Euratom Fp7 Fission Leaflet En

7/28/2019 Euratom Fp7 Fission Leaflet En

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Community research

E U R O P E A N

COMMISSION

Nuclear fission and

radiation protectionProtecting the public and ensuringsafe, secure and sustainable energyoptions for Europe now and

in the future



Reactor systemsNuclear power generates one third of all the electricity consumed in the

EU today, at the same time emitting no greenhouse gases. Thanks to

nuclear, the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by some

14% a year – more than 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent

to that produced by all the private cars in Europe.

Nuclear power contributes significantly to helping the EU meet its current

commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and it offers options for sustainable

energy supply into the future.

Euratom FP7 research is focused on ensuring the continued safe operation

of existing nuclear power installations and also preparing the ground for

future options that can provide diversity and security of energy supply

in Europe whilst combating climate change. Advanced nuclear technology

could deliver even safer, more resource-efficient and more competitive

nuclear energy.

A new generationNuclear power technology has evolved in three distinct design generations:

the initial prototype reactors; the second generation of reactors that form

the current park of operating power plants; and an evolutionary third

generation of reactors with enhanced safety and competitiveness

being realised in new-build plant today in Finland and France.

A fourth generation of reactors is now being researched and designedthat could be available for commercial exploitation from around 2025.

The so-called Generation IV concepts are truly innovative and revolutionary.

As well as being economically competitive and extremely safe, with

increased reliance on intrinsic and passive safety features and zero off-site

impacts in severe accident scenarios, they would make best use of

natural uranium resources, minimise waste production. They could

enable cogeneration of electricity and heat for use in processes such as

hydrogen production and other industrial applications. Many of the

Generation IV reactor designs operate with fast as opposed to thermal

neutrons. This will enable closed fuel cycles to be developed and the full

energy potential of uranium fuel to be harnessed, at the same time

recycling and burning the most radiotoxic elements and greatly enhancing

resistance to nuclear proliferation.

Research and development on Generation IV concepts is a global col-

laborative effort that is coordinated under the Generation IV

International Forum (GIF). Six different reactor systems have been selected

that offer the greatest promise for the successful achievement of the

Generation IV goals.

Euratom is a member of GIF with the JRC coordinating the Community’s

input. Other members of GIF are Canada, France, Japan, South Korea,

Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. China, Russia

and South Africa are all set to join in 2007.

Euratom research will investigate aspects of the selected advanced

reactor systems and associated fuels, in particular to assess their potential

and viability, proliferation resistance and long-term sustainability.

European research in areas such as materials science, fuel cycles and

waste management are also generically applicable to the Generation IV

portfolio.

Nuclear safetyEnsuring the continuing safety of the existing nuclear power plants

operating in Europe and neighbouring states is paramount.

Nuclear power plants are complex technological systems and research

into their operational safety is multi-faceted. It can involve tasks such as

plant life assessment and management, safety culture to minimise the

risk of human and organisational error, advanced safety assessment

methodologies, numerical simulation tools, instrumentation and control,

and prevention and mitigation of severe accidents, with associated activities

to optimise knowledge management and maintain competence.

Particular issues of immediate interest include research to link advanced

numerical tools with experimental data for current and future reactor

systems. This would lead to the creation of a European ‘pole of excellence’

in reactor safety computation. Other ‘hot’ topics include the improved

prediction of irradiation effects on reactor internal structures and claddingto model corrosion effects and therefore increase accuracy in forecasting

safe reactor lifetime.

The interface between man, machine and organisation is also an important

area for research. An increasingly multinational working environment could

impact on safety culture in complex installations – as can increased

automation.

© C o u r t e s y o f T V O , F I

© C o u r t e s y o f E l e c t r a b e

l , B E

© C o u r t e s y o f G I F



Management of radioactive wasteFinding acceptable solutions for managing long-lived radioactive waste

and spent nuclear fuel is an issue key to the nuclear industry and society

alike. It is a challenge that the European community must address today

and not pass on for subsequent generations to deal with. And it is

a challenge that will remain no matter what policy decisions are made with

respect to the contribution of nuclear power to future energy supplies.

