Science and research are an integral part of the activities of Slovenske elektrárne. As a leading company in the nuclear industry and the only company operating nuclear reactors in Slovakia, Slovak Power Plants' research focuses mainly on activities related to supporting the improvement of nuclear safety, supporting the completion project of Units 3 and 4 of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plants, improving operational parameters and evaluating the service life of the main components of nuclear power plants.
Other areas of interest are safety aspects in the operation of nuclear power plants, maintaining the reliability of systems, components and structures, intelligent diagnostic systems and the storage or transportation of spent fuel for further use, and to a considerable extent environmental protection.
Operational practice constantly requires new solutions, materials and procedures, which Slovenské elektrárne solves in the form of applied science and research. Other partners are also involved in the solutions, especially Slovak technical universities and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV). In this way, Slovenské elektrárne indirectly supports science and research in Slovakia.
In cooperation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Technical University in Bratislava (STU BA) and other partners, the National Competence Centre focused on new materials, progressive technologies and energy was established. The project is supported by the EU Structural Funds in the total amount of 8 million euro with completion in June 2015. Sixteen top experts from the Slovak Power Plants are involved in the research within the Competence Centre.
Slovenské elektrárne established a subsidiary company Centrum pre vedu a výskum, s.r.o., which is engaged in a project called the Centre for Industrial Research on the Service Life of Selected Components of Power Equipment. The project is partly financed from the EU structural funds.
Our high ambitions in the field of science and research lead us to deeper cooperation at international level (WANO - World Association of Nuclear Operators, Halden reactor project, SNETP - Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform, ENIQ - European Nuclear Inspection Technical Centre). The common goal of these international projects is to combine financial and personnel possibilities for solving projects that cross national borders, the involvement of Slovak scientists in international teams as well as to attract foreign experts for projects implemented in Slovakia.
