Safety of light water small modular reactors (LW-SMRs)

Closed

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Euratom Research and Training Programme

Programme Description

The Euratom Research and Training programme has the following specific objectives:

  • improve and support nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radiation protection, safe spent fuel and radioactive waste management and decommissioning, including the safe and secure use of nuclear power and of non-power applications of ionising radiation
    maintain and further develop expertise and competence in the nuclear field within the community
  • foster the development of fusion energy as a potential future energy source for electricity production and contribute to the implementation of the European fusion roadmap
  • support the policy of the EU and its members on continuous improvement of nuclear safety, safeguards and security
Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-02

Call

Safety of light water small modular reactors (LW-SMRs)

Summary

There is growing interest in some EU Member States in using small modular reactors (SMRs) for flexible power generation. This provides the opportunity of cogeneration and enables hybrid energy systems that integrate nuclear and renewables.
Research proposals should address safety aspects on integration of LW-SMRs in the hybrid energy system, including the evaluation of optimal electric grid management and safety by design.

Detailed Call Description

SMRs are defined as power reactors up to 300 MWe, whose components can be factory-made and transported as modules for installation. There is consensus within the international expert community that SMRs, when compared to large power plants, offer potential advantages in terms of design simplification and inherent safety features, while posing some new challenges with regard to safety, security and safeguards.

Research proposals should also address some LW-SMR safety specificities such as:

  • core/fuel (including fuel qualification);
  • nuclear steam supply system integrated vessel and its internals;
  • demonstration of natural circulation passive safety systems also in transient conditions;
  • streamlined harmonised licensing;
  • severe accident analysis;
  • emergency preparedness and response;
  • human and environmental radiation protection;
  • safety, security and safeguard interfaces from the early design stage;
  • modularity, human factors and hybridisation/(co)generation of heat/H2 production/desalination.

Call Total Budget

€15.00 million

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

70%

Expected EU contribution per project: €15.00 million

Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is €60 000.

Approximate number of proposals: 1

Thematic Categories

  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation

Eligibility for Participation

  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions

Eligibility For Participation Notes

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding.

Call Opening Date

04/04/2023

Call Closing Date

08/11/2023

EU Contact Point

Contact:   RTD-EURATOM@ec.europa.eu

(Publish Date: 05/04/2023-for internal use only)