ITER CTA NEWSLETTER
No. 3, NOVEMBER 2001

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, VIENNA, AUSTRIAISSN 1024–5642

FIRST FORMAL ITER NEGOTIATIONS MAKE EXCELLENT PROGRESS
by Dr. P. Barnard, Chairman and CEO, Iter Canada
November 8 and 9 2001 marked the historic beginning of formal Negotiations Meetings on the ITER project.
Delegations from Canada, the European Union, Japan and the Russian Federation met in Toronto, Canada,
for the first in a series of Negotiations that is expected to lead, by the end of 2002, to an agreement on thejoint implementation of ITER. This agreement will govern, under international law, the construction, operationand decommissioning of ITER. All four Participants have been authorized by their governments to proceed tonegotiate.
Preparatory meetings were held in Vienna in July and in Moscow in June, where Canada's Ambassador
Rod Irwin presented his country's offer to host the ITER project. Japan and the European Union have also
expressed an interest in presenting a bid. Preparatory experts meetings were held in Toronto in late
September.
The final Preparatory Meeting for the first Negotiations Meeting was also held in Toronto, Canada, on7 November 2001. The results of this meeting formed the basis for key agenda items for the Negotiations
Meeting the following day.
The Negotiations, chaired by Iter Canada Chairman and CEO Dr. Peter Barnard, began with the acceptanceof a defined Work Plan and Milestones for the Negotiating Process. The Work Plan foresees the developmentof a consensus on the preferred site for ITER by mid-2002 and finalizing the Joint Implementation Agreementby the end of 2002. The Delegations then established the Negotiators' Standing Sub-Group (NSSG),
approving its charter and noting the following designated members: Canada - M.J. Stewart and J. Campbell;
European Union - J. Grunwald and J.-P. Rager; Japan - S. Ohtake, J. Michigami and H. Kishimoto; andRussian Federation - V. Korzhavin and Y. Konashkov.

Participants in the meeting1The meeting addressed the recommendations from the Preparatory Meeting and reached agreement on away forward on the following key issues:
1. The Delegations endorsed the recommendation of the Preparatory Meeting that a Working
Document prepared by the EU should be the basis for the elaboration of a first draft of the Joint
Implementation Agreement at NSSG-1 for consideration at the next Negotiations Meeting in January.
2. The Delegations undertook to provide information on their intention with respect to the preferred
procurement items to be contributed inkind to ITER construction. The International Team will also
provide technical advice on this matter.
3. The Delegations endorsed the conclusion of the Preparatory Meeting with respect to the joint
assessment of specific sites that a consolidated paper should be developed for the NSSG-1
meeting, taking advantage, as much as possible, of further exchanges of views in advance.
All of these issues will be pursued by the NSSG. In addition, the Delegations assigned an additional Task tothe sub-group. Owing to the importance of defining the management structure of the ITER Legal Entity andthe transition into construction and operation, the NSSG, with the technical assistance of the CoordinatedTechnical Activities (CTA) personnel, is to give early consideration to this issue.

The Delegations also took note of the recordof the Project Board meeting of 7 November
2001 that reported on the group's progressand set out the Work Plan for the CTA.

Dr. P. Barnard chairing the Negotiations

The Negotiations Meetings next addressed
the status of site offers. The discussion
included acknowledgement of the Canadiansite offer, review of comments on otherpossible offers from the European Union(France and Spain) and from Japan (Nakaand Rokkasho), and commendations to theCanadian delegation for the preparation ofits site offer and for the Workshops held on 5and 6 November 2001 (see separate article
in this issue).

During the Negotiations Meetings participants reported on the positive tone that had characterized recent
high-level contacts with a number of United States of America authorities concerning possible re-entry of theUS. The delegations shared the view that all ITER EDA Parties would be welcome to join the Negotiations
while they were in progress. At the same time, they recognized the advantages of early participation,
particularly as it concerns the agreements that will have to be worked out on the allocation of responsibilities
for providing ITER components and systems.
The Negotiations concluded by issuing a joint news release, reflecting a commitment to share the progress
reports on the efforts to implement ITER. In the words of the release: "The participants in the Negotiations
took important first steps on a variety of issues, and plan to hold the second round of Negotiations in Japanin January of 2002." These meetings will be in Tokyo on 22 and 23 January, and the third and fourth
Negotiations Meetings are tentatively scheduled for March in Moscow and May in Cadarache, France. The
first meeting of the Negotiators' Standing Sub-Group is also set for 18 - 20 December 2001 in Tokyo.

