News: Latest research into fusion technology in Rotherham is super cool

Frozen temperatures are required for the latest research into fusion technology taking place in Rotherham.

Researchers at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) are supporting the development of components needed to deliver fusion power in the UK.

At its Fusion Technology Facility (FTF) on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, UKAEA has unveiled their latest test rig, ELSA, which uses extreme temperatures to inform engineering and design under fusion-relevant plant conditions.

Like its animated namesake, ELSA produces temperatures on a cryogenic scale between 20 and 70 Kelvin (-253.15 to -203.15 degrees Celsius) to simulate the operating temperatures for the high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets.

HTS coils are critical to confining and shaping the plasma within a fusion machine, by generating high magnetic fields with very little resistive losses. UKAEA engineers are looking to achieve resistances of one millionth of that found in consumer electronics. Lowering the temperature for the strongest magnetic fields requires the lowest possible energy use, reducing operational costs and supporting the commercialisation of fusion energy.

ELSA is currently testing novel ‘remountable joint’ (RMJ) components which feature extremely low electrical resistance, and will be essential for efficient maintenance of future fusion power plants.

RMJs are part of a fusion machine’s toroidal field coils, which confine the plasma. They are fitted around the magnetic cage of a tokamak to allow rapid access for maintenance during plant operations.

This novel RMJ design forms a critical part of the UK’s STEP Programme, a prototype fusion energy power plant that is to be built in West Burton, North Nottinghamshire, targeting operations for 2040. RMJs are critical for the success of STEP Fusion as they will allow rapid access for maintenance during power plant operations.

The delivery of the STEP Programme itself is the responsibility of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UKAEA.

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UKIFS’s Remountable Joints Engineering Manager, Chris Lamb said: "Remountable joints, and other aspects of High Temperature Superconducting magnet technology require cryogenic facilities like ELSA to test various aspects of the technologies, and are few and far between. Having the ELSA facility come online at the Fusion Technology Facility, on the doorstep of both STEP’s West Burton site and the rich vein of manufacturing capability at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, will be fantastic in helping the engineers get up close and personal with realising these critical HTS technologies.

Professor Matt Stephenson, Head of the UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility added: "Here in South Yorkshire, we are tasked with answering the ‘how?’ in the delivery of commercially viable fusion energy. Our team is working hard to test and provide accurate results that inform us of the optimal environments and materials for durable power plant design. This work also involves looking into the most cost-effective solutions to ensure fusion energy is achieved and maintained sustainably."

A recent report by Amion, on behalf of Local Authorities in the area, estimated that the STEP project would lead to 6,500 jobs on site when the power plant is fully functional – and more during the construction phases, as well as leading to significant infrastructure investment in the wider area for transport and skills. The STEP campus is expected to become a global centre for fusion research and development, working with local education providers to develop a pathway into fusion-related jobs.

The success of STEP in demonstrating this commercial viability will pave the way for the development of a fleet of fusion power plants around the world.

Dr James Cowan, STEP Programme Director at UKIFS underlines the importance of collaboration. He said: "Harnessing the power of the stars to generate clean, sustainable energy on earth requires meaningful collaboration across scientific, engineering and construction disciplines. UKIFS is committed to bringing the best people, and organisations together to deliver STEP, and ELSA is a perfect example of this approach in action."

The facility allows collaboration between leaders in industry and fusion research institutions to test and engineer hard-wearing, purpose-built components. FTF opened in 2020 and is responsible for 85 UKAEA staff who support component design, qualification and supply chain development for commercial fusion power. Operations continue to expand, providing increasing opportunities for the local workforce.

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News: Local providers step up to fusion skills challenge

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) have announced a new twenty-year collaboration to advance fusion energy training and skills development.

UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit. The Authority selected the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham as a location for its £22m, 25,000 sq ft fusion energy research facility that opened in 2021.

The collaboration will focus on developing and delivering fusion related skills, including apprenticeships and wider vocational training programmes, to support the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project – the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant that will be built on the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.

This new collaboration will not only provide crucial skills for STEP but also support a growing fusion industry across the region.

The collaboration will deliver fusion-relevant courses through existing training sites across the East Midlands, South Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. Colleges, training providers, and universities are already mobilising to offer more places for construction and clean energy qualifications, gearing up the region to deliver on its emerging inclusive growth strategy even before the West Burton facility is in place.

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UKAEA’s Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER (Fusion, Opportunities, Skills, Training, Education and Research) Programme Director, Nick Walkden, said: “People are the most important element of any programme or project. We have listened and learned from other major research, engineering, and infrastructure projects and believe that an early and focussed attention to local skills and workforce growth will be a critical enabler to success.

“STEP is a programme with global impact and, as with the successive Governments who have recognised fusion’s potential to have a significant and positive impact on the nation’s economy, we are equally committed to leaving a lasting local legacy. The training provided will equip people across the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire with the skills needed for the prototype fusion powerplant at West Burton as well as long-term career opportunities in fusion and beyond.”