A common European view on the disposal of hazardous radioactive

waste has developed over the past decade amongst a wide spectrum

of stakeholders. This view embraces the disposal of waste in deep

geological formations as the most appropriate, viable and long-term

solution. Research carried out under previous Euratom programmes will

enable FP7 activities to be truly implementation orientated – aiming to

establish a sound scientific and technical basis for demonstrating the

safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The objective is to show

clearly that the technology and practices are safe, economic and available

for deployment now.

In parallel, the use of techniques such as partitioning and transmutation

continue to be investigated, with the aim of enabling waste quantities

to be minimised and reducing significantly the time over which any

waste remains a potential radiological hazard.

Geological disposalResearch in the field of geological disposal of high-level and/or long-lived

radioactive waste involves engineering studies and demonstration of

waste repository designs as well as aspects such as radionuclide

migration, gas generation and alkaline intrusion. In-situ characterisation

of repository host rocks, both generic and in site-specific underground

research laboratories, will be undertaken as will other studies on the

repository environment.

Results from important on-going research will progressively feed into

the FP7 effort. This includes studies on the near field (the waste mate-

rial itself and the engineered barriers in the repository) and the far-field

(bedrock and other potential pathways for the radioactive elements to

migrate back into the biosphere), together with work to develop robust

methodologies for overall performance and safety assessment.

A multidisciplinary approach effectively integrates the work of experi-mentalists, modellers and engineering designers and the results are

also fed into governance and societal debates that aim to reassure the

public and help to promote public acceptance of these waste disposal

techniques. Studies on such governance issues also form part of the

programme.

Repository demonstrationA significant part of the programme will focus on engineering studies

and design demonstration that show effective technical solutions to

the key issues in a geological repository do exist. Initially these may

include aspects such as safe on-site transport, feasibility of construction

and proof of long-term integrity of seals. The operational feasibility of

disposal reversibility – i.e. the ability to recover the waste – and its

impact on the integrity of the repository system may also be investigated.

The emphasis of this work will be to fulfil the requirements for licence

applications. The actions undertaken may be broader than purely technical,

including development of arguments for the safety case and communication

activities to enhance public confidence.

Partitioning and transmutation (P&T) These techniques involve physical and chemical methods to separate

the more hazardous radionuclides from the waste stream (partitioning) and

their nuclear transformation into less hazardous or shorter lived elements

(transmutation).

P&T research could lead to systems that effectively reduce the volume

and long-term toxicity of radioactive waste emanating either from the

reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel or the spent fuel itself. Research will

also explore the potential for new reactor concepts and/or fuel cycles toproduce less waste during operation of nuclear power plants. This has

important links with the research effort on Generation IV systems.

Partitioning processes for viable recycling strategies will need to be

developed to a full demonstration at pilot plant level. Initially, work may

concentrate on extending the technically mature aqueous chemical

separation processes that are compatible with both fuel fabrication and

future fuel recycling strategies. In parallel, the development of pyro-

chemical techniques for partitioning will be continued in line with road-

maps for this technology outlined under FP6.

The work in this area will lay the groundwork for future sustainable nuclear

fuel cycle strategies, whether involving transmutation in a dedicated

waste-burning Accelerator Driven System (i.e. sub-critical reactor) or infuture Generation IV power plants.

By recycling and then ‘burning’ all the higher actinides in this way, the

period over which high-level radioactive waste remains hazardous

could theoretically be reduced from hundreds of thousands of years

down to a few hundred years.

© Courtesy of SKB, SE

Uranium ore (mine)

Plutoniumrecycling

Spent fuel

No reprocessing

MA +

FP

FPP&T of

minor actinides (MA)

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100

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C o u r t e s y o f C E A - S a c l a y ,

F R



Radiation protection The safe use of radiation in medicine and industry relies on a sound

radiation protection policy and its effective implementation. Research

under the Euratom programme plays a key role in maintaining and

improving the standards of protection, in particular enabling a rapid

and effective response to emerging safety issues.

