Euratom Framework Programme research in reactor safety: main achievements of FP-4 ('94-'98), preliminary results of FP-5 ('98-'02) and prospects for beyond 2002

In this paper an overview is given of the most important aspects of the res earch activities organised by the European Union (EU) in the area of reacto r safety under both the past 4th and the current 5th Euratom Framework Prog rammes (FP). This research consists of the following four areas: reactor sa fety; waste management; future systems; and radiation protection. Under FP- 4 ('94-'98), the particular area of reactor safety focused on was 'Severe A ccident Analysis', whereas under FP-5 ('98-'02) it focused on 'Operational Safety of Existing Installations'. In Section 1, a short description is giv en of the 'nuclear needs' in the EU and the main stakeholders of nuclear fi ssion research (i.e. regulatory and industry organisations), faced with new targets (e.g. minimisation of operating and environmental costs in a dereg ulated market) and new feedbacks (e.g. public perception of reactor safety and acceptance of the waste issue). In Section 2, a brief description is gi ven of the main facts of FP-4 and FP-5 with emphasis on the clustering appr oach of research projects in the same field. In Sections 3-9, attention is drawn to a series of technical and socio-economical facts of interest to re gulatory and industry organisations (i.e. mainly utilities and vendors). Th ey are the main end-users of the results of international nuclear fission r esearch, financed by either governments, industries or Euratom. The followi ng 'nuclear needs' have been identified at EU level and are proposed for di scussion: to ensure flexibility in energy supply by keeping the nuclear opt ion open; to contribute to health and safety as well as to non-proliferatio n by better co-ordination of European research and training activities; to maintain industrial competitiveness by preparing the next generation of rea ctors; to maintain broad nuclear expertise for non-energetic applications; to develop sustainable solutions for fuel cycle management and waste dispos al (emphasis on front-end issues); to share the same nuclear safety culture amongst the EU and the applicant Central and Eastern European Countries (C EECs); and finally, to improve the impact of Euratom research actions by en hancing their public benefit and their added European value. In Section 1, a brief overview is given of the European response offered under FP-4 and F P-5-in terms of co-operative research in reactor safety-as a response to so me of the,nuclear needs'. As far as the future beyond 2002 is concerned, th e challenge to Euratom research is to reorganise itself in line with the Eu ropean Research Area concept (ERA), using the proposed tools, for example, by developing networks of excellence, bringing together private and public resources. Finally conclusions are drawn on the main achievements of framew ork programme research hitherto and on new stakeholders in European researc h in the 'changing world'. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserve d.