34 Euratom Fusion Research Programme
| (35131)
11008/13
SWD(13) 213
| Commission Staff Working Document: Towards a modern Euratom research Programme
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| Legal base | —
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| Document originated | 11 June 2013
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| Deposited in Parliament | 4 July 2013
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| Department | Business, Innovation and Skills
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| Basis of consideration | EM of 17 July 2013
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| Previous Committee Report | None, but see footnote
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| Discussion in Council | No date set
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| Committee's assessment | Politically important
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| Committee's decision | Cleared
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Background
34.1 Because of the potential which fusion has to become a significant
greenhouse gas-free energy source, the Commission says that the
EU has for many years been at the forefront of research, notably
through the Joint European Torus (JET), and more recently the
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), which
draws upon the basic physics understanding established by the
JET, and aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy
for peaceful purposes and to establish whether this can become
a major sustainable energy source.
34.2 The Commission also says that the success of
JET and the preparation of ITER would not have been possible without
a highly developed and integrated EU research and development
fusion programme, involving all Member States. This programme
comprises Bilateral Association Agreements ("Contracts of
Association") between national laboratories and the Commission,
providing funding from Euratom and leveraging national funding,
and the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), a multilateral
agreement signed by all "Associates", which promotes
collaborative activities through a range of instruments.
34.3 At the same time, the Commission cautions that,
although ITER will be the future cornerstone of the EU and global
fusion programme, and will thus be the main priority of the current
European effort, the benefits cannot be reaped unless EU fusion
researchers are fully involved in its construction and exploitation.
It says that this makes it imperative to prepare the young researchers
working today who should be in senior positions by the time ITER
is ready to be exploited to its full potential, and that, in order
for the operation of ITER to be effective, the necessary operational
scenarios must be well prepared. In addition, it says that, with
ITER construction well under way, there is already a need to plan
for the following stage — a device (DEMO) which can demonstrate
actual electricity production.
34.4 The Commission concludes that these factors
make it more important than ever to have a strong integrated fusion
research programme in Europe with reinforced cooperation between
Member States, and involving a gradual transition from the current
broad programme aimed at exploring the fundamental of fusion science
to one driven by a strongly goal-oriented roadmap agreed by the
EU fusion stakeholders.
The current document
34.5 The Commission has accordingly sought in this
document to consider how the European fusion programme (apart
from the construction of ITER) should be implemented during Horizon
2020 and beyond to achieve these objectives, and it thus complements
a draft Council Regulation[115]
which it put forward in November 2011 on the research and training
programme for Euratom for the period 2014-18. Having consulted
widely, it is proposing that the foundation of the future European
fusion research effort should be a common roadmap developed by
the national fusion laboratories (the current Associates) and
implemented through a joint programme operated in the longer term
by a dedicated legal entity, which the Commission hopes would
include all those currently involved in fusion research.
34.6 The Commission also recalls that its proposal
for Horizon 2020 Euratom allows for the deployment of different
implementing instruments, including co-funding to support a dedicated
legal entity set up by current EFDA members. It adds that the
use of recognised Horizon 2020 instruments would ensure consistency
between the fusion programme and the rest of the EU effort; that
specific arrangements will need to be put in place to ensure a
smooth and rapid transition from the current Euratom Framework
Programme for 2012-13 to a true joint programme under Horizon
2020; that it is desirable to continue the current funding arrangements
for JET; and that a monitoring and evaluation system will be put
in place. It also stresses the need for rapid action if the new
arrangements are to be in place by 1 January 2014.
The Government's view
34.7 In his Explanatory Memorandum of 17 July 2013,
the Minister for Universities and Science (David Willetts) says
that the Government supports the new approach to the management
of the Horizon 2020 Euratom fusion research programme to focus
activities on clear objectives, such as the success of ITER and
the development of DEMO, as outlined in the common agreed roadmap.
He notes that EU national laboratories, including the UK's Culham
Centre for Fusion Energy, are working towards the creation of
a comprehensive consortium of national laboratories, which will
define how the joint programme under the roadmap will be implemented,
though he points out that discussions are still continuing, and
that the new arrangements may not be finalised until 2014. The
Minister also says that the UK-based JET facility will be funded
under a bilateral agreement between the Commission and the Culham
Centre, with the exploitation of JET being part of the joint programme
and the responsibility of the consortium.
Conclusion
34.8 In view of the potential importance of fusion
energy, we have from time to time reported to the House on developments
relating to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor,
including its funding, and, although this document deals primarily
with organisational matters and raises no issues which need further
consideration, we think it right that it too should be drawn to
the attention of the House.
115 (33496) 17936/11: see HC 428-xlix (2010-12), chapter
2 (1 February 2012). Back
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