EU hosts symposium on nuclear fission
A two-day joint symposium on the benefits of nuclear fission is being held in Brussels.
The event, ‘Nuclear Fission Research for a Low Carbon Economy’, was initially instigated by the European Council in 2011, when calls were made for a high-level gathering on the future of nuclear fission research. Hosted by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, the event is designed to bring together stakeholders for discussions over the future of this promising energy source.
With energy from nuclear fission promising to provide affordable, sustainable and clean energy, researchers and policy makers have been eager to bring forward technological developments as Europe works to reduce its carbon footprint and develop sustainable energy.
Speaking at the start of the event, Dominique Ristori, the director-general of the Commission’s Joint Research Centre, underlined the need for engagement in nuclear energy as global demand for already constrained energy resources increases. Mentioning the Fukushima nuclear incident in Japan, Ristori highlighted the challenges for nuclear energy in general as some member states reconsider their nuclear power programmes.
With 77% of European energy supplied by fossil fuels, 13% from nuclear energy and the remainder from renewable energy, there is a growing impetus to shift energy generation towards more sustainable and independent energy sources, with nuclear fission cited as a possible supply.
Bringing together leading decision makers in Brussels and the member states, alongside researchers and industry, the event is designed to facilitate communication and information sharing.
Nuclear research is expected to benefit significantly under Horizon 2020, with €1.6bn dedicated to the energy source as part of EURATOM. Other green energies will receive research funding under the energy societal challenge.
