Recent severe accident research synthesis of the major outcomes from the SARNET network

•SARNET network of excellence integration mid-2013 in the NUGENIA Association.•Progress of knowledge on corium behaviour, hydrogen explosion and source term.•Further development of ASTEC integral code to capitalize knowledge.•Ranking of next R&D high priority issues accounting for international research.•Dissemination of knowledge through education courses and ERMSAR conferences.

The SARNET network (Severe Accident Research NETwork of excellence), co-funded by the European Commission from 2004 to 2013, has allowed to significantly improve the knowledge on severe accidents and to disseminate it through courses and ERMSAR conferences. The major investigated topics, involving more than 250 researchers from 22 countries, were in- and ex-vessel corium/debris coolability, molten-core–concrete-interaction, steam explosion, hydrogen combustion and mitigation in containment, impact of oxidising conditions on source term, and iodine chemistry. The ranking of the high priority issues was updated to account for the results of recent international research and for the impact of Fukushima nuclear accidents in Japan. In addition, the ASTEC integral code was further developed to capitalize the new knowledge. The network has reached self-sustainability by integration in mid-2013 into the NUGENIA Association. The main activities and outcomes of the network are presented.