EDF - The MAI

EDF teamed with EPRI and TEPCO to create the international Materials Aging Institute (MAI), a collaborative research facility that will examine the critical link between materials science and power plant component performance and degradation.

The Materials Aging Institute's mission is to explain and anticipate the aging of materials in existing power production facilities, to improve knowledge of high-temperature materials behavior in future power plants, and to maintain expertise and skills on materials science. Its research will provide the technical foundation that supports the continued safe, efficient and cost-effective operation of power plants worldwide and supports the construction of new plants built to the highest industry and technical standards. Research will encompass materials issues at nuclear, fossil, and hydroelectric generating facilities. Initiated by EDF, the Institute was created to pool resources and skills between operators who are confronted with the same issues concerning materials ageing. The MAI Institute is mandated to work as much on matters concerning existing power plants as those concerning future plants. It will likewise ensure training activities for engineers and technicians in the continuing education and initial training spheres with INPG (Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble). Simulation tools will be developed in order to progress from understanding to prediction and, in doing so, better manage the ageing of structures and materials. These efforts are to improve preparations in advance of the construction of 4th generation nuclear power plants, as much as for fossil-fired and hydroelectric facilities and improved operation of older facilities in complete security.

• MAI website
  

EDF, EPRI and TEPCO represent 31 nuclear operators or almost half the world's entire nuclear fleet.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is a non profit-making bodysharing R&D for American electricity companies.

• EPRI website
• TEPCO website
  

The 2008 activity programme will focus on corrosion, fatigue, radiation, concrete pathology and the physical and chemical ageing of polymers.

In the Renardières site

Researchers and the MAI test equipment will be hosted in facilities that respect environmental issues and that comply with HQE (High Environmental Quality) Standards. A 1400m2 building will be constructed for these purposes on the Renardières site. The number of MAI members should increase rapidly thanks to new professional and scientific partnerships.