Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives

The Commissariat à l' énergie Atomique et aux énergies alternative ( CEA2; German " Commissariat for Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies " ) is a French center for nuclear energy, that is a public institution with industrial and commercial character, under joint jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry. It was founded on October 18, 1945 by Charles de Gaulle. The first High Commissioner was Frédéric Joliot- Curie. The main research centers are located in Saclay (Île- de -France ), Cadarache (Provence ) and Grenoble. By 10 March 2010, the institution under the name of the Commissariat à l' énergie Atomique (CEA ) was known.

Areas of responsibility

The CEA is a public research institution that is busy trying to obtain sufficient and advanced knowledge of nuclear processes and their applications in the fields of energy, industry, research, health and defense. The CEA also contributes to national efforts in research and technological innovation and technology transfer to industry. The CEA is an institution of the state, performs investigations, pausing an advisory role, make suggestions and provide support to the nuclear industry. It also operational from 1973 to 1997 and from 2003 to 2009 together with Electricité de France the first fast breeder reactor, the nuclear power plant Phenix (130 MW net, not to be confused with the nuclear power plant Creys - Malville ( " Superphénix " ) ).

Areas of activity

• Nuclear physics, in support of energy policy and the related basic research
• Continuation of the use of nuclear energy by 2010 and beyond
• Development of alternative, non-fossil energy sources to achieve versatile energy systems
• Exploration of new solutions, particularly in the context of controlled thermonuclear fusion
• Guarantee of the French defense capability
• Investigation and detection of the effects of ionizing radiation and inclusion of such acquired knowledge in the development of nuclear medicine
• Study the effects of radiation on matter
• Basic research on the understanding of physical phenomena and the development of necessary instruments to
• Assessment and measurement of the influence of radioactivity on the environment
• Exploration and study of nuclear safety in the context of government decisions
• Innovation and diffusion of technologies
• Development of future microelectronics
• Development of materials, manufacturing processes and the associated control
• Actions in favor of regional industrial structure and SMEs
• Support of the government policy in the context of research and technological innovation ( advancing the development of technological innovation and research networks)
• Knowledge
• Support the training and teaching at universities and colleges
• Ensure the ongoing training of employees of the nuclear industry
• Participation in the forwarding of scientific and technical information
• Participation in the development of SALOME

Key data

• Budget: € 2.8 billion, of which EUR 1.7 billion for activities in the civilian sector
• 16 325 researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff
• 4 research centers for the military sector
• 5 centers for studies in the civilian sector: Saclay, Fontenay -aux -Roses, Cadarache, Valrhô, Grenoble

Priority areas of cooperation at the international level

The CEA ensures the representation of France to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA ) in Vienna. His work in the field of nuclear fusion is associated with the Euratom Treaty. The team of researchers working with CEA same areas together around the world.

Management

• Chief administrator and Chairman of the Board of Directors: Alain Bugat
• Commissioner for Atomic Energy: Bernard Bigot

The predecessor of Bigot as commissioners were Frédéric Joliot- Curie, Francis Perrin, Jacques Yvon, Jean Teillac, Robert Dautray, René Pellat.