Nuclear: ENEA and ISIN participate in IAEA emergency response exercise

Nuclear: ENEA and ISIN participate in IAEA emergency response exercise

ENEA participated with the ISIN Inspectorate in the international nuclear emergency exercise ConvEx-3 (Convention Exercise Level 3), organized by the Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the interface with the national authorities participating in the RANET network, which includes over 40 countries.

In Italy, the ISIN Inspectorate acts as the national authority, acting as a go between between the IAEA and the coordination of National Assistance Capabilities (NAC), which in our country are guaranteed by ENEA in the field of radiation protection and nuclear safety, in particular: radiation monitoring, sampling and analysis, source search and recovery, radiological safety assessment and advice, dosimetry, and decontamination.

During the 36-hour exercise, an accident was simulated at the Romanian nuclear power plant in Cernavodă, about 160 kilometers east of Bucharest, to test the ability of states that are parties to the international Conventions on Early Notification and Assistance, to provide international assistance, both on-site and remotely. The participants simulated real-time decisions and emergency communications.

During the exercise, a request for assistance was received via the RANET system from the competent authority in Romania and then from neighboring Moldova, to which Italy responded with an offer of assistance through ISIN.

This is the second exercise in which ENEA has taken part since Italy joined the IAEA's Response and Assistance NETwork (RANET) in 2023. It was an opportunity to test communication methods and confirm ENEA effective technical assistance capabilities.