Editorial of the Special Issue of the 13th International Conference of the Croatian Nuclear Society

Abstract

The 13^th International Conference of the Croatian Nuclear Society (HND2022) was held in Zadar, Croatia, from 5 – 8 June, 2022. The purpose of the Conference was to present and discuss the most relevant topics concerning the role and position of nuclear option in the current energy balance, with special attention paid to the countries with small and medium electricity grids. In addition, the other important goal was to promote regional co-operation and exchange of experience in use of nuclear power and fuel cycle facilities among the countries with an interest in the nuclear option. Authors’ and presenters’ contributions were provided in 8 invited presentations and lectures and 66 contributed papers grouped into eight thematic sessions. The Conference also included a panel discussion divided in two parts. The first part discussed the role and the importance of the nuclear option in national energy strategies while the second part was devoted to the challenges of the public relations for the nuclear option. Fourteen papers selected by a program committee are included in the Special Issue. The papers are divided into three categories: nuclear safety analyses and risk assessment (6 papers), operation and maintenance experience (4 papers), reactor physics, nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management (4 papers). Their main conclusions and their relevance to the objectives of the Conference are presented in this paper.