SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Europe accelerates the conversion of research reactors to low-enriched fuel

The European project EU-CONVERSION aims to develop new fuels to convert research reactors that currently use highly enriched uranium. This initiative, supported by scientific institutions and industry players, represents a key issue for nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

START NOW — 4.90$/month

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

SUBSCRIBE — 99$/year

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Sign up for free to unlock this article

The European Union has launched the EU-CONVERSION project, a €12.8 million initiative funded by the Horizon 2020 program. Its objective is to accelerate the conversion of high-performance research reactors to fuels using low-enriched uranium (LEU). This transition is deemed necessary to limit the risks associated with the proliferation of highly enriched uranium (HEU), which is still used in some facilities.

Research reactors under scrutiny

The project targets two strategic reactors in Europe: FRM-II in Germany and the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) in France, which is expected to begin operations in the 2030s. The FRM-II reactor, operated by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), currently runs on fuel enriched to more than 95% uranium-235. However, its operating license, granted in 2003, stipulates that it must transition to a lower-enriched fuel as soon as a viable alternative becomes available.

Fissile materials under testing

Two types of fuel are currently under study in this program: one based on uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) and another using uranium silicide (U2Si3). These materials will be subjected to extreme irradiation conditions at the BR2 research reactor of the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK-CEN). The tests, which include exposure to thermal fluxes exceeding 500 W/cm², will be conducted over multiple cycles lasting 55 to 75 days between 2027 and 2028.

A strategic European collaboration

EU-CONVERSION relies on the expertise of a consortium of academic and industrial players, including TUM, Framatome, the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), the Laue-Langevin Institute, and several other partners based in France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. The irradiation tests and subsequent analyses will extend until 2030, assessing the feasibility of adopting these new fuels.

A technical and economic challenge

While the conversion of research reactors presents a challenge due to their specific technical requirements, the stakeholders involved believe that the results obtained with the BR2 reactor will validate the safety and performance of the new fuels. According to Jared Wight, program manager at SCK-CEN, increasing thermal constraints during testing will be critical to ensuring reliability equivalent to that of current fuels.

Gradual adoption of new solutions

The EU-CONVERSION initiative is part of a global effort to reduce HEU use in civilian reactors. Several facilities have already transitioned, but some research reactors still require technological advancements due to their specific needs. Markus Blume, Bavaria’s Minister of Science, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to maintaining high scientific performance while adopting safer fuels.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Iberdrola adds 708 MW of solar capacity to joint venture with Norges Bank
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
TotalEnergies sells Norwegian oil assets to Vår Energi to reduce debt
United States: Senate confirms two nominees, shifting FERC to Republican majority
Cenovus raises offer for MEG Energy to $29.80 per share with new mixed structure
Arkansas commissions Excel Services for study on state’s nuclear future
Arkansas has appointed Excel Services to analyse the economic, technological and logistical outlook of a new nuclear programme, with results expected within ten months.
Belgium approves nuclear waste storage extension at Dessel
Operator Belgoprocess has received authorisation to build a new facility to store waste generated from the ongoing decommissioning of Belgium’s nuclear reactors.
United Kingdom opens public consultation on Rolls-Royce modular reactor
The British government has launched a consultation on the regulatory justification request for Rolls-Royce’s modular reactor, a decisive step towards its approval in the country’s nuclear market.
GVH and Samsung C&T seal global alliance for BWRX-300 reactors
GVH and Samsung C&T join forces to accelerate international deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors, with a strong focus on Sweden and the consolidation of the nuclear supply chain.
Sweden prepares compensation framework to secure nuclear investments
The Swedish government aims to establish a right to compensation for operators if a political reversal leads to the early shutdown of nuclear plants, in a move to reduce investment risks.
Duke Energy plans new 1,117 MW nuclear reactor by 2037
Duke Energy adds a large nuclear reactor project to its 2025 plan for the Carolinas, anticipating electricity demand more than twice previous forecasts.
Arabelle Solutions secures contract for Sizewell C turbines
EDF has selected Arabelle Solutions to supply two complete turbine islands for the Sizewell C nuclear power plant, strengthening their industrial cooperation initiated at Hinkley Point C.
Rome launches legislative process to reintegrate nuclear energy into its mix
The Italian government has approved a bill granting the executive authority to regulate the return of nuclear energy, in line with European carbon neutrality and energy security targets for 2050.
Framatome launches dedicated line for military nuclear propulsion in Jeumont
Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission have commissioned a specialised industrial line in Jeumont for the manufacturing of nuclear components used in French Navy vessels.
Terra Innovatum signs two strategic agreements to accelerate deployment of its modular reactor
Italian company Terra Innovatum is advancing the commercialisation of its SOLO micro-reactor, with two new partnerships and $42.5mn in funding as part of a merger with a listed company.
Orano, Navoiyuran and ITOCHU launch uranium mining at South Djengeldi site
The Nurlikum Mining joint venture enters a new industrial phase with the launch of the South Djengeldi project, targeting annual production of 500 tonnes of uranium over ten years in Uzbekistan.
Russian strike cuts power to Chernobyl site, reigniting nuclear safety concerns
The containment structure over Chernobyl’s destroyed reactor lost power after a Russian strike, as Zaporizhzhia remains cut off from external electricity for over a week.
U.S. uranium purchases reach 55.9 million pounds in 2024
Uranium deliveries to U.S. civilian operators rose 8% in 2024, while the average price climbed to its highest level since 2012, according to the latest available data.
Medvedev announces the rise of public investment in nuclear and AI
The Vice-Chairman of Russia’s Security Council believes more countries will develop nuclear weapons and generative AI technologies as a result of increasing public sector efforts.
Orano wins legal case in uranium dispute over Somaïr site
An international tribunal ruled in favour of French company Orano against the State of Niger, which had blocked the sale of uranium extracted from the Arlit mine since taking control of the site in 2023.
Oklo and Blykalla form transatlantic alliance on modular reactor development
US-based Oklo and Sweden’s Blykalla join forces to coordinate supply chains and regulatory data sharing to accelerate the commercial deployment of their metal-cooled small modular reactors.
EDF to invest €25bn to strengthen nuclear capacity by 2030
EDF plans a massive €25bn ($26.5bn) investment to modernise its nuclear fleet, focusing on reactor lifetime extension and preparing for new nuclear projects in France.
EDF nuclear costs kept under control until 2028 according to CRE
The French Energy Regulatory Commission set the full nuclear cost at €60.3/MWh by 2026, outlining the taxation thresholds applicable under the market reform scheduled for 2026.
Bulgaria begins talks for the deployment of small modular reactors
The Ministry of Energy will initiate talks with developers of small nuclear reactors after signing a cooperation agreement with the United States to conduct preliminary studies on their deployment.
EDF pushes back Flamanville EPR restart to 17 October
The restart of the Flamanville EPR reactor, initially scheduled for 1 October, has been delayed by more than two weeks due to a maintenance operation on the primary circuit.