On the 3rd and 4th of October, the Rector’s Hall of Politecnico di Milano hosted the kick-off meeting of the ENDURANCE (EU kNowleDge hUb foR enAbling MolteN Salt ReaCtor safety development and dEployment) research project, coordinated by the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano and funded by the Euratom Research and Training Programme. The project, managed by the Fondazione Politecnico di Milano as an Affiliated Entity, aims to support the technological development and safety of Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) in Europe.

The ENDURANCE project involves a wide network of partners: seven universities, eight research centres, four European start-ups, one industry and one technical safety organisation. Together, they will help to improve the maturity of some critical aspects required for the industrial implementation of molten salt reactors. Key research areas include fuel salt chemistry, experimental verification of reactor safety phenomena, modelling capabilities for safety assessment, fuel cycle sustainability and future adaptability of reactors in a decarbonised energy context. Particular attention will be paid to training and know-how creation aspects, especially for students and young researchers.

ENDURANCE represents a fundamental step towards the development of innovative technologies for safe and sustainable energy production. The project aims to create a European knowledge hub for molten salt reactors, facilitating the exchange of ideas, solving technological challenges and defining a roadmap for the future deployment of this technology in Europe,

said Prof. Stefano Lorenzi, project coordinator and lecturer at the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano.