that requires a great deal of energy. Here, in the North, we must retain and nurture the facilities that guarantee large-scale energy production and expertise in the field.

“I believe that energy-efficient technology is the future, not specialised and expensive methods aimed at generating more electricity. Product development is constantly providing consumers with new products that use less electricity.”

Text: Marja Nousiainen