As governments and industry are increasingly looking at nuclear power as an important part of a low-carbon energy mix, it is crucial to be able to assess the safety of different reactor designs and fuels.
Digital modelling enhances safety while saving time and financial resources. It complements experimental data, allowing researchers to describe and predict the behaviour of complex systems under different conditions. For example, scientists can generate digital copies of nuclear applications to study how a reactor design would behave in a critical scenario.
A new hub to bridge modelling and laboratory data
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) launched today a modelling hub that will provide European stakeholders with reliable nuclear modelling and data. The new hub builds on the JRC’s unique strengths, matching advanced computing tools with decades of expertise in nuclear research. It combines different kinds of data to ensure robust evaluation of both nuclear safety and energy policies.
The modelling hub aims to help Europe’s nuclear industry develop and deploy applications such as Small Modular Reactors, which may contribute to decarbonising the EU’s economy and heavy industry in particular. The hub is also a useful tool for policy, as it serves as a centralised platform to support designing and assessing European policies at the intersection between energy, environment and economy.
