Areva - Reference Document 2016

11

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, PATENTS AND LICENSES

11.2 Intellectual property

p increased performance of non-destructive examinations and in-situ work; p optimization of the design, manufacturing and assembly of replacement components; p products providing customers with better measurement performance and operational savings, as well as enhanced worker safety. Supporting these different objectives, AREVA NP is especially involved in efforts to understand and anticipate aging phenomena, in cooperation with the CEA and EDF, with the objective of gaining a better understanding and control of the aging of equipment andmaterials in the reactor environment (presence of radiation, pressure, temperature and mechanical loads). This in turn reinforces the ability to predict and anticipate materials capabilities and to offer suitable solutions for extending the operating period of reactors and reactor components in response to the needs of power generation companies. AREVANP is also heavily involved in efforts to understand and analyze safety issues (risk prevention, management and mitigation) through its own programs and in collaboration with the IRSN, the CEA and EDF, for example through R&D programs on severe accidents carried out under the aegis of the National Research Agency (ANR) or in a European framework (H2020).

All of the experts and Metallurgy Technical Centers of AREVA NP have also been fully mobilized to provide the necessary support to the operator EDF to establish the compatibility of forged components supplied by the Creusot forge and other manufacturers with the conditions for their use, applying the new ESPN regulations. This gave the French nuclear safety authority ASN the technical information it needed to authorize, in late 2016, the restart of most of the shutdown reactors. A roadmap to optimize forged component production with regard to these new regulations was also drawn up and is being rolled out in the manufacturing plants of AREVA NP and Industeel, in terms of both the necessary R&D studies and tests and the corresponding investment. Small Modular Reactor (SMR) AREVA TA continued work on the pre-conceptual design of a small-capacity power reactor. This modular, integrated reactor is in the 100-150 MWe range. The ongoing design combines solutions used for high-capacity PWRs and innovative design bases in terms of technologies, industrial optimization, construction and operating flexibility. This concept was the basis of the proposal presented by EDF Energy, teamed with AREVA TA, AREVA NP and other French and English partners, in response to the invitation to tender for SMRs issued in 2016 by the British government. Research reactor AREVA TA continued to set up its technical standards (nuclear safety standards, development or adaptation of design codes and drawings for research reactors, with the CEA’s support) as backup to its proposals for international research reactors to countries wishing to invest in R&D or nuclear education, and for the production of medical isotopes. R&D ACTIVITIES OF AREVA TA IN PROPULSION AND RESEARCH REACTORS

Improving industrial processes and adapting them to changing regulations

The R&D teams of the Saint-Marcel, Jeumont and le Creusot plant sites have concentrated on improving manufacturing processes, aiming for their quality, reproducibility and economic performance. Advances have beenmade in particular in the pinning of the tube support plate of steam generators, in welding methods and in the inspection of vessels and steam generators.

11.2.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property rights, in particular patents, trademarks, domain names and know-how, play an important role in the group’s daily operations and thus in the production and protection of the AREVA group’s products, services and technology. Protecting the group’s knowledge and unique know-how requires a comprehensive

system for developing and managing AREVA’s technology assets. This is also the key success factor during negotiations of R&D and industrial partnerships, technology transfer agreements, and process license agreements, now standard practice for large-scale international projects.

11.2.1. PATENTS AND KNOW-HOW

Several years ago, AREVA set the goal of building a portfolio of patent rights consistent with its strategies and right-sized in terms of both quality and quantity, in keeping with the group’s research and development efforts. Today, the group has a portfolio of some 5,600 patents derived from more than 1,200 inventions pertaining to the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear reactors and related services. In 2016, the group filed 51 priority patent applications from operations held for sale (14 in the NewCo consolidation scope and 37 in the New NP scope).

In addition to the patent portfolios, AREVA has elected tomaintain the confidentiality of some of its technology innovations. Accordingly, the group owns and uses valuable know-how recognized for its technical excellence that contributes to AREVA’s leadership in its businesses and bolsters the group’s technical and commercial offering.

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2016 AREVA REFERENCE DOCUMENT