ESS, the European Spallation Source, is a multi-disciplinary research facility based on the world’s most powerful neutron source. The facility is currently under construction in Lund, Sweden, with the Data Management and Software Centre located in Copenhagen, Denmark. ESS will provide unique research opportunities within materials research for thousands of scientists from all over the world, enabling scientific breakthroughs addressing some of the most important societal challenges of our time in research related to materials, energy, health and the environment.

The facility will provide competitive, MW source performance even in the early stages of commissioning and power ramp-up. With early, planned operational upgrades, it will become the most powerful source of neutrons in the world. This will offer unique capabilities, both exceeding and complementing those of today’s leading neutron sources, enabling new opportunities for researchers across the spectrum of scientific discovery: including materials and life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics.

The spallation target and its environmental impact

• The ESS source will be built around a solid tungsten target, cooled by helium gas.
• Radioactive substances will be generated by the spallation process, but the solid target makes the handling of these materials easier and safer than if a liquid target had been used.
• ESS, E.on, and Lunds Energi are collaborating in a project aiming to get the facility to be the world’s first completely sustainable large-scale research centre through investment in wind power. The ESS project is expected to include an extension of the Nysted Wind Farm.
• Radioactive material storage and transport will be required, but the need is much less than that of a nuclear reactor.
• More information on the ESS licensing process can be found here.
• ESS expects to be CO₂-neutral.
• Recent design improvements will decrease energy usage at ESS