Jason Austin, CEO & Principal of the RNN Group, which has facilities in Rotherham and North Nottinghamshire, added: “This collaboration marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to align education with the future of clean energy. As a local education leader, I’m proud that our institutions will be at the heart of delivering the skills needed for the UK’s first prototype fusion power plant.

"From advanced engineering to cutting-edge construction training, we’re preparing our learners not just for jobs – but for meaningful careers in a globally significant industry. This partnership ensures our region’s young people and adult learners alike have a direct pathway into the green economy of tomorrow.”

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News: Rolls-Royce SMR selection "good news for Rotherham" says MP

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has welcomed the announcement that Rolls-Royce SMR has been named as the selected technology in the Great British Nuclear (GBN) small modular reactor (SMR) competition.

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.

The UK’s next generation of nuclear power stations will be designed and built by a British company, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the supply chain and creating growth for the economy.

In Rotherham, the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), has been working for over a decade to support the development of SMRs in the UK. With the Nuclear AMRC now subsumed by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the work continues.

In partnership with Rolls-Royce, a Module Development Facility is being housed within the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 building in Sheffield, that will produce working prototypes of the individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants. The first phase is worth £2.7m and will be part of a wider £15m+ package.

Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected by GBN to build three SMR units in the UK. The decision is expected to help the business retain its crucial first mover advantage in a market that is growing and attracting significant international interest.



Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Chris Cholerton, said: “This is a day to celebrate a milestone achievement. This success is testament to our incredible team which has developed a world-leading technology and worked tirelessly over the last two years to ensure we could provide a winning tender to GBN.

“As well as delivering affordable, clean energy to support our nation’s energy independence – deploying three of our units will drive domestic growth by creating thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs and supply chain opportunities. We are the only SMR company with multiple commitments to build projects in Europe, testament to our differentiated design and compelling offer."

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Ben Morgan, interim chief executive officer at the University of Sheffield AMRC, added: “This is a truly fantastic outcome, representing a powerful signal to the world that our nation is committed to a clean, secure energy future and shows global investors that Britain is building and providing a massive opportunity for manufacturers and for those seeking high-skilled jobs.

“The AMRC, which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, has been actively working with Rolls-Royce SMR for many years to solve the complex manufacturing challenges central to their SMR design.

“Rolls-Royce SMR’s selection is a brilliant illustration of how strategic innovation, collaborative research and a shared vision can not only accelerate technological development but also unlock monumental industrial opportunities for the UK. The AMRC is proud to be at the heart of this industrial renaissance with Rolls-Royce SMR.”

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said that it was "excellent news" that is "set to directly benefit Rotherham and the research facilities at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre."

She added: "Rolls Royce’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR), has been selected to deliver the UK's first ever SMRs in a new era of nuclear power. There is also investment in our world leading fusion, with research taking place in Rotherham’s UK Atomic Energy Authority.

"Today’s announced Rolls Royce project alone could support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction and power the equivalent of around 3 million of today’s homes.

"Rotherham, and the talent, expertise and creativity we can provide, is now established on the international stage."

Whilst research and development continues, Rolls-Royce has yet to decide on where the modules will be built. The modular approach is unique within the nuclear industry but is widely used and well proven across the oil and gas and renewables sectors.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce announced a shortlist of locations for the first of three factories. South Yorkshire was not on the this list for a factory that would manufacture the "heavy vessels" used in a SMR power station, The other two factories will manufacture civils modules and mechanical electrical and plumbing (MEP) modules – which will be transported to sites and assembled into a nuclear power station that will generate 470MW of low-carbon electricity.

Rolls-Royce was progressing plans for a new Rotherham factory in 2012 that would manufacture and assemble power vessels for the next generation of nuclear power stations. "Project PoWer" was due to create hundreds of jobs alongside its £110m turbine casting facility on the AMP but delays in the large scale nuclear sector means that the remaining land bought by Rolls-Royce remains undeveloped.

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News: Former Nuclear AMRC staff move over to AMRC

A new team made up of former staff at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) has been created at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Multimillion pound Rotherham facilities have been retained.

Rothbiz reported last year on Nuclear AMRC staff being told of proposed redundancies with only core research & development activities to be retained by the organisation, also part of the University of Sheffield.

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.

Based at the AMRC's cluster of research and innovation centres in Rotherham and Sheffield, the new group enhances the AMRC's existing nuclear sector capability and supports its nationally important role in de-risking investment in new technologies that can accelerate and drive manufacturing innovation into the sector.

The group of talented engineers and researchers bring decades of experience with them and build on the research and innovation of the former Nuclear AMRC at its Rotherham facility, which was retained by the University along with more than £35m of production-scale manufacturing equipment to ensure R&D project delivery for the sector continues.

42 members of staff formally transferred into the AMRC to create the new nuclear manufacturing group, following a consultation. The Nuclear AMRC employed over 100 staff.

The team has already had good success in securing new work of scale in recent months in support of the nuclear sector, and is building on existing and ongoing collaborations with the likes of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Sandvik, Cavendish, Nuclear Transport Solutions, EPRI and Deep Isolation.

