The Open-source Nuclear Codes for Reactor Analysis (ONCORE) initiative is an IAEA-facilitated international collaboration framework for the development and application of open-source multi-physics simulation tools to support research, education and training for the analysis of advanced nuclear power reactors. Institutions and individuals participating in ONCORE can collaborate in, and benefit from, the development of open-source software in the field of nuclear science and technology.
An international network of research and academic institutions is creating a common platform in the area of advanced reactor experiments and high-fidelity multi-physics nuclear simulation techniques for open-source code development and validation. The work focuses on three major areas: modelling and simulations, experimental reactor physics and education and training.
The platform is particularly useful to institutions and individual users in nuclear ‘newcomer’ and developing countries as it offers access to knowledge and tools that otherwise may not be easily available. It also facilitates collaboration with recognized experts in the field.
Specific objectives of the ONCORE initiative are to:
- Build and preserve knowledge in the field of open-source simulation codes and open-access data and facilitate the exchange of information within the nuclear science and technology community;
- Define best practices for collaborative open-source code development;
- Assess features, gaps and opportunities for integration of already developed open-source modules and codes;
- Facilitate sharing of reference solutions, standard benchmark problems and input data for specific applications;
- Promote the individual tools and platform in education and research environments; and
- Organize education and training activities.
Catalogues of available codes, data and related training material will be continuously updated to provide an overview of available resources to interested users and developers. These catalogues will help to identify gaps and, in turn, establish development priorities, avoid duplications and stimulate synergies and collaborations.
