SNETP has three pillars and a number of technical areas, but this subdivision is application oriented. Unlike other international nuclear societies, Europe does offer a platform for researchers working in the same field of expertise to come together. Therefore, an initiative was taken to form so-called Topical Communities under the umbrella of SNETP. The European Thermal Hydraulics Community (ETHC) is the first Topical Community established under the umbrella of SNETP and is now pioneering to find its position in the European nuclear landscape.

The ETHC aims to establish, stimulate, share and maintain high-level knowledge and expertise in all areas of nuclear thermal hydraulics. The initiative was been taken by Katrien van Tichelen (SCK CEN, Belgium) and Ferry Roelofs (NRG, Netherlands). The initial ETHC council has been formed and consists apart from Katrien and Ferry of Sanjeev Gupta (BT, Germany), Pierre Ruyer (IRSN, France), and Stefano Lorenzi (PoliMi, Italy).

The community aims to reach its goals by:

  • bringing together experts, students and young professionals,
  • stimulating networking and mobility,
  • sharing resources and setting up collaborations,
  • facilitating knowledge management, expansion, and development
  • connecting students and (young) professionals with SNETP and other international organizations (e.g. ANS THD)

The ETHC Council members

Apart from the ETHC Council, also a Steering Council and an Advisory Council have been put in place. The Steering Council aims at guiding the ETHC Council in decision on activities to develop and in supporting the Council in organizational matters. The Steering Council will also ensure a close link with SNETP. The initial member are Luis Herranz (CIEMAT, Spain), Pavel Kral (UJV), Christophe Schneidesch (ENGIE, Belgium), and Marco Cherubini (NINE, Italy). The Advisory Council aims at support on how to develop and maintain activities and at connecting to other communities. Initial members are Sofiane Benhamadouche (EDF, France), Graham McPherson (Frazer-Nash, UK) and Jean-Marie LeCorre (Westinghouse, Sweden) and Walter Ambrosini (UniPi, Italy).

A first newsletter was issued in July and in the meantime a contact list is being established. All ETHC newsletters will embed a list of relevant events, workshops, or conferences, with special emphasis on European events. Do not hesitate to contact the ETHC with the necessary information if you wish to advertise your thermal hydraulic event. The ETHC can be contacted through ethc@snetp.eu (also if you wish to join the contact list), and a LinkedIn group (see QR code below) has been created to disseminate news, events and other topics related to the ETHC. A close link has already been established with the Thermal Hydraulic Division of the American Nuclear Society and the ETHC looks forward to also collaborate with other similar international thermal hydraulic communities.

Read the first ETHC community newsletter and join the LinkedIn group!