Council Decision of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 to 2013) (2012/93/Euratom) (repealed)

ANNEX I SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES, THEMES AND ACTIVITIES

INTRODUCTION

The Framework Programme is organised in two parts corresponding to the ‘indirect’ actions on fusion energy research and nuclear fission and radiation protection, and the ‘direct’ research activities of the JRC.

I.A. FUSION ENERGY RESEARCH

Objective

Developing the knowledge base for, and realising ITER as a major step towards, the creation of prototype reactors for power stations that are safe, sustainable, environmentally responsible, and economically viable.

Rationale

Fusion has the potential to make a major contribution to the realisation of a sustainable and secure energy supply for the Union a few decades from now. Its successful development would provide energy which is safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The long-term goal of European fusion research, embracing all the fusion activities in the Member States and associated third countries, is the joint creation of prototype reactors for power stations which meet these requirements, and are economically viable.

The first priority of the strategy to achieve the long-term goal is the construction of ITER (a major experimental facility which will demonstrate the scientific and technical feasibility of fusion power), followed by the construction of a demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO). ITER construction will be accompanied by a focused programme of supporting R & D for ITER and limited activities on the technologies and physics required for DEMO.

The global dimension of fusion R & D is embodied in the Agreement of 21 November 2006 on the establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organisation for the joint implementation of the ITER project and the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Community for the Joint Implementation of the Broader Approach Activities in the Field of Fusion Energy Research(1).

International cooperation is also pursued within eight bilateral fusion Cooperation Agreements in force between the Community and third countries.

Activities

1. The realisation of ITER

This includes activities for the joint realisation of ITER, in particular governance of the ITER International Organisation and the European Joint Undertaking for ITER, management and staffing, general technical and administrative support, construction of equipment and installations and support for the project during construction.

2. R & D in preparation of ITER operation

A focused physics and technology programme will exploit the Joint European Torus (JET) and other ITER-relevant magnetic confinement devices. It will assess specific key ITER technologies, consolidate ITER project choices, and prepare for ITER operation.

3. Limited technology activities in preparation of DEMO

Fusion materials and key technologies for fusion will be further developed, and the work of the team preparing for the construction of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) will continue.

4. R & D activities for the longer term

There will be limited activities on improved concepts for magnetic confinement schemes (focused on the preparation for operation of the W7-X stellarator device), and theory and modelling aimed at a comprehensive understanding of fusion plasmas.

5. Human resources, education and training

In view of the immediate and medium term needs of ITER, and for the further development of fusion, initiatives aimed at training the ‘ITER Generation’, in terms of numbers, range of skills and high-level training and experience will be pursued.

6. Infrastructures

ITER will be a new research infrastructure with a strong European dimension.

7. Industry and technology transfer processes

New organisational structures are needed for swift transfer of innovations deriving from ITER to European industry. This will be a task of the Fusion Industry Innovation Forum which will develop a fusion technology roadmap and human resource development initiatives, with an emphasis on innovation and potential for providing new products and services.

I.B. NUCLEAR FISSION, SAFETY, AND RADIATION PROTECTION

Objective

Establishing a sound scientific and technical basis in order to accelerate practical developments for the safer management of long-lived radioactive waste, enhancing in particular the safety(2), while contributing to resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness of nuclear energy and ensuring a robust and socially acceptable system of protection of man and the environment against the effects of ionising radiation.

Rationale

Nuclear power constitutes an element in the debate on combating climate change and reducing Europe’s dependence on imported energy. In the broader context of finding a sustainable energy-mix for the future, the Framework Programme will also contribute through its research activities to the debate on the benefits and the limitations of nuclear fission energy for a low-carbon economy. Through ensuring even higher safety levels, more advanced nuclear technologies could also offer the prospect of significant improvements in efficiency and use of resources and producing less waste than current designs. Nuclear safety aspects will receive the greatest possible attention.

Efforts are still required to ensure a continuation of the Community’s outstanding safety record and the improvement of radiation protection continues to be a priority area. The key issues are operational reactor safety and management of long-lived waste, both of which are being addressed through continued work at the technical level, though allied political and societal inputs are also required. In all uses of radiation, throughout industry and medicine alike, the overriding principle is the protection of man and the environment. All thematic domains to be addressed here are characterised by an overriding concern to ensure high levels of safety.

Three major European cooperative initiatives in nuclear science and technology have been launched since the start of the Seventh Euratom Framework Programme. They are the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), the Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform (IGDTP) and the Multidisciplinary European Low-Dose Initiative (MELODI). The activities of both SNETP and IGDTP correspond very closely with strategic energy technology plan priorities, and a core group of SNETP organisations are responsible for implementing ESNII, the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative. They encompass activities within the scope of the Framework Programme, notably in so far as nuclear safety is concerned.

