DISCOVER APRENDE

THE CONTEXT

Nuclear data is the foundation for safe and efficient applications in energy and beyond. The current trends in the development of nuclear technology in the EU is being shaped by:

Resurgence of Nuclear Start-ups and SMRs: The European nuclear industry is experiencing a renaissance, driven by the emergence of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and numerous innovative start-ups integrating digital technologies.
Strategic Autonomy in Nuclear Fuel: Due to geopolitical concerns, Europe emphasizes nuclear fuel strategic autonomy, aiming for self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production to enhance energy security.
Decarbonisation of Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Nuclear energy is seen as crucial to achieving the EU Green Deal and climate mitigation targets by 2030, especially in traditionally challenging sectors like steel, cement, petrochemicals, aluminum, aviation, concrete, shipping, and trucking, collectively responsible for around 30% of global emissions.
Role of Nuclear Hydrogen: There's significant potential in nuclear hydrogen production, particularly using High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs), for decarbonising industries such as steelmaking. HTGRs have already been implemented in some European countries and continue to be developed.
Circular Economy and Waste Management: Nuclear technology is being explored within the EU’s circular economy strategy, particularly to manage radioactive waste sustainably.
Nuclear Energy in Space: The EU is evaluating opportunities to become a key player in applying nuclear energy to space exploration and related activities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation: Rapid advancements in AI technology necessitate regulatory oversight for safety, and historical frameworks like the Euratom Treaty provide useful models for cooperative governance in contemporary technological challenges.
Attracting Young Talent: The sector requires continuous attraction and retention of skilled young professionals to sustain expertise and safely manage innovative nuclear technologies into the future.
Long-term Strategic Outlook: The EU emphasizes an anticipatory approach to nuclear policy, identifying mid-term (2033) and long-term (2053) threats and opportunities to guide future nuclear energy development.

APRENDE responds to the challenges and demands most of these fields, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of nuclear research and applications.

OBJECTIVES

APRENDE focuses on 8 objectives:

Conducting experiments to obtain new and improved nuclear data

Developing and improving detectors, experimental techniques, infrastructures, and data analysis methodologies

Evaluating available experimental nuclear data relevant for energy and non-energy applications, producing evaluated nuclear data files

Developing new infrastructure to produce isotopically enriched materials necessary for high quality nuclear data measurements.

Validating evaluated nuclear data files and realising new integral experiments.

Identifying new nuclear data priorities in various fields of application.

Supporting access to key experimental infrastructures to preserve expertise, enhance training, and share knowledge in nuclear data.

Assessing nuclear data competences, libraries, and tools in Europe and recommending strategic actions to strengthen Euratom’s capacities.

EXPECTED IMPACTS

APRENDE’s expected impacts include

Enhanced Experimental Capabilities: Improved accuracy in nuclear reaction and decay data through advanced equipment and infrastructure development.

Improved Nuclear Data Quality: More precise cross-sections, fission yields, and decay data will refine nuclear reaction models (e.g., TALYS, EMPIRE).

Increased Data Availability: New experimental setups will provide critical neutron cross-section data for various reactions, benefiting nuclear industry and research.

Isotopically Pure Samples: A dedicated isotope separator will enhance data quality and reduce experimental uncertainties in multiple applications (energy, medical, astrophysics).

Impact on Nuclear Systems: Findings will influence reactor design, shielding, fuel cycles, and integral experiment data libraries (ICSBEP).

Transnational Access & Collaboration: Researchers will gain access to neutron beam infrastructures, facilitating international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Education & Training: Hands-on experience for early-career researchers, including short-term visits, PhD involvement, and specialized training schools.

Publicly Accessible Data: Experimental results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and integrated into databases like EXFOR.

CHALLENGES

APRENDE seeks to address the following challenges related to nuclear data:

Attracting young talents and enhancing the training of scientists in Europe in the nuclear data field

Ensuring an efficient and safe management of nuclear radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel

Supporting the emergence of advanced reactor designs, including GenIV systems and Small Modular Reactors.

Supporting new applications in health, industry, and space exploration