2MEETING OF THE ITER CTA PROJECT BOARDby Dr. V. Vlasenkov, Project Board Secretary
The meeting of the ITER CTA Project Board took place in Toronto, Canada on 7 November 2001, on theoccasion of the first Negotiations Meeting (N1). Twelve participants, representing PB Members and experts
from Canada, the EU, Japan, the RF and the International Team (IT), attended the meeting chaired by Acad.
E. Velikhov.
Discussions on the Preliminary Work Programme for the CTA and organizational arrangements for the IT andPTs took most of the time of the meeting. The Project Board approved the Preliminary Work Programme aspresented by the IT Leader.
Regarding the ten procurement packages identified in the Programme as having high priority, the PB:-Pointed out that work on the technical specifications for these priority procurements must be started
without delay. Amongst other things, this will allow timely identification of possible design issues
associated with different manufacturing options.

-Recommended that the IT and interested PTs (in accordance with their tentative expression ofinterest in the procurement allocation) work together on this activity by jointly defining responsible
people for each procurement item. Active participation of domestic industries will be important tofocus this activity on the optimization of the manufacturing processes that are envisaged.

Regarding preparations for transition to the ITER Legal Entity (ILE), the PB:-Recognized the urgent need to define the construction phase organization of the Project sufficiently
early for an efficient transfer of responsibilities and design authority to the ILE.

-Acknowledged the need to have a unique line management for the Project as a whole, under theauthority of the Director General, so as to ensure licensing of the facility and effective project
management.

In order to implement the Work Programme in the most efficient way, the PB recognized the urgent need for
the Negotiators to define the procurement packages allocation amongst the Participants. The PB noted thePTs' proposals for their possible contributions, tabled at the meeting, to the Work Programme and asked theIT Leader to integrate them into an overall joint Programme.
The PB took note of the IT organizational arrangements at Garching and Naka and the PTs' ongoing provision
concerning their CTA domestic organization.
The PB took note of the JA PT request to the IT and other PTs to collaborate in investigating the possibility ofreducing radioactive waste and tritium inventory, and to demonstrate power generation through one blanket
test module. All PTs willing to host ITER were requested to provide the IT with their domestic guidelines for
categorization of radioactive waste management.
It was agreed among of all the PTs to continue the EDA arrangements concerning copyright matters. The PTs
acknowledged their availability to bear the costs of publications authored by their respective members of theIT.
The PB took note of the PB Chairman's statements on the need and possibilities for implementing remoteparticipation during ITER operation.
The PB recognized the inconvenience encountered by the IT in operating in the absence of a Joint Fund andencouraged the PTs to exercise their best efforts for the prompt resolution of the difficulties that may arise.
The next meeting of the Project Board will be held on 21 January 2002 in Tokyo.

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ITER WORKSHOPS DEMONSTRATE DETAILS OF CANADA'S BID
by Dr. P. Barnard, Chairman and CEO, Iter Canada
On 5 and 6 November a series of five Workshops were held in Canada that provided thirty international ITER
participants with significant background on various aspects of the Canadian offer. The public - private sectorpartnership basis for the Canadian offer is unique, and the Workshops provided an opportunity for participantsfrom the EU, Japan and the Russia Federation to broaden their understanding of the offer and to share anddiscuss issues that may be relevant in the preparation of other site offers. Workshop co-ordinators came from12 corporations, three levels of government, one university and one technical college. Contributions weremade by more than thirty Canadians involved in managing the various aspects of the Canadian offer.
Workshop #1 addressed public-private sector financing and risk managementWorldwide trends in building major infrastructure projects were reviewed, showing a shift away from strictreliance on government financial resources and towards public-private partnerships, particularly in the highertech sectors such as telecommunications and energy. These partnerships are increasing in popularity in allparts of the world. Iter Canada's corporate members' experience has shown that they strengthen a project,with governments ensuring long-term support and stability, and the private sector providing security ofperformance resulting in more effective implementation.
The Workshop reviewed the ITER International Organization requirements from a financial perspective,described the application of the public-private partnership concept to ITER, outlined the Strategic Risk
Analysis Process and its implications for the project, and gave a detailed review of the financial plan for
Canada hosting ITER. This plan attributed the value of direct Canadian contributions at about CA $3 billion,
such as the current Clarington site, the buildings and infrastructure and the operating phase support, andpresented a cost comparison suggesting that selection of the Canadian site would yield savings in total project
costs compared to other possible sites
Workshop #2 reviewed the environmental assessment and licensing process already underway for
the ITER Project in Canada
The Environmental Assessment and Licensing process have been initiated with the Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission. This process initiated in Canada will ensure that a licence is available for the implementation ofthe ITER Project in Canada at the time of the establishment of the ITER Legal Entity.
The Environmental Assessment process is comprised of technical studies and stakeholder consultation. The
technical studies look at the environmental effects of the project for a specific geographic area and for specificperiods of time. The effects are reviewed under normal operations and during malfunctions and accidents,
and the studies consider feasible mitigation measures and cumulative environmental effects. Both the naturaland the socio-economic environment are considered.
The stakeholder consultation, or Public Involvement Programme, is designed to inform, consult with andaddress the concerns of the public. The programme defines the various publics to be consulted about theproject, and identifies specific programme elements to ensure issues of concern are identified and consideredin the assessment. The programme also helps establish the future direction for Iter Canada's ongoing
communications programmes. Results to date demonstrate strong support for hosting ITER in Canada andshow that the level of support increases with greater public understanding.
Workshop #3 outlined the Canadian experience with program management of major international
projects
Past and current experience was reviewed on overall project management; integration and co-ordination;
project requirements and system design, cost and scheduling baselines and performance measurement; risk
management and systems integration. Private sector members from Canada discussed their experience withseveral world-scale projects including the International Space Station, the Diavik Diamond Mine, Hibernia,James Bay, nuclear power plants, and Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

