Oct
22
2025
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Vision, Partner in the ALFRED Project: Innovation and Technology for Next-Generation Nuclear Energy
ALFRED Project

The ALFRED Project (Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator) represents one of Europe’s most ambitious programs in Generation IV nuclear reactors, carried out under the ESNII (European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative). The demonstrator reactor, planned to be constructed in Mioveni, Romania, will use lead-cooled fast neutron technology, with an estimated capacity of approximately 300 MW thermal / 125 MW electric.

ALFRED Context – Supporting Infrastructure

Structured in phases, ALFRED is currently in Stage 1, focused on building the supporting research infrastructure, including facilities such as ATHENA (for thermal-hydraulic pool testing) and ChemLab (lead chemistry laboratory), funded through the Competitiveness Operational Program with a budget of approximately 92 million RON, of which RATEN ICN contributes 38 million RON.

Subsequently, the PRO ALFRED project (under PNCDI III) strengthened these efforts by preparing feasibility studies, technical documentation, and pre-licensing support for experimental installations — all critical components for the development of ALFRED technology.

The planned extended infrastructure includes additional facilities such as HELENA-2, ELF, Hands-ON, and Meltin’Pot, each playing a critical role in testing materials and components, and validating the design methodology.

Vision’s Role in the Project

Within this ambitious framework, Vision Technology Development actively contributes with expertise in IoT technologies, hardware development, and electronic prototyping. Key areas of involvement include:

  • Designing robust IoT ecosystems – optimized for industrial and nuclear conditions, ensuring reliable data collection in extreme environments.
  • Advanced industrial sensors – developed to measure oxygen concentration in molten metal, resistant to high temperatures.
  • Device management and smart electronic modules – integrating transducers and protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, and LoRaWAN into a coherent acquisition and control solution.
  • Support for prototyping laboratories – instrumentation and software dedicated to rapid and accurate testing of critical components.

Vision’s expertise provides a clear advantage to the project, ensuring reliable data and facilitating the integration of emerging technologies into ALFRED’s research processes.

Impact and Long-Term Vision

Through its contributions, Vision not only supports the development of experimental infrastructure but also strengthens Romania’s technological position as a reference facility in the Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) field. ALFRED has the potential to reshape Europe’s energy landscape: remarkable fuel efficiency, high operating temperatures, passive safety systems, and spent fuel recycling.

Vision’s participation in this project demonstrates a commitment to:

  • High-tech R&D with real-world impact.
  • Innovative and resilient solutions ready for the most demanding environments.
  • Strategic partnerships in European projects supporting a sustainable energy transition.

Want to see how Vision can support your critical projects with IoT expertise, electronic design, and advanced integration? Let’s start the conversation.