Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary

Safe and Alternative VVER European Fuel

Project description

Increasing VVER nuclear fuel supply security

The interconnected grid network makes the security of VVER nuclear fuel supply crucial for countries with VVER-type reactors and for Europe as a whole. The EU-funded SAVE project aims to enhance VVER nuclear fuel supply security in Europe and Ukraine by developing a reliable and safer sovereign VVER-440 fuel design, establishing an expedited licensing process, and improving European VVER-440 fuel design qualification capabilities. Additionally, the project will prepare for in-reactor qualification through mutualised Lead Fuel Assemblies programmes, which will expedite design readiness for fuel reloads and lay the groundwork for entirely European manufacturing. The project also aims to address the requirements for Core Monitoring Systems and initiate further development steps.

Objective

The security of supply of VVER nuclear fuel has become and will remain of vital importance in countries operating VVER-type reactors, and due to the strongly interconnected European grid network, this is also instrumental for Europe as a whole. The aim of SAVE project is to strengthen VVER fuel security of supply in Europe and Ukraine by qualifying a reliable and safer sovereign VVER-440 fuel design, by developing a fast-track licensing path and improving European capabilities for VVER-440 fuel design qualification.
Through a strong European collaboration, a large qualification campaign will be performed within European test facilities to assess the performance of the new, safer and sovereign VVER-440 fuel assembly design. SAVE will prepare in-reactor qualification with mutualised LFAs (Lead Fuel Assemblies) programs, which will significantly accelerate design readiness for fuel reloads. SAVE will also define the plans to enable fully European manufacturing route and address the needs on Core Monitoring Systems, to initiate the next steps of development. To contribute to these objectives and increase the security of supply in Europe, the SAVE project is gathering 17 partners from 8 European countries, within a consortium composed of experienced and highly qualified European actors in nuclear fuel and VVER technologies, including nuclear utilities, TSOs, research entities, leading industrial actors and universities.

Coordinator

FRAMATOME
Net EU contribution
€ 1 546 656,25
Address
1 PLACE JEAN MILLIER TOUR AREVA
92400 Courbevoie
France

See on map

Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Hauts-de-Seine
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 3 093 312,50

Participants (16)