atw Vol. 65 (2020) | Issue 5 ı May 251 FEATURE | RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Feature The European Nuclear Experimental Educational Platform (ENEEP) for Education and Training ı M. Cagnazzo, H. Boeck, Š. Čerba, S. Czifrus, J. Haščík, A. Jazbec, J. Lüley, M. Miglierini, F. Osuský, V. Radulović, F. Schaden, L. Sklenka, L. Snoj, A. Tormási, M. Villa, B. Vrban The European Nuclear Experimental Educational Platform (ENEEP) for Education and Training Marcella Cagnazzo, Helmuth Boeck, Štefan Čerba, Szabolcs Czifrus, Jan Haščík, Anže Jazbec, Jakub Lüley, Marcel Miglierini, Filip Osuský, Vladimir Radulović, Fabian Schaden, Lubomir Sklenka, Luka Snoj, Attila Tormási, Mario Villa, Branislav Vrban Introduction Research reactors played an important role for the development of nuclear technology during the past decades. However recently the interest of students to engage in nuclear technology has declined for several reasons such as very few new nuclear power projects in Europe and better careers in other technologies. In view of human resources development and nuclear knowledge transfer to the next generation, modern techniques in nuclear education and training is of utmost importance. Therefore, fve institutions in Central Europe countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia), with access to four research reactors of different designs, cooperate in an EU project called ENEEP with the aim to improve nuclear education in Europe. This paper describes the ENEEP offer and discusses the projected target. 1 Nuclear Education & Training: The role of RRs In the second half of last century in many countries research reactors (RRs) were built to prepare the country for a follow-up nuclear power program. The Research Reactor Data Base (RRDB) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) [1] lists that totally 880 RR were built with power levels from zero power up to several 10 th of MW. Table 1 summarises the current situation within Europe, showing the number of RRs in operation and the geographical distribution of those that perform Education & Training activities. According to these data, an idea of the impact of RRs in nuclear education is provided by the fact that almost 70 % of RRs in operation are utilized for Education & Training activities. Compared to nuclear power reactors, typical research reactors have completely other common features such as: p RR cores have small volume p Many have power less than 5 MW(t) p Lower operating temperatures p Less fresh fuel and spent fuel p Natural and forced cooling p Higher uranium enrichment p Very high power density in the core p Pulsing capability p Use of moderator and refector for thermal fux irradiation To apply research reactors effciently for education and training certain requirements have to be fulflled by the reactor facility such as: p Simple construction p Easy access to the experimental facilities p Permission to manipulate fuel p Up-to-date digital instrumentation and control system p Availability of training laboratories with modern instruments p Adequate space in the reactor control room p Electronic textbooks in required language From the various types of research reactors developed in the past, low power research reactors, such as TRIGA (Training Research Isotope General Atomics), MNSR (Miniature Neutron Source Reactor), Slowpoke, Argonaut, AGN or SUR, are the most suitable reactors for education and training [2]. In contrast, in typical high fux reactors or MTR (Material Testing Reactor), such as Opal, BR2, FRM2, training is practically impossible because of high opera- tional costs and low fexibility in the operation schedule. Low power research reactors are suitable for student’s education at all academic levels not only in nuclear engineering, but also in various non-nuclear engineering studies, such as power engineering, electrical engineering, natural-, medical- and physical sciences. Professional training is also possible at these type of research reactors: in this case, the specifc conditions for training are mainly related to customers request (i.e. industrial companies including nuclear power plant Research Reactors in Europe [1] PLANNED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONAL, TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN 111 Operational 95 Used for Education & Training: Total 66 Austria 1 Belarus 1 Belgium 3 Czech Republic 3 France 2 Germany 5 Greece 1 Hungary 2 Italy 3 Kazakhstan 2 Netherlands 2 Poland 1 Romania 2 Russian Federation 31 Slovenia 1 Switzerland 1 Turkey 1 Ukraine 3 Uzbekistan 1 | Tab. 1. Number of research reactors (RRs) in Europe with information about some of the most used applications.