Russian State Atomic Energy Agency Rosatom, within the scope of the International Nuclear Power Plants Summit NPPES-8 held in Istanbul on 9-2022 June 2022, has awarded the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NGS) with Russian-designed VVER-1200 type 3+ generation reactors for the Turkish business world. organized a virtual tour. The virtual tour was held for the first time where the summit was held. Students from different faculties of Istanbul Technical University, one of Turkey's leading universities, attended the tour, as well as representatives of major Turkish, European and international companies interested in nuclear energy.
Novovoronezh NPP is the world's first industrial NPP with VVER type reactors. The 1200th and 3th power units of the power plant with VVER-6 type 7+ generation reactors were put into operation on 27 February 2017 and 31 October 2019.
The virtual tour was organized by the employees of Rosenergoatom Concern A.Ş. Participants were informed about the working principles of Novovoronezh NPP and its contribution to the regional economy, social life and infrastructure development. Thanks to the virtual tour in 360° format, the Turkish audience had a unique opportunity to get to know the various elements of the nuclear power plant such as the control panel, as well as the turbine building and even the reactor building, where no one except the personnel is allowed to enter.
During the tour, the participants also visited the training center, which allows not only Russians but also future Turkish personnel of Akkuyu NPP to receive training.
Training programs for Akkuyu NPP personnel, which will ensure the safe operation of NPP equipment and systems, include theoretical training as well as various stages, including in-service training and practical training at NPPs in the Russian Federation and later at Akkuyu NPP.
At the end of the virtual tour, members of the media had the opportunity to see the city of Novovoronezh, where the Novovoronezh NPP is located. The population of the city of Novovoronezh, which was established during the construction of the power plant, now exceeds 30 thousand. More than 80 percent of the people of Novovoronezh support nuclear power plants, thanks to an effective information system at the nuclear power plant, a series of social and economic support programs for the city, and a high level of employment.
Alexander Voronkov, Rosatom Middle East and North Africa Director and Regional Vice President, said: “Openness and accessibility to information are extremely important in order to have an effective dialogue with the public. We at Rosatom are aware of this, so in 2020 Rosenergoatom Concern developed a series of virtual tours to Russian nuclear facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited the possibilities for direct dialogue with the public, but has also become an impetus for us to develop new forms of communication. Today, experts from the Russian nuclear industry offer a unique opportunity to visit a nuclear power plant and communicate online with Russian nuclear scientists. This brings the nuclear power industry closer to people, helps them understand the complex operating principles of nuclear plants, and enables them to see for themselves the enormously important contribution that nuclear power plants make to the sustainable development of their regions and to improving people's quality of life.”
The participants of the event shared their impressions as follows: Istanbul Technical University Preparatory Department student Helin Oğuz: “I have not had the opportunity to visit the nuclear power plant before. The virtual tour was very informative and it was very interesting to see the inside of the nuclear power plant. The 360 format is very exciting.”
Istanbul Technical University Physics Engineering Department 3rd year student Mert Sancak: “I was satisfied with the virtual tour. After all, I had the opportunity to see a real nuclear power plant. It is good that our country has its own nuclear power plant, which is a clean energy source, and that it develops in this field. Thanks to the virtual tour, we saw how many safety precautions were actually taken at nuclear power plants. I think this will create employment for young people like us. I am interested in nuclear energy and of course I want to study in Russia. Thanks to the Akkuyu NPP project, a knowledge transfer is provided in Turkey.”
Bilge Kaan Demircan, a 1st year student at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University: “I went to a research reactor before. But thanks to the virtual tour, I got answers to my questions and learned some details that I was interested in before. It was very informative, especially on passive safety measures applied at the nuclear power plant. I hope for a clean future with atomic energy.”
Fadime Özge Özkan, Research Assistant and PhD Student at Istanbul Technical University Energy Institute Nuclear Research Department: “Students liked the event very much. Istanbul Technical University is a multidisciplinary university with a technical foundation. Students from different engineering faculties gained new knowledge in the field of atomic energy. Our students in the technical field had some questions, they found answers to these questions. Rosatom's speaker explained everything in great detail.”
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