The Innovation for Nuclear—Europe (I4N—Europe) 2024 final, held in Sofia, Bulgaria on 27 June 2024, was a key highlight within the ‘Sustainable Nuclear Innovations’ discussion platform, hosted by the Bulgarian Nuclear Society. This annual competition, organised by the European Nuclear Society Young Generation Network (ENS YGN), brought together 26 young innovators from eight European countries to present new solutions for sustainable and advanced nuclear technologies. SNETP played a significant role in supporting I4N-Europe by offering its expertise and guidance to the young innovators. The collaboration between SNETP and ENS YGN for the I4N competition demonstrates a strong support system for these emerging talents, ensuring their ideas receive the recognition and encouragement they deserve.
The journey to the I4N European finals began with national competitions held in several European countries in April. The winners of these national contests earned their place in the I4N Europe final, where they had the opportunity to present their innovative projects to a broader audience of industry experts and stakeholders.
A preparatory online workshop with SNETP took place at the beginning of May. This virtual event featured SNETP-affiliated nuclear start-ups, Thorizon and Copenhagen Atomics, who shared their experiences and helped the finalists refine their projects. The workshop offered participants practical advice and inspiration, ensuring they were well-prepared for the final round.
On the discussion platform, after hours of intense pitches from all I4N Europe finalists, Team Germany emerged as the winner with their project ‘Ducat – Depleted Uranium for Green Chemistry’. This innovative initiative demonstrated how depleted uranium can be reused in green chemistry applications, highlighting the important role of chemistry in advancing nuclear technology. With their victory, Team Germany will now represent Europe, alongside last year’s winner, Spain, at the I4N World Final, where they will compete against teams from around the globe. Organised biennially by the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC), the World Final will take place in Abu Dhabi at the end of September 2024.
Team Spain and Team France were also recognised for their strong performances, taking second and third place respectively. The competition was an impressive showcase of talent from across Europe, with all teams leaving inspired and enriched by the exchange of ideas and experiences. Mutual respect among participants fostered a supportive environment, where nuclear innovation in all its forms was celebrated.
Team Germany is eagerly anticipating the I4N World Final. With support from organisations such as SNETP, they are well-positioned to showcase their innovative project on the global stage. The I4N competition continues to spotlight the next generation of nuclear innovators and plays a vital role in promoting sustainable nuclear solutions to address the world’s challenges.
In conclusion, the I4N-Europe 2024 final was a remarkable celebration of creativity, commitment, and collaboration in the field of nuclear energy. The passion and innovation demonstrated by all participants underscore the bright future of nuclear technologies in Europe, leaving everyone excited to see the progress that will be made in the years ahead.
