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Towards Optimized Use of Research Reactors in Europe

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Securing a future role for non-power reactors

Europe has a broad and very diverse landscape of nuclear research reactors (RRs). These are non-power nuclear reactors that serve as a neutron source, and they are used for research and training, materials testing and the production of radioisotopes for medicine. Many of these RRs have been in operation 30-50 years. While maintenance and regular upgrading has been necessary, financial pressure has resulted in the closure of many RRs. The EU-funded TOURR project will investigate the decreasing number of RRs. It will identify future needs and design a roadmap for the upgrading of existing RRs. The project’s overall goal is to evaluate related needs, develop tools to optimise the RRs, and raise awareness amongst decision-makers about their future role in European research and development.

Objective

Nuclear research reactors (RR) have been constructed in countries implementing nuclear power plants and used in experiments necessary to develop commercial reactors and training programmes. Neutron irradiations have found new applications in the adaption and production of existing and new materials, including medical radioisotopes. The latter enabled development of new diagnosis and treatment techniques, for the benefit of millions of patients. Europe has a broad and very diverse landscape of RRs, many of them 30-50 years in operation, well maintained and regularly upgraded. Yet financial pressure, caused by combination of declining interest and the absence of a sound financial model, led to closure of many of them ( e.g OSIRIS in Saclay) and a few others will close soon (e.g. BER2 in Berlin). On the other hand, only one RR is now being constructed – the Jules Horowitz Reactor. Those negative trends call for a coordinated European action to assess the impact of the decreasing number of RRs, identify future needs (including new neutron sources), draw a roadmap for upgrade of the existing RR fleet, and a model for harmonized resource management.

TOURR project is a response to this challenge. Its primary objective is to develop a strategy for RR in Europe and prepare the ground for its implementation. This strategic goal can be divided into specific objectives:
(1) Assessment of the current status of European RR fleet, including plans for upgrade;
(2) Evaluation of urgent EU needs;
(3) Developing tools for optimal use of RR fleet,
(4) Rising awareness among decision makers on the (future) role of RRs.
The ambition of TOURR project is to secure access and availability of RRs as a vital part of the European Research Area and to support stable supply of medical radioisotopes.

Fields of science

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

NFRP-2019-2020

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Funding Scheme

CSA - Coordination and support action

Coordinator

EUROPEAN NUCLEAR EDUCATION NETWORK
Net EU contribution
€ 376 250,00
Address
EGMONTSTRAAT 11
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium

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Region
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale/Arr. Brussel-Hoofdstad
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 376 250,00

Participants (8)

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Last update: 1 April 2024

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/945269

European Union, 2024