Time to merge nuclear with mainstream research on energy?

Research into nuclear power is explicitly excluded from the scope of the EU research framework programmes.

This is because, while everything else in Europe is governed by the EU treaty, nuclear power still has its own rules.

The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) treaty was signed in 1957 to support the atomic energy market, at a time when the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was still up and running.

The ECSC no longer exists and voices in the EU can be heard saying EURATOM’s time is also over and nuclear rules should be merged with the EU treaty.

For now, all things atomic have their own separate cash-box.

The 7th framework programme (FP7) contains an energy funding stream to cover traditional coal and oil research, as well as renewable power and energy efficiency, but not nuclear. Money for the Commission’s Joint Research Centre is also ring-fenced for ‘non-nuclear actions’.

Funds for nuclear research and training programmes have been debated in tandem with FP7.

But the €2.7 billion set aside for this by the European Parliament in July is in fact a second funding proposal. While FP7 will run from 2007-13, this EURATOM nuclear money will only be spread over a five-year period.

Nuclear industry umbrella group FORATOM says this money is needed for research into areas including nuclear fission, radioactive waste reduction and geological disposal.

Nuclear fans remain unsure whether it is a good idea to treat nuclear power separately from all other EU research topics.

Critics of the current system say bundling nuclear research together with transport and the humanities would help shake off the stigma associated with atomic energy. On the other hand, the status quo makes sure that Parliamentary nuclear opposition is ruled out.

While MEPs have no power to block measures proposed under EURATOM, they made their support for renewable energy clear this year by asking to fence off two-thirds of the FP7 research money exclusively for renewable and energy efficiency research.

This would translate into about €226 milion a year for renewables research under FP7, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), compared to €440m received in total so far u nder FP6.

The European Commission said the idea went against the inclusive spirit of FP7 and pointed out that it would exclude options including carbon capture and clean coal. Ministers agreed and reverted to the original proposal in July.

Isabelle Valentiny of the EWEA says that her group hopes it is not too late to save separate renewables funding under FP7 during talks between governments and ministers ahead of a second reading.

She points out that traditional energy sources have for a long time received government subsidies, whereas in most of Europe renewable energy has not.

"Two-thirds of the total FP7 energy fund is based on calculations of what we need for renewables research. We hope we still have the Parliament on our side; we hope to get an important share of FP7."

Research into nuclear power is explicitly excluded from the scope of the EU research framework programmes.