Regional Stories: Czech, Belgian, and Finnish Cooperation

Advancing the Future of Clean Energy

In the rapidly evolving landscape of clean energy, international cooperation plays a crucial role in driving technological advancements and ensuring energy security. A prominent example of such collaboration is the strategic partnership between the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Finland in the field of nuclear innovation. These three nations, each with unique expertise in nuclear science and engineering, have joined forces to explore and develop the next generation of nuclear technologies – most notably through their joint participation in the ambitious SANE project.

The SANE project, short for Safety Assessment of Non-Electric Uses of Nuclear Energy, is an EU-supported initiative designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in nuclear power. Launched under the Horizon Europe framework, SANE brings together leading nuclear research institutions, regulatory bodies, and industry players from across Europe. Its goal is to retrofit industrial applications to current nuclear power plants and design novel reactors for non-electric uses.

Belgium, with its long-standing research infrastructure, including the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), plays a pivotal role in providing scientific leadership and state-of-the-art testing facilities. The country is also at the forefront of reactor safety analysis and materials research, which are key components of the SANE project. Belgium’s contributions focus on tackling climate change, creating sustainable solutions for dismantling and waste management and advancing cancer treatment.

Finland, known for its pragmatic and forward-thinking nuclear policy, contributes its deep regulatory and operational expertise to the partnership. Finnish VTT Technical Research Centre brings valuable insights into the licensing of new reactor technologies and the implementation of geological disposal solutions for spent fuel. Finland's role in the SANE project includes evaluating future uses of nuclear heat, establishing simulation benchmarks, and exploringapplications such as CO₂ direct air capture and hydrogen production. VTT also leads efforts in developing advanced risk communication strategies, alongside deterministic and probabilistic accident analysis methods tailored for next-generation reactors. 

The Czech Republic, a country with a strong industrial base and growing nuclear ambitions, is actively investing in new nuclear capacity to meet its decarbonization targets. Research Centre Řež is deeply involved in reactor design innovation, thermal-hydraulic simulations, and experimental testing. Within the SANE project, CVŘ is dedicated to the dissemination, communication, and exploitation of project results. This role ensures that SANE’s advancements in nuclear energy and safety reach a wide audience, foster collaboration, and enhance the project’s visibility. Additionally, CVR contributes to WP2 and WP4, focusing on the evaluation of deterministic safety assessment tools, radiological risk, and effective risk communication. It is also involved in WP1, specifically in a preparatory study on the use of SMR to supply energy for industrial applications and central heating systems.

The trilateral cooperation between these countries underscores the importance of pooling resources and expertise to tackle complex challenges in the nuclear domain. Their collaboration goes beyond research, extending into joint training programs, cross-border regulatory harmonization efforts, and the development of supply chains for advanced nuclear systems.

As the global community searches for reliable, low-carbon energy solutions, the Czech, Belgian, Finnish alliance exemplifies how European nations can lead by example. Through initiatives like the SANE project, they are not only advancing nuclear technology but also strengthening Europe’s energy resilience and climate commitments. The success of this partnership may well serve as a blueprint for future collaborative models, demonstrating that innovation, when supported by shared vision and cooperation, can pave the way toward a sustainable and secure energy future.