Nuclear energy
IEC cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN agency that works to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies and which sets global safety standards for nuclear energy. Experts from IEC Technical Committee (TC) 45 take part in the technical working group on nuclear power plant instrumentation and control (TWG-NPPIC), which was founded by the IAEA in 1971 to give advice on and promote research into nuclear plant technology, notably human-system interfaces.
IEC TC 45 standards cover the entire lifecycle of nuclear electrical power systems, from conception, through design, manufacture, test, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, ageing management, modernization and decommissioning.
Cyber security standards
Cyber security has become a key focus for nuclear power plants (NPPs) as installations are increasingly likely to become targets for cybercriminals.
IEC TC 45 publishes documents which aim to define adequate programmatic measures for the prevention, detection and response to cyber attacks on computer-based systems in NPPs.
SC 45A has developed IEC 62645, Nuclear power plants — Instrumentation and control [I&C] systems — Requirements for security programmes for computer-based systems, to protect microprocessor-based information and control systems.
A second standard, IEC 62859, Nuclear power plants — Instrumentation and control systems — Requirements for coordinating safety and cyber security, provides a framework for managing the interactions between safety and cyber security.
IEC is paving the way for these new technologies by developing and publishing a wide number of standards.
Electricity generating capacity is expanding to meet growing worldwide demand.
Renewable energies represent a fast-growing percentage of electricity generation.
Nuclear power plants (NPPs) produce an important proportion of the world's electricity.
Storing energy is becoming ever more important as our demand for electricity increases.
IEC is forging a path for this global transformation with the required international standards.
Distributed energy resources are a way of increasing energy efficiency and improving grid resilience.
Getting clean and modern electricity to those who need it the most with the help of the IEC.
One of the most important ways of helping us to save energy is by implementing energy efficiency measures.
Renewable energy generates direct current and we use direct current in our homes to power many of our devices, from LED lights to mobile phones.
IEC publications help them to meet the various technical challenges they unavoidably face moving forward.