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Motivation
The Rutte IV cabinet decided to extend the operational life of the Borssele nuclear power plant and build two new nuclear power plants. In the Hoofdlijnenakkoord of the Schoof cabinet, this ambition was further increased to the construction of four new nuclear power plants in the Netherlands. In addition, there is political attention for the possible deployment of so-called Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). To realize these ambitions, a strong Dutch knowledge and innovation base is essential. Therefore, an exploratory mission team on Nuclear Energy has been established. This team has developed a Multi-year Mission-driven Innovation Program (MMIP) on Nuclear Energy. The aim of this program is to safeguard, strengthen, and future-proof the nuclear knowledge infrastructure through targeted investments in education, research, and innovation. Within the MMIP Nuclear Energy, eight research themes have been identified:- Radiation protection
- System knowledge (integration into the Dutch energy system);
- Knowledge of nuclear reactor and fuel cycle technology;
- Reactor-related 'enabling' topics;
- High-temperature hydrogen production;
- Material research, including the use of nuclear/ionizing radiation;
- Processing and storage of radioactive waste and geological disposal;
- Perception, communication, and public support.
Objective
The demand for a clear overview of specific knowledge and innovation needs within governments and businesses is increasing. There is a need for insight into the available possibilities and the investments required to further develop and strengthen the knowledge ecosystem for nuclear energy in the Netherlands. On behalf of the Nuclear Energy program management of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth, Dialogic, in collaboration with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) and the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), conducted an inventory study for the nuclear energy knowledge and innovation program. This research ran parallel to another study on human capital issues in the nuclear domain. Although both topics are related, this study does not focus on human capital. The inventory study has two main objectives:- Mapping the needs for knowledge development and innovation within the nuclear domain, resulting in a nuclear energy knowledge and innovation program.
- Developing thematic roadmaps based on this inventory, focusing on knowledge development and innovation in the nuclear domain.
Approach
Through a desk study, based on vision documents and 42 interviews with a total of 57 stakeholders, we gained valuable insights into the knowledge and innovation issues and the nuclear ecosystem in the Netherlands. These issues were then organized and clustered within the eight MMIP themes. In four working sessions, with 10 to 15 stakeholders each, the issues were further refined, explained, and validated. Subsequently, concrete steps for the development of the thematic roadmaps were determined in an overarching working session with 19 experts. Participants were given the opportunity to provide written feedback on interim products after each working session.Results
In this report, we first outline recent developments in government policy regarding the Dutch nuclear knowledge infrastructure since 2020, including the steps taken in terms of development and promotion. We also provide a brief description of the Dutch nuclear innovation ecosystem. Next, we present an overview of the collected knowledge and innovation questions, while also explaining their context and content. This contributes to a better understanding of the specific challenges that knowledge and innovation programs can be aligned with. Additionally, we elaborate on eight thematic roadmaps. These include ambitions, steps to be taken, timelines, uncertainties, and involved partners. We also describe relevant international forums and research programs in which the Netherlands can collaborate with international partners. In addition to the knowledge and innovation issues and roadmaps, we make some recommendations to strengthen the nuclear innovation ecosystem:- Strengthen programs for education and training.
- Promote (inter)national cooperation.
- Ensure high-quality facilities and ensure adequate coordination.
- Manage and preserve acquired knowledge with an effective knowledge management system.
- Ensure sufficient valorization of knowledge.
- Ensure the continuity of the MMIP beyond 2030.
