Which evolutions in Europe in the conception of fast reactors?

The European Fast Reactor (EFR) project, which started in 1988, has reached an important step in 1993 with the achievement of the conception validation phase. This step has demonstrated the feasibility of the two main objectives requested by the electric power producers: the economic objective of competitiveness of the kilowatt-hour cost for a serial EFR unit with respect to a PWR unit of the same age, and a technical objective of conformity with the most ambitious safety rules considered in future electronuclear units, allowing its building in any of the participating countries. Important research and development programs have allowed to validate the characteristics necessary to reach these objectives. This paper presents the main technical improvements performed from the Superphenix concept to reach the EFR objectives. (J.S.). 12 figs