Low and protracted dosesBuilding on important work currently being undertaking in FP6, a key

objective for Euratom FP7 will be to resolve current controversy on the

risk from exposures to radiation at low and protracted doses. A better

understanding of this scientific and regulatory issue has important cost

and health implications for the use of radiation in both medical and

industrial applications.

Better quantification of the risk, including variations in individuals’ response,

will be assessed using epidemiological studies. Non-cancer health effects

will also be studied and initial research in FP7 will assess the feasibility of

establishing and monitoring a trans-national group of young children

who have received significant medical radiation doses. Overall, an

improved understanding of the mechanisms will be gained through

cellular and molecular biology research.

Medical uses The use of therapies (including nuclear medicine) and diagnostic tech-

niques employing ionising radiation is increasing. The safety and efficacy

of such practices must be monitored and improved and new technological

developments assessed to maintain the appropriate balance between

medical benefit and risk.

Initial research will look at methodologies to reduce patient exposure to

radiation but maintain or improve clinical information, as well as metho-

dologies to better assess and reduce the exposure of medical staff.

Improved methodologies will also be developed to assess and reduce

doses to peripheral tissues across all treatments, but in particular for

more advanced and innovative procedures.

In this way, key information will be acquired to form the basis for judgment-

making on the use of radiation in medicine. Quality criteria may also be

developed for use by the various standards authorities across Europe.

Emergency ManagementEurope has maintained a strong, cross-continent emergency system that

allows a unified and coordinated response to any nuclear emergency

within or outside the Community. During Euratom FP7 work will be

undertaken to further improve the coherence and integration of this

system including the characterisation of contamination and rehabilitation

of accidentally contaminated territory. This will involve the development

of common tools and strategies which will be tested in operational

environments.

In particular, the first steps will be made to develop a methodology foroptimising the design of monitoring systems that can make a timely

and effective impact on the decision-making process. This is especially

important as over the next decade many of the monitoring systems put

in place following the Chernobyl accident will require replacement or

upgrade.

Security threatsWith new security challenges facing society, there is a need to develop

robust and practical approaches in response to the malevolent use

of radiation or radioactive materials, in particular to minimise the impact

of nuclear and radiological terrorism. The Euratom programme will work

closely with the FP7 Cooperation Specific Programme on Security

to ensure complementarity and that expertise and experience acquiredin previous Euratom programmes is available to Security researchers.

Euratom FP7 will also be working to ensure that national research activities

in areas such as natural radiation, radioecology, environmental protection,

dosimetry, occupational exposure and risk governance are more effectively

integrated at the European level for the benefit of all.

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e s y o f I R S N

, F R

© C

o u r t e s y o f L e i d e n U n i v e r s i t y ,

N L



Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection in FP7Nuclear fission remains a viable option for those Member States wishing

to use this technology in a balanced mix of energy supplies. Research and

training activities are of paramount importance in ensuring continued

high levels of nuclear safety both now and in the future, maintaining the

progress towards implementation of sustainable waste management

solutions, and improving efficiency and competitiveness of the sector

as a whole. Research in radiation protection constitutes an essential

aspect of this policy, ensuring optimal safety of the public and workforce

in all medical and industrial applications.

For maximum effectiveness, a concerted approach at the EU level is

required with continued co-operation between Member States and

significant efforts to maintain infrastructures, competences and know-how.

Research must also explore new scientific and technological opportunities

and enable Europe to respond in a flexible way to new policy needs arising

during the course of the Framework Programme. Euratom FP7 seeks to

address all these challenges.

Many of the activities in Euratom FP7 will be a continuation of long-term

research supported in previous Community programmes. It will encourage

greater cross-fertilisation amongst the various thematic priorities of the

programme, with specific mention in the work programme of topics

that cut across the various themes. A typical example is research on

advanced materials for both waste transmutation technologies and

Generation IV reactors, where the challenges and problems are very similar.

In Euratom FP7, the Commission is keen to encourage enhanced inter-

national cooperation. This may be facilitated via existing or new bilateral

international R&D agreements with third countries, or on an ad hoc basis

at the level of project consortia. Third country partners would normally

be expected to participate using their own sources of funding.

A sustainable contributionNuclear power is the most significant European source of carbon-free

base-load electricity and is an important element in combating climate

change and minimising Europe’s dependence on imported energysources.

