Partners of the BRILLIANT project implemented a lot of activities important for cooperation in the Baltic region in the field energy sector research and development, taking emphasis on the impact of nuclear power developments and related research. At first project partners collected information on the existing research infrastructure, energy sector infrastructure, and the information on the radioactive wastes in the countries represented in the project. The collected information on research infrastructure was used to perform SWOT analysis of Nuclear education and training in the Baltic states. The collected information on energy sectors in each country is used to develop a country-specific model for MESSAGE modelling tool. To ensure that these country-specific models are developed correctly the trainings were provided by LEI experts to all project partners. The country specific model we later joined together to establish a regional model of the energy sector.
A number of meetings with wider public was organised in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland. These meetings were open to all interested people from different ministries, regulators, agencies, students, etc. In each meeting presentations on nuclear power development, project objectives, achieved results and importance of regional cooperation to solve the energy sector issues were given and followed with live discussion with the participants. These meetings contributed to an efficient political and public communication on the important subjects related to nuclear power and its regional impact.
Four competence build-up visits to the “nuclear fuel cycle hub” in Oskarshamn, Sweden have been realized in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Each meeting was attended by up to 20 participants from BRILLIANT partners as well as other stakeholders in nuclear energy issues from participating countries. The meetings were attended by the ambassador of Poland in Sweden, energy vice minister of Lithuania, experts of the nuclear regulators or power plant operators. Such high interest show importance of the project implemented activities. Oskarshamn community organised these meetings very effectively. A program of the meetings included 1) guided tour of the Reactor O3; 2) Visit to Interim Storage for Spent Nuclear Fuel, 3) Visit to Äspö Har Rock Laboratory; and 4) Visit to SKB, Canister Laboratory.
Students from the European Master in Nuclear Energy (EMINE), from KTH’s Master in Nuclear Energy Engineering (TNEEM), from Technical University in Krakow -AGH were actively cooperating with the BRILLIANT project participating in the BRILLIANT seminars, courses and preparing materials for BRILLIANT events. BRILLIANT young students and experts participate in the Summer Course on the Geological Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel. European Nuclear Education Network – ENEN has been well informed about the BRILLIANT project and some of BRILLIANT co-organised events like the Summer Course in Oskarshamn, Sweden. BRILLIANT project has been presented during the information event in Almedalen in Sweden on Nuclear Energy prospects.
The BRILLIANT project provided a good basis so establish a strong and effective cooperation among the research centres in Baltic region in the fields of nuclear fuel cycle, radioactive waste management, energy sector development, security of energy supply, assessment of the macroeconomic impact of the nuclear power developments, etc.
