EUROPEAN COMMISSION RESEARCH DIRECTORATE-GENERAL Directorate J : ENERGY - EURATOM Unit 2 : Fission Generation IV reactor systems and fuel cycles (horizon 2030): technological breakthroughs in nuclear fission (int'l RD&DD) Georges VAN GOETHEM Innovation in Nuclear Fission, and Education & Training
[email protected] EC DG RTD J2, Brussels, May 2008 Generation IV International Forum (GIF, 2001) VHTR SFR GFR SCWR LFR MSR 1 ABSTRACT Euratom signed in 2006 the Framework Agreement of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). As a consequence, all Euratom actions in the area of innovative reactor systems are based on the four "Technology Goals for industry and society" set by the GIF: • sustainability: e.g. enhanced fuel utilisation and optimal waste management • economics: e.g. minimisation of costs of MWe installed and MWth generated • safety and reliability : e.g. robust safety architecture, enhanced EUR requirements • proliferation resistance and physical protection: e.g. impractical separation of Pu. To set the scene of Generation IV, the history of nuclear fission power is recalled with some discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of each previous Generation: • Generation I (1950 – 1970): Atoms-for-Peace era plants (4 countries concerned) • Generation II (1970 - 2000): safety and reliability (30 countries concerned) • Generation III (2000 - 2030): "evolutionary" steps to further improve safety (EUR) • Generation IV (horizon after 2030): "visionary" innovation regarding sustainability. Résumé Euratom a signé en 2006 l’Accord Cadre du GIF (« Generation IV International Forum »). Par conséquent, toutes les actions Euratom dans le domaine des systèmes réacteurs innovants sont basées sur les quatre «Objectifs technologiques pour l’industrie et la société»: • durabilité : par ex.