Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies Course
Online 300-hour course in nuclear power plant shutdown case studies. 6 modules covering IAEA GSR Part 6 (decommissioning of facilities), Directive 2011/70/Euratom (spent fuel and radioactive waste management) and Primavera P6. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the phases and shutdown strategies of a nuclear power plant.
Analyse complete decommissioning cases and their success factors.
Examine projects with difficulties and unforeseen technical or financial issues.
Assess the territorial and employment impact of a power plant closure.
Compare management and funding models for decommissioning.
Identify lessons learned applicable to future closures.
Prepare a structured case study on a real closure.
Who it's for
- Decommissioning project manager looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Power plant closure planning engineer looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Decommissioning cost analyst looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Territorial transition consultant looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Decommissioning licensing specialist looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Radioactive waste management technician looking to specialise in Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown Case Studies.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear decommissioning.
What you'll work with
- IAEA GSR Part 6 (decommissioning of facilities)
- Directive 2011/70/Euratom (spent fuel and radioactive waste management)
- Royal Decree 1836/1999 (Regulation on nuclear and radioactive facilities)
- Royal Decree 102/2014 (spent fuel and radioactive waste management)
- 10 CFR 50.82 (termination of licence)
- NUREG-1757 (consolidated decommissioning guidance)
- Directive 2011/92/EU (environmental impact assessment)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Reasons for closure: technical, economic and political1.2Decommissioning phases and strategies1.3Immediate versus deferred dismantling1.4Safe enclosure and its implications1.5Regulatory framework and decommissioning licence1.6Stakeholders and their roles1.7Documentary milestones of the process1.8Typical duration and cost of a project1.9Case study methodology1.10Exercise: comparative timeline of two closures
2.1Small power plants decommissioned to greenfield2.2Experience with research reactors2.3Graphite reactors and their specific difficulties2.4Light water reactors and common routes2.5Management of the reactor vessel and internals2.6Decontamination of circuits before cutting2.7Cutting and segmentation techniques2.8Actual collective dose of projects2.9Results versus forecasts2.10Practice: analysing deviations in a case
3.1Insufficient initial characterisation3.2Appearance of unexpected contamination3.3Waste without a defined management route3.4Lack of storage capacity3.5Regulatory changes during the project3.6Cost overruns and contract renegotiation3.7Loss of knowledge from original staff3.8Logistics planning failures3.9Social opposition and administrative delays3.10Practice: root cause analysis of a cost overrun
4.1Economic impact on the local area4.2Employment restructuring and relocation4.3Workforce training for decommissioning4.4External contracting and contractor management4.5Alternative territorial development plans4.6Future use of the site4.7Remaining electrical infrastructure4.8Relations with local authorities4.9Long-term communication with the population4.10Practice: transition plan for a local area
5.1Project organisation and governance5.2Planning, milestones and progress control5.3Cost control and contingencies5.4Project risk management5.5Document and knowledge management5.6Radiological and industrial performance indicators5.7Independent review and audits5.8Recurring lessons learned in the sector5.9Transferable good practices5.10Practice: building a risk register
6.1Selection of a documented real case6.2Reconstruction of scope and strategy6.3Analysis of planning versus execution6.4Radiological and waste assessment6.5Economic analysis of the case6.6Social and territorial analysis6.7Lessons applicable to a specific plant6.8Recommendations for a future closure6.9Case study report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Primavera P6, MS Project, Advanced Excel, Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assignments are based on real procedures for comparative analysis of decommissioning projects, review of closure plans and cost studies, and territorial socio-economic impact studies. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the phases and shutdown strategies of a nuclear power plant.
Analyse complete decommissioning cases and their success factors.
Examine projects with difficulties and unforeseen technical or financial issues.
Assess the territorial and employment impact of a power plant closure.
Compare management and funding models for decommissioning.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with Primavera P6, MS Project, Advanced Excel and Power BI. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Course on Communication Policies in Nuclear Accidents
Online course of 300 h in Communication Policies in Nuclear Accidents. 6 modules covering IAEA GSR Part 7 (emergency preparedness and response), Convention on Early Notification…
Course in Ethics in Public Communication about Waste
Online course of 300 hours in ethics in public communication about waste. 6 modules covering the Aarhus Convention (1998), Directive 2011/70/Euratom (management of spent fuel and…
Course on Protection in Nuclear Medicine Facilities
Online 300-hour course in protection in nuclear medicine facilities. 6 modules covering Directive 2013/59/Euratom (medical and occupational exposures), Royal Decree 601/2019 (justification and optimisation in medical…
More in Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies
All Nuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships