"Cold Commissioning" of the new OPAL reactor commenced this week. This involves testing all reactor systems and equipment without fuel being loaded.
During cold commissioning the reactor's designers, INVAP, and ANSTO will check that all systems operate and perform as expected.
ANSTO will then provide the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) with detailed results. Consideration of those results will be one factor in ARPANSA's decision as to whether it issues an operating licence.
The Bragg Institute Building was completed today. We expect to move into the building by the end of March 2006.