News: Nuclear AMRC study shows UK capabilities
The UK has the advanced manufacturing capabilities to effectively manufacture critical systems for a small modular reactor (SMR), according to a study by the Nuclear AMRC for Westinghouse Electric Company.
With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.
In the Autumn spending review, George Osborne announced new funding to develop SMRs in the UK. The Nuclear AMRC is working with the principal technology vendors in support of their drive for a UK small modular reactor and with companies across the UK to help them seize existing opportunities and be ready for the potential of technologies such as SMRs.
SMRs promise to be much more affordable in the UK than the large scale reactors planned for projects like Hinkley Point C, which has struggled to secure investors and has strike prices inflated by the expense of financing the multi billion pound project.
Based in Pennyslvania and now owned by Toshiba, Westinghouse bid to partner with the UK Government to deploy its SMR technology last year – a move that would advance the UK from buyer to global provider of the latest nuclear energy technology.
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The Nuclear AMRC manufacturing study focused on reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) – one of the largest and most demanding parts of any reactor. Westinghouse's SMR design is a 225 MWe integral pressurised water reactor with all primary components located inside the reactor vessel.
The study determined that Westinghouse's use of UK advanced manufacturing techniques offers a potential 50% reduction in delivery lead times and offers substantial cost savings to SMR manufacturing. The UK's strong nuclear supply chain, as well as Westinghouse's commitment to SMR technology, would promote economic growth and job creation in the UK's nuclear industry.
Jeff Benjamin, Westinghouse senior vice president for new plants and major projects, said: "The ability to locally source the steel, forge, machine and then assemble all of the Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor RPV is a significant finding and builds on our unique offering to the UK government. We are confident that our innovative approach and ability to localise our supply chain and manufacturing in the UK further demonstrates our commitment to developing SMR technology in the UK."
Mike Tynan, chief executive officer of the Nuclear AMRC, added: "The results of this manufacturing study demonstrate the important role that Nuclear AMRC can play in identifying efficiencies within the advanced manufacturing process to significantly reduce capital costs and drive project savings, whilst also highlighting key opportunities for the UK supply chain which can only benefit the UK economy."
Westinghouse has a facility in Preston that is a strategic national asset, employing more than 1,000 staff. It allows for SMR fuel to be manufactured locally, something no other SMR technology provider currently offers.
Westinghouse is in dialogue with a number of UK flagship companies who have offered support for the SMR concept.
Westinghouse website
Nuclear AMRC website
Images: Westinghouse
With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.
In the Autumn spending review, George Osborne announced new funding to develop SMRs in the UK. The Nuclear AMRC is working with the principal technology vendors in support of their drive for a UK small modular reactor and with companies across the UK to help them seize existing opportunities and be ready for the potential of technologies such as SMRs.
SMRs promise to be much more affordable in the UK than the large scale reactors planned for projects like Hinkley Point C, which has struggled to secure investors and has strike prices inflated by the expense of financing the multi billion pound project.
Based in Pennyslvania and now owned by Toshiba, Westinghouse bid to partner with the UK Government to deploy its SMR technology last year – a move that would advance the UK from buyer to global provider of the latest nuclear energy technology.
Advertisement
The Nuclear AMRC manufacturing study focused on reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) – one of the largest and most demanding parts of any reactor. Westinghouse's SMR design is a 225 MWe integral pressurised water reactor with all primary components located inside the reactor vessel.
The study determined that Westinghouse's use of UK advanced manufacturing techniques offers a potential 50% reduction in delivery lead times and offers substantial cost savings to SMR manufacturing. The UK's strong nuclear supply chain, as well as Westinghouse's commitment to SMR technology, would promote economic growth and job creation in the UK's nuclear industry.
Jeff Benjamin, Westinghouse senior vice president for new plants and major projects, said: "The ability to locally source the steel, forge, machine and then assemble all of the Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor RPV is a significant finding and builds on our unique offering to the UK government. We are confident that our innovative approach and ability to localise our supply chain and manufacturing in the UK further demonstrates our commitment to developing SMR technology in the UK."
Mike Tynan, chief executive officer of the Nuclear AMRC, added: "The results of this manufacturing study demonstrate the important role that Nuclear AMRC can play in identifying efficiencies within the advanced manufacturing process to significantly reduce capital costs and drive project savings, whilst also highlighting key opportunities for the UK supply chain which can only benefit the UK economy."
Westinghouse has a facility in Preston that is a strategic national asset, employing more than 1,000 staff. It allows for SMR fuel to be manufactured locally, something no other SMR technology provider currently offers.
Westinghouse is in dialogue with a number of UK flagship companies who have offered support for the SMR concept.
Westinghouse website
Nuclear AMRC website
Images: Westinghouse
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