Maintaining Europe’s nuclear competitiveness, safely
Nuclear energy is a major source of low-carbon energy. The safe operation of existing and future nuclear power plants is vital for all.
The JRC provides independent, technical and scientific support to facilitate the development, demonstration, and deployment of innovative nuclear technologies, notably on Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
Its nuclear work supports the relevant policy DGs and the new European Industrial Alliance on SMRs that was launched in 2024. The JRC ensures the EU remains competitive and a key active partner in nuclear international cooperation.
2024 marked a year of increased collaboration with JRC, driven by the goal to accelerate Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology development. The JRC’s contribution to advanced reactor deployment leverages their top-tier nuclear infrastructure and expertise to generate safety-critical data for reactor licensing and advancing the associated fuel cycle.
Supports the safe and secure deployment of SMRs
Small Modular Reactors have the potential to help EU countries decarbonise their energy systems. SMRs are presented as a safe nuclear energy option due to their enhanced safety features, the use of passive systems, modular designs, and the "3S by design” principle: safety, security, and safeguards early at the design stage. These aspects are central to SMR designs, ensuring robust accident prevention, reduced radioactive risk, and protection against misuse or sabotage. Licensing and regulatory approval of SMRs require stringent safety assessments and adherence to international standards.
The JRC plays a critical role in evaluating SMR safety claims by providing simulation tools and data for advanced fuels, conducting independent analyses, verifying performance metrics, and assessing compliance with EU safety frameworks. The JRC also fosters collaboration among member states, ensuring that SMRs meet the highest safety and sustainability standards. These efforts aim at strengthening public trust and regulatory confidence, paving the way for the broader safe deployment of SMRs in the global energy mix in Europe and worldwide.
Contributes to the European industrial alliance on SMRs
With the aim of accelerating the development, demonstration and deployment of concrete SMR projects in Europe, the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs was launched in 2024. The JRC is a fully recognised partner of the SMR Industrial Alliance, alongside 3 other DGs: ENER, RTD and Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW).
As part of the governing board, the JRC supports the SMR Industrial Alliance through its active participation in the general secretariat and in different Technical Working Groups, to help establish the strategic action plan and technology roadmaps towards safe deployment of SMRs across Europe.
Dr. Bertrand Morel from Orano Group, a member of the SMR Industrial Alliance, explains in his quote the JRC’s important contribution to the safe development of innovative reactor systems, including Molten Salt Reactors (MSR) and other SMRs.
Sustains international nuclear cooperation
Finally, the EU has in place long-standing agreements for cooperation with international organisations covering nuclear safety. The JRC maintains a link with the most relevant international organisations in nuclear safety, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency and the Generation IV International Forum.
It also contributes to drafting and reviewing the IAEA's nuclear safety standards collection and guideline documents for advanced reactors such as SMRs to ensure maximised safety from the start of the design phase.