1. Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform – SNETP
Jozef Misak, Director for Strategy, NRI Rez
Fourth NEA Information Exchange Meeting on Nuclear Production of Hydrogen
April 2009
Oak Brook, IL, USA

2. Objective of the presentation
Introducing Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP)
its vision
membership
modes of operation
established working groups
current status of the work
estimated schedule of implementation
connection with non-electric applications of nuclear power

3. Nuclear Research Institute Rez

4. NRI Rez - EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES
Qualification of NPP cables
Comparison experiment vs FLUENT analysis (PANDA facility)
Display of NPP Temelín MCR
Digitalised as-built NPP Temelín
Lay-out of a deep geological repository
Temperature field at R outlet at MCP start-up
Demonstration bitumenation unit
Operation of Pb-Bi loop
Welding for spent fuel repacking
Dynamic analyses of in pipes
PET Centre hospital
Fossil plant Ledvice 660 MW

5. The European context Energy Policy for Europe: 20, 20, 20 by 2020
20% reduction in GHG (compared to 1990)
20% renewable energies in energy mix,
20% reduction in energy consumption
On the longer term vision for low carbon society by 2050, the EC technology breakthroughs are needed and these are identified in the Strategic Energy Technology Plan
Europe has recently rightly acknowledged the role nuclear energy plays for a sustainable energy mix by listing it as one key low-carbon technology in the SET Plan

6. Nuclear energy in EU
There are 145 nuclear reactors in operation in 15 out of 27 EU countries, with installed power ~ 131,5 GWe
Nuclear contribution to EU electricity production is ~ 31 %
Reduction in CO2 emissions by ~900 Mton, i.e. equivalent to emissions from whole transport sector in EU
Reduction in import of natural gas by ~190 Mton, i.e. equivalent ~ 80 % of the total import of the gas to EU-27
Nuclear energy shows the best safety track-record compared to all other types of plants

7. Contribution of nuclear energy to sustainable European energy mix
CO2 emissions must be cut by 50%-80% by 2050 to limit the world temperature average increase to 2° (IPCC), but the world energy demand may double by this date
Europe’s electricity system must prove sustainable by ensuring altogether a secure fuel and electricity supply, decreasing CO2 emissions and stable and affordable prices for consumers
Renewable energies, energy efficiency and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) cannot alone achieve such a massive CO2 reduction in a sustainable manner, especially regarding stable prices and secure electricity supply. In consequence a nuclear share in the EU mix of at least 30% is required until 2050

8. Contribution of nuclear energy to sustainable European energy mix
Fusion will not replace fission. Even in a best case where fusion reactors would be industrially deployable from 2070, generation IV reactors will keep on operating. Therefore, fission research cannot be put into competition with fusion research programmes.
Known global uranium resources can cover a hundred years under current conditions and they are distributed worldwide in stable countries. These resources would last for thousands of years when considering future fast neutron reactors.
Uranium price has little impact on generation costs of current and future nuclear power plants
Decommissioning techniques are available and proven in operations already performed

9. Contribution of nuclear energy to sustainable European energy mix
Technical solutions exist already for managing and recycling spent fuel and nuclear waste
Generation IV and new fuel cycle systems will further diminish the nuclear waste legacy by decreasing its radioactive inventory, lifetime, thermal load and volume
Nuclear energy has other promising applications than electricity, such as low-cost mass hydrogen production
Nuclear can significantly contribute to enhancing the sustainability of Europe’s energy mix as the largest low-carbon energy source and as a safe and competitive electricity generation source with a secure fuel supply

10. What is Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP)?
SNETP is a Europe-wide forum gathering stakeholders sharing the same vision: from nuclear industry, research centres, technical safety organisations, universities, etc.
SNETP overall goal is to enhance the sustainability of nuclear fission by supporting technological development.
SNETP members are convinced that nuclear fission can contribute to a sustainable energy mix (low greenhouse gases emissions, security of supply, stable electricity prices); research is though necessary to enhance further its sustainability

11. A collective vision, endorsers and contributors – currently 67 organizations sharing the same vision
This slide gives you an overview of the contributors to the Vision Report of the platform, which is available at the desk of the forum, or on the web site of the platform, .

12. European vision on sustainable nuclear power The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (Launched 21 Sept. 2007, currently nearly 70 organizations)

13. Vision of the SNETP
Actions required for ensuring sustainability of nuclear:
Maintain safety and competitiveness of today’s reactor technologies (Gen II and Gen III reactors)
Develop Gen IV fast breeders with closed fuel cycle
Enlarge the nuclear fission portfolio beyond electricity production: H2, synthetic fuels (2nd generation biofuels, coal to liquid, H2O desalination, paper, cement

14. Necessary steps towards sustainability
European vision of sustainable nuclear power– Progress to sustainability
Necessary steps towards sustainability
Live time extension of current NPPs
Replacement of current reactors by Gen III by 2020 and Gen IV fast reactors by
A transition phase is necessary between current reactors and GEN IV systems.
Gen. III

17. Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP)
Kick-off meeting : September 21, 2007
SNE-TP Objectives & Organization (

18. Operations of the SNETP
It is based on voluntary information provided by individual members (e.g. organisations) or groups of members (e.g. FP project consortia)
The Platform develops the Strategic Research Agenda and the Deployment Strategy and monitors their implementation.
The Platform provides a basis for dissemination of information on nuclear related research at EU level
It fosters new research required to reach the objectives of sustainable nuclear energy through available funding tools (FP, national, bilateral projects)
It initiates special research projects e.g. very large “infrastructure” projects (Joint Technology Initiatives) and addresses associated funding and legal issues

19. Operating structure of SNE-TP
Secretariat

20. Short and medium term deliverables of the SNETP
Strategic Research Agenda: research programme, performance targets, priorities, timelines and budget needs for industry and publicly funded research and development;
Deployment Strategy: implementation of the SRA, demonstration and deployment projects up to prototypes, measures for enhancing networking of the R&D capacity in Europe, ways for leveraging public and private investment in R&D;
Knowledge Management and Training Strategy: ensuring that knowledge and experience is properly maintained and used, and that the transfer of knowledge between generations is properly ensured;
Strategy on Funding Mechanisms: including public-private partnerships leading to commercialisation of technologies;
A policy interface: promoting interaction between the Platform and political institutions and policy makers, e.g. through the European Nuclear Energy Forum;
a strategy to develop and implement cooperation with other European Technology Platforms and co-operation at international level.

21. Strategic Research Agenda
The document has been finalized in March 2009, passed through public consultations, now ready for publication
More than 160 scientists, engineers, researchers from more than 60 institutions contributed to this work
Strategic Research Agenda covers:
R&D for current & evolutionary LWR
Advanced fuel processing
Gen IV Fast Neutron Reactors & closed fuel cycle
V(HTR) & other non-electric applications
Cross-cutting issues (materials, simulation, safety, actinide science)

22. SNETP Road Map for Gen IV Fast Reactors

23. : Development of the HTR/VHTR coupling with industrial process heat

24. Strategic Research Agenda
SNE-TP
Nuclear Forum
Deployment strategy
Policies
Funding
Harmonisation of regulatory framework for existing & new technologies (certification)
Other “enablers”
Euratom FP
National R&D programmes
Bilateral / multi-lateral Programmes
International programmes
R&D tools including research infrastructures
Training & education of EU workforce
Construction of technology demonstration facilities & industrial prototypes
Industrial Deployment

25. Interactions of SNETP with other TPs & International initiatives

26. Web-site & member work-space
(members only)

27. Thank you!