IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i5p1845-d762644.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Materials for Sustainable Nuclear Energy: A European Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for All Reactor Generations

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Malerba

    (Division of Energy Materials, Technology Department, CIEMAT, Avda. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Abderrahim Al Mazouzi

    (EDF Lab. Les Renardières, Department of Materials and Mechanics of Components, 1, Avenue des Renardières–Ecuelles, CEDEX, 77818 Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne, France)

  • Marjorie Bertolus

    (Atomic and Alternative Energy Commission, CEA, DEs, IRESNE, DEC/SESC, 13108 Saint-Paul-Lez-Durance, France)

  • Marco Cologna

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Karlsruhe, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany)

  • Pål Efsing

    (Ringhals AB/NUQ, 432 58 Väröbacka, Sweden)

  • Adrian Jianu

    (Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany)

  • Petri Kinnunen

    (Nuclear Energy, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02044 Espoo, Finland)

  • Karl-Fredrik Nilsson

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 1755 LE Petten, The Netherlands)

  • Madalina Rabung

    (Fraunhofer-Institute for Nondestructive Testing (IZFP), Campus E3 1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany)

  • Mariano Tarantino

    (Innovative Projects Section, Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, ENEA, Brasimone, 40032 Camugnano, BO, Italy)

Abstract

Nuclear energy is presently the single major low-carbon electricity source in Europe and is overall expected to maintain (perhaps eventually even increase) its current installed power from now to 2045. Long-term operation (LTO) is a reality in essentially all nuclear European countries, even when planning to phase out. New builds are planned. Moreover, several European countries, including non-nuclear or phasing out ones, have interests in next generation nuclear systems. In this framework, materials and material science play a crucial role towards safer, more efficient, more economical and overall more sustainable nuclear energy. This paper proposes a research agenda that combines modern digital technologies with materials science practices to pursue a change of paradigm that promotes innovation, equally serving the different nuclear energy interests and positions throughout Europe. This paper chooses to overview structural and fuel materials used in current generation reactors, as well as their wider spectrum for next generation reactors, summarising the relevant issues. Next, it describes the materials science approaches that are common to any nuclear materials (including classes that are not addressed here, such as concrete, polymers and functional materials), identifying for each of them a research agenda goal. It is concluded that among these goals are the development of structured materials qualification test-beds and materials acceleration platforms (MAPs) for materials that operate under harsh conditions. Another goal is the development of multi-parameter-based approaches for materials health monitoring based on different non-destructive examination and testing (NDE&T) techniques. Hybrid models that suitably combine physics-based and data-driven approaches for materials behaviour prediction can valuably support these developments, together with the creation and population of a centralised, “smart” database for nuclear materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Malerba & Abderrahim Al Mazouzi & Marjorie Bertolus & Marco Cologna & Pål Efsing & Adrian Jianu & Petri Kinnunen & Karl-Fredrik Nilsson & Madalina Rabung & Mariano Tarantino, 2022. "Materials for Sustainable Nuclear Energy: A European Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for All Reactor Generations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-48, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:5:p:1845-:d:762644
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/5/1845/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/5/1845/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. T. Muroga & J.M. Chen & V.M. Chernov & R.J. Kurtz & M. Le Flem, 2014. "Present status of vanadium alloys for fusion applications," Post-Print cea-03189945, HAL.
    2. Brendan Kochunas & Xun Huan, 2021. "Digital Twin Concepts with Uncertainty for Nuclear Power Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-32, July.
    3. Mariano Tarantino & Massimo Angiolini & Serena Bassini & Sebastiano Cataldo & Chiara Ciantelli & Carlo Cristalli & Alessandro Del Nevo & Ivan Di Piazza & Dario Diamanti & Marica Eboli & Angela Fiore &, 2021. "Overview on Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor Design and Related Technologies Development in ENEA," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-33, August.
    4. Abram, Tim & Ion, Sue, 2008. "Generation-IV nuclear power: A review of the state of the science," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 4323-4330, December.
