GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Proposals should address challenges related to ageing management and/or the evaluation of safety margins of the reactors’ fleet. Such challenges relate, among other things, to the development of methods and tools to increase safety, the availability of systems, structures and components needed for reliable and safe management, core physics and thermal hydraulics, monitoring, digital including artificial intelligence, internet of things and digital twins, modelling and simulation, as well as prevention and mitigation strategies for long-term operation.

Adequate safety margins, the early detection of degradation and prevention of failures in pressure boundary components is of high priority to ensure the important third physical barrier in light water reactors. During the long operating life of nuclear power plants (40-80 years), the steel pressure boundary components are subjected to threats from non-linear processes such as ageing, different degradation mechanisms and load history effects. This highlights the importance of research activities to ensure proper analysis of damage tolerance, degradation, loads and safety margins, and to ensure appropriate programmes for inspections, repairs and the replacement of components.