Nuclear Power
Nuclear energy is an energy conversion technology with low greenhouse gas emissions. Worldwide, their significance for future security of supply is assessed differently. Safety aspects will accompany the dismantling process for years, in addition to plant operation abroad, even after the phase-out of nuclear energy (in Germany according to the 13th Act Amending the Atomic Energy Act of July 31, 2011).
In this area, vgbe provides the communication platform for questions concerning technology, operation and safety of nuclear power plants both in the operating phases and in the phase of decommissioning and dismantling. The focus is on short-term and practice-oriented as well as long-term, strategically oriented topics. The focus is on short-term and practice-oriented as well as long-term, strategically oriented topics.
Our range of services
Activities
The exchange of experience on technical issues relating to the operation of nuclear power plants and their decommissioning is a mainstay of the association’s activities. Within the framework of the exchange of experiences in the vgbe committees, the following topics are currently being focussed:
- Maintaining qualifications or repair capability for electrical and IC systems;
- Implementation of changes in the regulations;
- Establishment of fuel element freedom after termination of power operation;
- Safeguards concept for decommissioning; dismantling and disposal
- Chemistry in the nuclear power plant (water law, decontamination of primary circuit, disposal).
The vgbe-Standards and position papers are an important result of the committee work. Position papers are prepared, e.g., to comment on guidelines and to implement regulatory requirements.
- Reporting and Evaluation Centre (ZMA)
Information system for the exchange and use of operating experience – reportable incidents from nuclear power plants (worldwide) - QP Database (QPDB)
Information system on qualified operating materials for use in nuclear power plants - Contractor Database (Market-in-Market)
Information system on qualification of suppliers in accordance with Safety Standard KTA 1401
Overview of all databases can be found here!
- Ageing management in structural engineering according to KTA 1403 (VGB-S-024),
- Civil engineering for nuclear power plants (VGB-S-026),
- Learning objective checks in initial and further training of nuclear power plant personnel (VGB-S-028),
- Professional leadership behaviour (VGB-S-041),
- Avoiding foreign bodies entering into opened systems/components (VGB-S-120),
- Water in Nuclear Power Plants with Light-Water Reactors (VGB-S-401)
- Analysis of the unavailability of power plants (TW 103Ae),
- Design of nuclear power plants against lightning effects (TW 850),
- ZEDB – Zuverlässigkeitskenngrößen für Kernkraftwerkskomponenten (TW 805-15),
- Einhüllende Risswachstumskurve zum Spannungsrisskorrosionsverhalten von ferritischen RDB-Stählen unter SWR-Bedingungen (TW 510),
- Konzept für bautechnische Nachweise für Kernkraftwerke ohne Brennelemente (VGBE-TW 813).
Overview of all vgbe-Standards can be found in the media catalogue!
vgbe solidarity projects of nuclear power plant operators on the following topics, among others:
- Ensuring the functioning of nuclear databases at vgbe,
- Qualification or re-certification of electrical and IC systems,
- Promotion of the KTA or DIN offices.
Technical programmes
In addition to the classic association activities, vgbe offers various technical programmes in cooperation with its members to support their daily work in operation, maintenance and plant optimisation as well as in technical-economic, ecological and strategic challenges.
Participation in the following technical programs is reserved for our members:
- Evaluation of reportable events operation of the reporting and evaluation centre (ZMA),
- Technical support on radiation protection,
- Technical support on Safeguards,
- Representation of NPP operators in working committees of the DIN Technical Division "Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection“,
- Operation of the Operation of the quality and product database (QPDB),
- Project management for joint vgbe projects,
„Nuclear Buyers Guide – Germany“
Even though the chapter of electricity production from nuclear energy has ended in Germany, Germany has a large number of specialist companies that are characterised by many years of experience and important competencies.
This includes products and services for the operation of nuclear power plants, their modernization and decommissioning as well as research and development.
It is a declared goal of vgbe and its members to continue to make their experiences and expertise usable for the safe operation and dismantling of nuclear power plants in future. For this reason, we would like to create an opportunity for companies in the German nuclear industry to present their products and services internationally.
vgbe Nuclear Buyers Guide – made in Germany
Initiative for "External promotion of the export of nuclear goods from the German nuclear industry - as well as support on international markets and in global competition (EFENDI)"
As a result of the events in Fukushima, the federal government decided in 2011 to phase out nuclear technology and gradually shut down all German nuclear power plants. This increased the risk of losing the operator and manufacturer experience, i.e. the German nuclear know-how acquired over decades and recognized worldwide.
It was to be expected that the importance of the national nuclear market would decrease. The companies in this country, which are mostly small and medium-sized, were thus challenged to compensate for this development on international markets.
The EFENDI initiative “External promotion of the export of nuclear goods from the German nuclear industry”, which had already been launched in the “Nuclear Energy” department, was finally established in autumn 2018 for the reasons mentioned above. Since then, as part of this initiative, we have been offering support to the nuclear industry in German-speaking countries on international markets and in global competition. To this end, we offer, among other things – together with renowned partners – business development trips abroad and participation in joint stands, so-called German Pavilions, at international nuclear events.
Services
- Assessment and qualification of contractors in accordance with safety standard KTA 1401,
- Recognition as radiation protection technician (vgbe) and radiation protection engineer (vgbe) in accordance with the vgbe recommendation on minimum training requirements.
You can find more technical services at vgbe services!
Events
- Workshop for the exchange of experience of plant managers from NPPs in operation and in decommissioning (annual),
- Training of vgbe auditors for contractor assessments according to KTA 1401,
- Training of contractors on the procurement procedures in NPPs.
Stay up-to-date and informed with our face-to-face and online events.
Publications
- Water chemistry of pressurised water reactors (Description of standard VGB-S-401)
- Analysis of the unavailability of power plants (TW 103A),
- Design of nuclear power plants against lightning effects (TW 850),
- ZEDB – Reliability Data for Nuclear Power Plant Components
- Crack growth curve for the behaviour of stress corrosion cracking of ferritic RPV steels under BWR conditions (TW 510).
- Konzept für bautechnische Nachweise für Kernkraftwerke ohne Brennelemente (VGBE-TW 813).
Operating Results of Nuclear Power Plants
Performance indicators of power plants allow the evaluation of the operating results of the plant. Standardised definitions, collection and calculation directives form the basis for the determination of indicators concerning availability and utilisation. They are defined in the VGB-Standard VGB-S-002-03-2016-08-EN (former RV808) Technical and Commercial Key Indicators for Power Plants. You can purchase this publication in our Online Shop.
Availability of Nuclear Power Plants in 2024
Current operating results of nuclear power plants – July 2025
Here you will find an overview of the operations results of nuclear power plants worldwide:
Get in touch
We are looking forward to inform you
Our team
Dr. Lena Jentjens
Radiation protection, regulations
Katrin van Bevern
Dagmar Oppenkowski
Coordination centre, ZMA