    5. Kai Nordlund & Steven J. Zinkle & Andrea E. Sand & Fredric Granberg & Robert S. Averback & Roger Stoller & Tomoaki Suzudo & Lorenzo Malerba & Florian Banhart & William J. Weber & Francois Willaime & S, 2018. "Improving atomic displacement and replacement calculations with physically realistic damage models," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Harleen Kaur Sandhu & Saran Srikanth Bodda & Abhinav Gupta, 2023. "A Future with Machine Learning: Review of Condition Assessment of Structures and Mechanical Systems in Nuclear Facilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Kyle M. Paaren & Pavel Medvedev & Robert Mariani, 2023. "Optimization of Conductive Fins to Minimize UO 2 Fuel Temperature and Radial Temperature Gradient," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Raval, Khushi Jatinkumar & Jadav, Nilesh Kumar & Rathod, Tejal & Tanwar, Sudeep & Vimal, Vrince & Yamsani, Nagendar, 2024. "A survey on safeguarding critical infrastructures: Attacks, AI security, and future directions," International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    2. Delsoto, G.S. & Battisti, F.G. & da Silva, A.K., 2023. "Dynamic modeling and control of a solar-powered Brayton cycle using supercritical CO2 and optimization of its thermal energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 336-356.
    3. Zio, Enrico & Miqueles, Leonardo, 2024. "Digital twins in safety analysis, risk assessment and emergency management," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    4. Molly Ross & T-Ying Lin & Daniel Gould & Sanjoy Das & Hitesh Bindra, 2022. "Projecting the Thermal Response in a HTGR-Type System during Conduction Cooldown Using Graph-Laplacian Based Machine Learning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Contu, Davide & Strazzera, Elisabetta & Mourato, Susana, 2016. "Modeling individual preferences for energy sources: The case of IV generation nuclear energy in Italy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 37-58.
    6. Crespi, Francesco & Gavagnin, Giacomo & Sánchez, David & Martínez, Gonzalo S., 2017. "Supercritical carbon dioxide cycles for power generation: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 152-183.
    7. Locatelli, Giorgio & Mancini, Mauro & Todeschini, Nicola, 2013. "Generation IV nuclear reactors: Current status and future prospects," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1503-1520.
    8. Brook, Barry W., 2012. "Could nuclear fission energy, etc., solve the greenhouse problem? The affirmative case," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 4-8.
    9. Crespi, Francesco & Sánchez, David & Rodríguez, José M. & Gavagnin, Giacomo, 2020. "A thermo-economic methodology to select sCO2 power cycles for CSP applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P3), pages 2905-2912.
    10. Ramana, M.V. & Saikawa, Eri, 2011. "Choosing a standard reactor: International competition and domestic politics in Chinese nuclear policy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 6779-6789.
    11. Hyeonmin Kim & Jung-Taek Kim & Jaehyuk Eoh & Dong-Won Lim, 2018. "Development of a Physics-Based Monitoring Algorithm Detecting CO 2 Ingress Accidents in a Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    12. Santos, Ricardo Luis Pereira dos & Rosa, Luiz Pinguelli & Arouca, Maurício Cardoso & Ribeiro, Alan Emanuel Duailibe, 2013. "The importance of nuclear energy for the expansion of Brazil's electricity grid," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 284-289.
    13. Xu, Cheng & Zhang, Qiang & Yang, Zhiping & Li, Xiaosa & Xu, Gang & Yang, Yongping, 2018. "An improved supercritical coal-fired power generation system incorporating a supplementary supercritical CO2 cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 1319-1329.
    14. Qiuwen Wang & Hu Zhang & Puxin Zhu, 2023. "Using Nuclear Energy for Maritime Decarbonization and Related Environmental Challenges: Existing Regulatory Shortcomings and Improvements," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.
    15. Hui, Jiuwu, 2024. "Discrete-time integral terminal sliding mode load following controller coupled with disturbance observer for a modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    16. Faustino Moreno-Gamboa & Ana Escudero-Atehortua & César Nieto-Londoño, 2022. "Alternatives to Improve Performance and Operation of a Hybrid Solar Thermal Power Plant Using Hybrid Closed Brayton Cycle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-24, August.
    17. Konstantinos Prantikos & Lefteri H. Tsoukalas & Alexander Heifetz, 2022. "Physics-Informed Neural Network Solution of Point Kinetics Equations for a Nuclear Reactor Digital Twin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-22, October.
    18. Sungjoo Lee & Byungun Yoon & Juneseuk Shin, 2016. "Effects of Nuclear Energy on Sustainable Development and Energy Security: Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-16, September.
    19. Zhu, Zilong & Chen, Yaping & Wu, Jiafeng & Zhang, Shaobo & Zheng, Shuxing, 2019. "A modified Allam cycle without compressors realizing efficient power generation with peak load shifting and CO2 capture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 478-487.
    20. Harleen Kaur Sandhu & Saran Srikanth Bodda & Abhinav Gupta, 2023. "A Future with Machine Learning: Review of Condition Assessment of Structures and Mechanical Systems in Nuclear Facilities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:5:p:1845-:d:762644. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.