Project objectives and goals

The GIROSCOPE project is being proposed to provide a robust scientific platform and framework for emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for novel nuclear reactors (NNRs). Innovative reactor designs are being considered not only for electricity generation but also for heat and power supply to industrial plants, in the vicinity of urban areas as well as in remote or hard-to-reach areas. These diverse reactor designs and applications, combined with minimal pre-existing experience of how the technology will perform throughout its life cycle, introduce radiation protection challenges requiring a comprehensive understanding and novel solutions. To meet these challenges GIROSCOPE brings together 12 institutions with a broad expertise in EP&R including, nuclear reactor design and assessment, transport modelling, EIA, and covering technical, safety and security and societal aspects.

GIROSCOPE will thoroughly characterize the source terms of the three types of NNRs: High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR), Compact Molten Salt Reactor (CMSR), and Small Light Water Reactor (SLWR). It will evaluate NNR types and their potential locations, focusing on the future requirements these sites may impose, and evaluate societal perceptions and related concerns. The project will also review radionuclide environmental transport models and demonstrate their applicability to NNR technologies. Advanced models and novel concepts (e.g., employing AI) for environmental transport of radionuclides will be developed and tested to determine the impact in complicated environments.

GIROSCOPE will provide guidelines targeted at decision-makers in nuclear safety. Supported by stakeholder engagement, the project will provide a framework for NNR assessment, a scenario database and recommendations that address the needs identified in IAEA and other international guidelines. The project's outcomes will provide substantial added value and a forward-looking guide for all European countries interested in investing in NNR technologies. By delivering scientifically sound and practical guidance, the project will support the safe and effective deployment of innovative nuclear reactors, ensuring that EIA and EP&R measures are robust and fit for purpose.

Project coordinator
Anna Wawrzynczak-Szaban, National Centre for Nuclear Research, Poland

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