Abstract

The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Research and Training framework programmes are benefitting from a consistent success in pursuing excellence in research and facilitating Pan European collaborative efforts across a broad range of nuclear science and technologies, nuclear fission and radiation protection. To fulfil Euratom R&D programmes key objectives of maintaining high levels of nuclear knowledge and building a more dynamic and competitive European industry, promotion of Pan-European mobility of researchers are implemented by co-financing transnational access to research infrastructures and joint research activities through Research and Innovation and Coordination and Support Actions' funding schemes. Establishment by the research community of European technology platforms are being capitalised. Mapping of research infrastructures and E&T capabilities is allowing a closer cooperation within the European Union and beyond, benefiting from multilateral international agreements and from closer cooperation between Euratom, OECD/NEA, IAEA and international fora. ‘Euratom success stories' in facilitating Pan-European E&T collaborative efforts through Research and Training framework programmes show the benefits of research efforts in key fields, of building an effective ‘critical mass’ and implementing European MSc curricula, of promoting the creation of ‘Centre of Excellence’ with an increased support for ‘Open access to key research infrastructures’, exploitation of research results, management of knowledge, dissemination and sharing of learning outcomes.

Highlights

  • Introduction to the European landscapeNuclear power plants (NPP) currently provide 30% of the overall European electricity generated and 15% of the primary energy consumed in the European Union

  • In 2016, 126 NPPs are in operation in Europe, representing a total installed electrical capacity of 137 GWe and a gross electricity generation of around 850 TWh per year

  • Nuclear fission is a major contributor already today as a low-carbon technology in the Energy Union’s strategy to reduce its fossil fuel dependency and to fulfil its 2020/2030/2050/ COP21 energy and climate policy objectives [1]; the sector is currently facing several challenges: (a) one concerns the plans of most EU Member States (MS) to extend the design lifetime of their nuclear power plants; (b) other countries, such as France, Finland, Czech Republic, Hungary and the UK, are planning new builds; (c) while others, like Germany, are either considering or have excluded nuclear energy from their energy mix for ; (d) a bigger share of renewables should be fostered at European level; and (e) fierce international competition is

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Summary

Introduction

Introduction to the European landscapeNuclear power plants (NPP) currently provide 30% of the overall European electricity generated and 15% of the primary energy consumed in the European Union.

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