Back to Project Status

That Europe needs a new MW spallation neutron source is acknowledged by both scientists and decision makers. Prior to project baselining, discussions in Europe must lead to settling on a final strategy and concept for the facility. This activity may take weeks, if the Bonn concept with a 5+5 MW long and short pulse target stations is selected. But now that a delay of the project seems unavoidable it will more likely take at least a couple of years.

A continued strong user involvement with continued harnessing of the science case is of key importance for such a project. Furthermore the power of neutron scattering should continue to be demonstrated through optimal use of existing facilities to provide new breaktroughs in a wide a range of disciplines - and through expanding the scientific areas where neutron scattering is advantageously used.

Another important issue is to maintain technical competence/capability, through an advanced technology programme and to investigate a range of possible performance enhancing technologies for a delayed European facility. Such a programme will however not have a direct impact on the planning and construction time schedule.

After a decision to go ahead with baselining and construction planning for the project, it will take about half a year to assemble a project team and a further 1,5 year and about 20 M€ to carry through this construction planning and baselining. Candidate sites should also engage in more detailed site planning. Based on this a decision to construct the ESS can be taken and an operating facility could be ready after an 8 year construction period.

Prototyping activities amounting to approximately 20 M€ could be initiated immediately, but could also be carried out in parallel with or slightly later after the start of project baselining, and then continue into the construction phase. At some risk for a delay of the construction period and a somewhat larger uncertainty in construction costs, prototyping could be delayed until the start of the construction phase.

World-wide collaboration on both science and technology is in all cases essential for a healthy and cost-effective development.