Advances in nuclear technology offer the prospect of significant improve-

ments in efficiency and use of resources, whilst ensuring even higher

safety standards with decreased production of waste compared to current

designs.

Nuclear safety remains, as always, the top priority. The European Union has

an outstanding nuclear safety record, however research must continue in

order to maintain this high level of safety and to understand better the

risks and hazards associated with the use of radiation in medicine and

industry. In all uses of radioactive materials, the overriding principle is to

protect citizens and the environment.

The European nuclear sector is characterised by cutting-edge technology

and provides highly skilled employment for several hundred thousand

people. To ensure our safety both now and in the future requires skilled

people and well-equipped nuclear research facilities. The availability of

these resources is a crucial prerequisite for maintaining safety no matter

what the future holds for the nuclear power sector.

The budget for research on Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection, not

including activities undertaken by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), for the

period 2007-2011 is just under€ 290 million (including administrative costs).

Technology platformsAs Euratom FP7 evolves, the aim is to establish European Technology

Platforms in appropriate fields across the programme. Technology

platforms bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to formulate

and implement common research agendas in strategic areas which could

have significant impact on Europe’s competitiveness and sustainability

objectives.

In other fields of R&D, technology platforms have a strong industry presence.

In the nuclear sector the same industry (or ‘implementer’) involvement is

important, and this will be complemented by the major nuclearresearch-orientated organisations and other stakeholders. Currently two

platforms are being planned: one covers all aspects of current and future

nuclear systems, including safety research, the fuel cycle, appropriate R&D

infrastructure and human resources; the second covers research, deve-

lopment and demonstration in the specific field of geological disposal of

radioactive waste.

Establishing these platforms would be a key step in the development of

a more effective R&D sector in the field of nuclear fission.

© C o u r t e s y o f A R E V A N P -

F r a m a t o m e ,

F R



The best equipmentResearch infrastructures are an essential part of research in nuclear and

radiological sciences and range from large, expensive laboratory complexes

to informatics tools such as numerical modelling platforms.

Support may cover design, refurbishment, construction and/or operation

of key infrastructures. This could include material test facilities and training

reactors, underground research laboratories and radiobiology facilities

and tissue banks. All are necessary to maintain high standards of technical

achievement, innovation and safety in the European nuclear sector.

Support for trans-national access to these infrastructures also ensures

maximum use of existing facilities.

New infrastructures may be supported where there is clear added value

from EU-level intervention. This is especially so if this can help establish

critical mass in a field of research or there is a need to replace aging, but

expensive facilities. However, the size of the Euratom fission budget limits

the support that can be given to major developments. Useful evaluation

of planned infrastructures is provided through the European Strategy

Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) process.

Infrastructures also have a crucial link with education and training

of scientists and engineers.

The best peopleAn adequate level of expertise and human resources needs to be main-

tained in all areas of nuclear fission and radiation protection in Europe.

Indeed, our current high level of nuclear safety is critically dependant on

retaining and recruiting people with the necessary scientific competence

and know-how.

To guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers, engineers

and technicians in the long-term, further development of scientific

competence and human capacity (for instance through joint training

activities) is necessary. Coordination between educational institutions

across the EU will be further improved and the training and mobility of

students and scientists facilitated.

Nuclear education and training schemes will be further harmonised

and extended to meet stakeholder needs in areas of reactor systems,

radioactive waste management and radiation protection. This will help to

provide attractive international opportunities for young people wanting

to enter the field. To support this, Euratom fission training schemes may

be organised in areas where gaps in training provision are perceived.

This truly pan-European approach will provide the incentives for a new

generation of nuclear scientists and engineers who will face tomorrow’s

scientific and technological challenges in an increasingly integrated

sector on behalf of Europe’s citizens.

For more information

DG Research: http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/fi/article_1121_en.htm

CORDIS: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/euratom/fission_en.html

Contacts

Europe Direct Enquiries Service: http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=enquiries

DG Research

European Commission

B-1049 Brussels

Belgium

Human resources and infrastructures

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Euratom Fp7 Fission Leaflet En