[en] In the four years since the birth of NucNet there has been a gradual but radical change In the original concept of the network. In the beginning, the focus of attention was to make nuclear communicators better-informed and more efficient. What had been desperately needed for some time was an Information exchange system which would enable those communicators to do a better Job whether working proactlvely or reactively. The idea was primarily for positive nuclear news from Europe to be disseminated to people on the network so that they could pass it on to media contacts in their respective countries, as part of their regular dialogue with journalists. However, once NucNet was up-and-running a strong body of opinion emerged, arguing in favour of NucNet's most urgent, important or off-beat news - the 'A' category releases - to be sent direct to national and international news agencies. Quite rightly, it was felt that, in this way, the nuclear community could clearly demonstrate Its transparency and Its desire to Inform the public openly. At the same time, it was clear that sending to just a few national news agencies in Europe would not be enough. It was clear that NucNet would have to expand into a truly worldwide network and that, to reflect this, the main International news agencies would have to be put online as well. NucNet's growing impact on the media is a result of teamwork, and this teamwork takes different forms. It is: between the network's information suppliers and Central Office, among the Central Office staff themselves, between Central Office and the agencies, and between network members and their news media contacts. Through this continuing teamwork process, NucNet will achieve its goal of providing the media and the public with a balanced picture of nuclear energy

[en] In today's world, and most certainly in the future, a growing number of people seek a better life - with continuing progress. To achieve this, they need more and more energy and electricity. There is, of course, a limit to this increase; the world population will stabilize and advances in energy consumption practices will limit waste. I do not intend to speculate on figures for the future; I prefer to restrict myself to present-day facts and figures: eight billion metric tons of oil equivalent are consumed each year, a quarter of which is in the form of electricity. And of this electricity, nuclear power supplies 20%. Forecasting the future is a tricky business, especially when six years of construction lie ahead, followed by forty years of industrial 'life'. I am prepared to make such forecasts, though, as my convictions are based on three extremely solid reasons. These may not seem very original and some of you have perhaps heard me give them before; however, they are sound and will remain so for many years to come. Nuclear energy guarantees security in three major areas: energy policies, the environment and the economy

[en] On the topic of operational safety of nuclear power plants, as seen from a World Association of Nuclear Operators' (WANO) standpoint, we are all aware that nuclear safety has two quite distinct aspects, first the design and quality of the equipment and second, the quality of operation in terms of staff competence, adequacy of procedures and the prevailing safety culture, These two factors complement one another. Even the best designed plant will fail if the personnel are badly trained of the procedures are not properly established and adhere to. Similarly, the most capable of operators cannot perform well with inadequate instrumentation or other design shortcomings. WANO's combination to this dual approach to nuclear safety is devoted to improving the quality the quality of operation and it is this aspect which is the subject of my talk today

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[en] The study and development of fast neutron reactors have continued in France for nearly 20years. Rapsodie, the 40MWth experimental reactor which became operational in 1967, was followed by the 250MWe Phenix plant, which was connected to the network at the end of 1973. The conception, construction and testing of Phenix, which commenced industrial operation in july 1974 and has been working completely satisfactorily since then are summarized. The next stage will be the 1200MWe plant, Super Phenix designed on the same lines as Phenix. Finally, a few considerations of the economic aspect of this type of plant are discussed

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[en] This book proposes an overview of the career of Georges Vendryes, one of the main actors of the French CEA, notably because he gave his energy and inspiration for the development of various important installations such as Harmonie (1965), Masurca (1966), Rapsodie (1967), Phenix (1973) and Superphenix (1985). The author proposes a portrait of this man, and uses testimonies of his collaborators, scientific articles, press publications

[en] Articles address the following topics: Shutting down the EURODIF plant (end of uranium gas-diffusion enrichment); Radiation protection; Phenix, breeder reactor; The history of nuclear energy in France since 1895; The Soleil synchrotron; The PROCORAD association; The project of sanitation of nuclear base installations of the Grenoble centre; Radioactivity, it's natural; Matter: atomic, of course; Occupational diseases; Brief history of occupational medicine in the CEA; Seasonality as a key factor for energy; Energy sources; Energy as a strategic parameter of our standard of living; Carbon 14 dating; The French electro-nuclear programme: Nuclear reactors; Nuclear energy; The controlled thermonuclear fusion; Fusion by inertial containment; The safety of nuclear base installations; Health consequences of Fukushima 2 years after; Contributions of radio-elements in the exploitation of the living world; Radioactivity at the service of life; The national control of nuclear materials; Thorium as a nuclear fuel; Molten salt fast nuclear reactors; Will the Government sell off hydroelectricity?; French nuclear experimentation fields; The protection of populations and operators during the French nuclear tests; The atmospheric greenhouse effect; Smart grids, what to do?; Anthropic climate change: an answer for those who are doubting of its reality; Bio-remediation, application to the decontamination of polluted soils and waters; Indoor air quality, effect of venting on the radon 222 volume activity level; Marie Curie, an exceptional woman; Electricity, tomorrow's energy vector?; Nuclear, a precursor of circular economy; Climate evolution: which climate shall we make?; The G1 divergence; Heavy water and France; Seismology; The use of ionising radiations in processes of heritage preservation; The cost-price relationship for electricity in France; The third generation 1000 MW reactors, the ATMEA reactor and its competitors: Analysis of 2009-2018 data of the French electricity system; Energy-economy-society; Are nuclear energy and renewable energies complementary?; The small nuclear reactors; Uranium enrichment; Pollution and risk perception; Can we regionalise the French electric power system?