4Conclusions from the Workshop focused on the importance of on-budget and on-time project execution, thefactors underlying success in delivering a project of the magnitude and complexity of ITER, the essential roleof integrated project control systems and the value of experienced human input and decision-making. The
Canadian private sector corporations demonstrated their expertise and track record in these areas.
Workshop #4 detailed Iter Canada's Site Specific Design Team's adaptations of the generic ITER
design to suit the specific characteristics of the proposed Canadian site
The participants made the short journey to the Clarington area, just east of Toronto, where Canada's proposedsite for ITER is located. At the invitation of the Mayor of Clarington, John Mutton, the Workshop was held in
the Council Chambers of the Municipality of Clarington. The Canadian industry team reviewed their site
adaptation activities and results in site development, building modifications, geo-technical review, coolingsystems and electrical interface.

Participants in front of the sign at the Iter Canada site at Clarington

The detailed layout of the ITER facility on the Clarington site was reviewed, demonstrating opportunities forimproved operational flexibility. The site modifications to road, rail, bridge, utility services, and concrete andsteel-framed buildings were outlined. Options for cooling systems and the details of the electrical interface
and plans to meet power load requirements were also discussed.
The site's size, seismic characteristics, and proximity and access to outstanding transportation and electrical
power systems showed that Clarington meets or exceeds each of the ITER site requirements and site design
assumptions. There are also several opportunities for further optimization of the ITER design to takeadvantage of the superior site characteristics.
The Workshop concluded with tour of the site at Clarington, giving participants a first-hand opportunity to view
the actual site and surrounding services.
Workshop #5 addressed the socio-economic aspects of Canada's offer and was designed todemonstrate all aspects of the living environment available for ITER scientists and their families
The Mayor of Clarington, John Mutton, hosted a wide-ranging tour of the region. Participants were given a"passport" which contained a comprehensive selection of specific information about aspects of life in theClarington area. The tour featured visits to a number of community facilities, including a local hospital, aprimary school for young children, a local church and the headquarters of General Motors Canada.
Community leaders at each facility reviewed the range of facilities and services available in Clarington in theirarea of expertise.
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Throughout the tour, experts spoke about other aspects of life in the community, including the various realestate options, transportation alternatives, community safety and emergency services, and cultural andrecreational facilities and opportunities. The tour ended with a visit to the home of Gary Polonsky, Presidentof the Ontario Institute of Technology (Canada's newest university) and chair of the ITER Community Council,a group of local leaders that fosters communications about the ITER project. Participants, throughout the day,had an opportunity to experience the wide range of socio-economic choices that would make Clarington awelcoming community environment for ITER scientists and their families.
Throughout the two days of Workshops, ITER participants received a wide range of new and detailed
information about Canada's offer and the unique contribution possible through the public-private partnershipapproach.

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Printed by the IAEA in Austria
Februrary 2002

02-00122

Items to be considered for inclusion in the ITER Newsletter should be submitted to B. Kuvshinnikov, ITER Office, IAEA,
Wagramer Strasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria, or Facsimile: +43 1 2633832, or e-mail: c.basaldella@iaea.org(phone +43 1 260026392).