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European collaborations

Nuclear energy


​Learn about the main European bodies and infrastructures to which the CEA contributes in the field of nuclear energy.

Published on 22 November 2019

​Optimising the current nuclear sector

European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) - NUGENIA

The CEA is actively involved in the European sustainable nuclear energy technology platform - known as SNETP - which sets out to breathe new impetus into European research in the nuclear energy sector. The CEA is a member of the international non-profit association called NUGENIA (Nuclear Generation II & III), one of the pillars of SNETP. This association is focused on structuring R&D in civil nuclear energy (3rd and 4th generation reactors) in Europe. One of its objectives is to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of nuclear power plants by simplifying cooperation between its members (industry players, research organisations, universities and safety authorities). It provides a solid scientific and technical 'starting block' by initiating and supporting international projects and programmes.


Materials for the nuclear industry

EERA joint programme on nuclear materials

The CEA is a very active member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which includes governance responsibilities. This association has the objective of strengthening and developing Europe's research capabilities in the field of sustainable energy. The CEA is actively involved in EERA's joint programme on nuclear materials which aims at steering the European community to converge on integrated research activities. The work programme is focusing on identifying top-priority research topics to support the development and optimisation of sustainable nuclear energy systems, while defining an efficient framework for collaboration wherein the resources and skills available in Europe are coordinated and exploited under optimal conditions.


Thermonuclear fusion

ITER

The international project called ITER is at the centre of research on thermonuclear fusion, which brings together the European Union, Russia, the US, Japan, China, South Korea and India. Under construction at Cadarache, this tokamak is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of using thermonuclear fusion to generate power. In the Bouches-du-Rhone department in the south of France, 35 countries are working together to build the largest tokamak ever designed. This machine must demonstrate that fusion - the energy that powers the sun and stars - can be used on a large scale to generate carbon-free electricity. The results of the ITER scientific programme will play a decisive role in the final decision to build commercial fusion power plants in the future.


FUSENET

The CEA is active member of the FUSENET association which advocates and coordinates nuclear fusion education in Europe through a network developed to help implement fusion education and research programmes.


Future reactors (Generation IV)

European Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP)- ESNII

The CEA is actively involved in the European sustainable nuclear energy technology platform - known as SNETP - which sets out to breathe new impetus into European research in the nuclear energy sector. It plays a key role in the European sustainable nuclear industrial initiative - known as ESNII - for Generation IV technologies. The main objective of ESNII is to support the construction and operation of the fourth-generation sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) demonstrator called ASTRID and the flexible fast-spectrum irradiation facility called MYRRHA. The lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) demonstrator called ALFRED and its gas-cooled counterpart (GFR) called ALLEGRO also share the same roadmap.


Jules Horowitz research reactor (JHR)

JHR international project

With the CEA as project owner and nuclear operator of the facility, the JHR project brings together two French industrial partners (EDF and AREVA), the European Commission and the following foreign research organisations within an international consortium: Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, India, Israel, Sweden and Great Britain. In exchange for their financial support, the consortium members have secured rights to use the JHR experimental capabilities to carry out their own research on the behaviour of materials under irradiation.


Radiobiology and radiation protection

Multidisciplinary European Low Dose Initiative (MELODI)

Within the scope of research on radiation, the CEA is taking part in the European multidisciplinary initiative called MELODI devoted to research on low doses. The objectives of MELODI are to recommend top-priority research & technology actions on a European level after having consulted the key players in the field, as well as to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge on low doses.


European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS)

The CEA is one of the 50 European institutes that belongs to the European network called EURADOS devoted to radiation dosimetry. This network coordinates working groups, organises scientific meetings and training sessions, and conducts benchmarking exercises for individual internal and external exposure monitoring, retrospective dosimetry, environmental monitoring, diagnostics & interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and computer techniques for dosimetry.


Implementing Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste Technology Platform (IGDTP)

The CEA is involved in the Implementing Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste Technology Platform (IGDTP) which is devoted to long-term research on the disposal of high-level waste in Europe. This platform was set up by the European Council and is investigating all the main issues related to the deep geological disposal of long-lived radioactive waste and spent fuels.


Cross-functional activities in the field of nuclear energy

European Energy Forum (EEF)

The CEA is a member of the European Energy Forum (EEF). The main goal of this association is to facilitate discussions and European parliamentary actions dealing with energy issues while respecting the different policy options and enabling an open-minded process for discussion and debate.


KIC InnoEnergy

The CEA is one of the founding members of InnoEnergy, a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC). This KIC was created under the impetus of the European Institute of Technology (EIT). The strategy of KIC InnoEnergy is to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of sustainable energy. It focuses on three key areas of innovation: 1) education by developing and financing initial and vocational training; 2) support and investment in start-ups to develop sustainable businesses; and 3) funding of collaborative European projects driving innovation and leading to commercially viable outcomes with return on investment for KIC InnoEnergy. The CEA is actively involved in the French colocation centre of this KIC based in Grenoble which deals with issues of energy efficiency, sustainable nuclear energy and convergence with renewable energy.


European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN)

The CEA is involved in the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN). This network aims to protect and develop know-how and a high level of training in the nuclear sector via cooperative programmes between European universities. One of its objectives is to develop a more harmonised approach to nuclear sciences in Europe while guaranteeing the quality of the courses taught.