There is increasing interaction between SNETP, IGDTP and MELODI and other stakeholder forums at the Union level, such as the European Nuclear Energy Forum (ENEF) and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), and further synergies will be sought as appropriate through framework programme activities whilst recalling that the development of industrial products and services should be funded by the industry itself.

The Framework Programme is characterised by an overriding concern to promote high levels of safety, taking also into consideration the international context. It will also continue to support initiatives to ensure that facilities, training and training opportunities in Europe remain appropriate in view of current orientations of national programmes and in the best interests of the Union as a whole, in particular as regards nuclear safety and radiation protection. This, more than anything else, will ensure that an appropriate safety culture is maintained.

Activities

1. Management of ultimate radioactive waste

Implementation-oriented research activities on remaining key aspects of deep geological disposal of spent fuel and long-lived radioactive waste with, as appropriate, demonstration of the technologies and safety, and to underpin development of a common European view on the main issues related to waste management from discharge to disposal.

2. Reactor systems

Research to underpin the safe operation of all relevant reactor systems (including fuel cycle facilities) in use in Europe or, to the extent necessary in order to maintain broad nuclear safety expertise in Europe, those reactor types which may be used in the future, focusing exclusively on safety aspects, including all aspects of the fuel cycle such as partitioning and transmutation. Accompanying measures to contribute to the debate on a sustainable energy mix in Europe.

3. Radiation protection

Research, in particular on the risks from low doses, medical uses and the management of accidents, to provide a scientific basis for a robust, equitable and socially acceptable system of protection, taking also into consideration the benefits of the uses of radiation in medicine and industry.

4. Infrastructures

Support for the use and continued availability of, and cooperation between, key research infrastructures in the priority thematic areas above.

5. Human resources and training

Support for the retention and further development of scientific competence and human capacity in order to guarantee the availability of suitably qualified researchers, engineers and employees in the nuclear sector over the longer term.

II. NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES OF THE JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC)

Objective

The JRC Nuclear Specific Programme aims at satisfying the R & D obligations of the Treaty, with special emphasis on nuclear safety and radiation protection, and supporting both Commission and Member States in the fields of safeguards and non-proliferation, waste management, safety of nuclear installations and fuel cycle, radioactivity in the environment and radiation protection. The JRC shall further strengthen its role of a European reference for the dissemination of information, training and education for professionals and young scientists, notably in the areas of nuclear safety and security, and radiation protection.

Rationale

There is a clear need for developing knowledge, skills and competence to provide the required scientific state of the art independent and reliable expertise in support to the Union’s policies in the domains of nuclear reactor and fuel cycles safety, nuclear safeguards and security. The customer driven support to the Union’s policy underlined in the JRC’s mission will be complemented with a proactive role within the European Research Area in undertaking high quality research activities in close contact with industry and other bodies and developing networks with public and private institutions in the Member States.

Activities

1. Nuclear waste management and environmental impact will focus on reducing uncertainties and solving open issues in waste disposal, in order to develop effective solutions for the management of high level nuclear waste following the two major options (direct disposal or partitioning and transmutation). Activities will also be developed to enhance the understanding and modelling of the physics, chemistry and fundamental properties of actinide materials, and the database of high accuracy nuclear reference data, for nuclear energy and non-nuclear applications (e.g. medical). To extend the radiological protection effort, further development of environmental models of radioisotope dispersion coupled with monitoring tests in environmental radioactivity in support to the harmonisation of the national monitoring process and systems will be carried out.

2. Nuclear safety will contribute to the implementation of research on safety of fuel cycles, focusing predominantly on reactor safety of present reactors in the Union. Research will also address reactor safety of new innovative designs, safety and safeguard aspects of innovative fuel cycles, extended burn-up or of new types of fuels. It will also pursue the development of safety requirements and advanced evaluation methods for reactor systems of relevance to nuclear safety in Europe. In addition the JRC will coordinate the European contribution to the Generation IV International Forum R & D initiative, by acting as integrator and disseminating research in this area. Furthermore, it will provide scientific expertise regarding nuclear incidents and accidents.

3. Nuclear security, will further support the accomplishment of Community commitments, in particular development of methods for the control of the fuel cycle facilities, the implementation of the additional protocol including environmental sampling and integrated safeguards, and the prevention of the diversion of nuclear and radioactive materials associated with illicit trafficking of such materials including the nuclear forensics.

(1)

OJ L 246, 21.9.2007, p. 34.

(2)

Any nuclear security research activities are covered under heading II ‘Nuclear activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC)’.