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The new group is the eighth at the AMRC, which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult national network or research centres. It adds to the University of Sheffield and AMRC's existing and expanding portfolio of nuclear-related activity, which includes the AMRC's partnership and project work with Rolls-Royce SMR to manufacture and test prototype modules to be assembled into small modular reactors.

Ben Morgan, interim chief executive officer at the AMRC, said: "Nuclear energy is a vital component of the pathway to net zero and effectively harnessed, it can bring high value growth across many parts of the UK. This group will significantly bolster our offering to the sector and help industry to deliver through research and innovation.

"The AMRC and the wider University has a strong track record of providing R&D inputs into the nuclear energy sector on a range of capabilities from new build, to waste, to decommissioning.

"We have been working with Rolls-Royce SMR to de-risk its manufacturing approach which could have a significant UK economic impact as this world-leading technology comes on stream, hopefully in the coming months.

"Our priority looking ahead will be to ensure that the investment in these technologies delivers significant economic benefit for the UK, and in particular regions across the UK."

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News: Holtec selects South Yorkshire for Small Modular Reactor factory

South Yorkshire is set to become the new home of US nuclear energy company, Holtec’s planned new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) factory - a £1.5bn investment that is set to create hundreds of well-paid and highly-skilled jobs.

Earlier this week, the US’ largest nuclear components exporter signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ‘Cooperation on Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Technology’ with The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) on a visit which took in facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The MoU shows Holtec's desire to service the UK domestic market with R&D, jobs and a fully integrated supply chain. Holtec’s SMR factory targets 70% of materials, components, and services are procured within the UK, and particularly South Yorkshire, meaning significant supply chain opportunities.

After a process that involved 13 locations which were shortlisted down to four around the UK, Holtec Britain – who have been working at Sizewell B for over 15 years and in the UK for nearly 30 years – chose South Yorkshire as the location for its new SMR factory to serve the UK, Europe and the Middle East.

Holtec’s decision comes after Rolls-Royce SMR also chose South Yorkshire to become the home of its new multi-million pound facility earlier this year. Rolls-Royce SMR will manufacture and test prototype modules for SMRs in South Yorkshire further strengthening the region’s clean tech cluster.

Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “In South Yorkshire, we’re building on hundreds of years of innovation and engineering heritage to create world leading facilities, skills and expertise today; assets that will power the clean energy transition in the UK and beyond. We are right at the cutting edge of the new nuclear, hydrogen and sustainable aviation sectors, and proud to be home to the largest clean tech sector in the UK.

"That’s why Holtec have chosen South Yorkshire as the home of their £1.5bn manufacturing facility, because they recognise we are the new home of the emerging clean energy sector in this country. Their decision to invest in South Yorkshire has the potential to support hundreds of high-paying jobs, while their SMR Learning Academy will help train the next generation of nuclear engineers and experts.

"I promised to deliver a clean energy transformation and this decision is just more evidence of the huge and increasingly rapid progress we’re making.”

Gareth Thomas, Director at Holtec Britain, added: “South Yorkshire overcame stiff competition from other areas of the UK to be our preferred location for our advanced SMR factory.

“Holtec Britain was impressed by the resounding interest in our new SMR factory across the UK and the strong support received by the local authorities during our engagements. However, after a rigorous process, South Yorkshire was finally selected as our preferred location.

"In addition to the technical, supply chain, training, and logistics criteria for the formal evaluation, we were also impressed by the history and pride of the people we met during our visit to South Yorkshire, which demonstrated the workforce really cares about the quality and reputation of their work. For Holtec, that translates to a workforce that can be trained and will remain committed to delivering the high-quality nuclear products that Holtec, and our customers, demand.

"Holtec has been part of the nuclear ecosystem in this country for many years and is absolutely committed to creating high-quality local jobs, supply chain opportunities and partnerships that will help South Yorkshire and the UK grow and prosper. Our new UK factory is central to that commitment. Holtec is working to finalise its factory business plan to support its Final Investment Decision, based on its UK and international order book.

“Holtec’s SMR-300 is a PWR reactor enabling the factory to also produce large naval reactor components to not only support the country’s energy security, but also its national security."

A location within South Yorkshire has yet to be announced. Holtec's website states that it will be a 20 Ha factory that would produce 2-4 reactors per year, valued at £1-2 billion each. Construction will generate around 3,600 jobs, and manufacturing will sustain up to 400 jobs annually.

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News: Redundancy threat at Nuclear AMRC

Staff at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) have been told of proposed redundancies with only core research & development activities to be retained.

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.

Hailed as being "fundamental in making the difference in the UK and winning vital orders" by the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Sir Keith Burnett, the insitution, and current vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts, appear to be scaling back the centre as the wider industry suffers delays in both large and smaller scale nuclear investment projects.

Construction of the 86,000 sq ft centre at Waverley begun in November 2010. With over 100 staff, the workshop includes a range of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment tailored for nuclear industry applications. The building also includes laboratory and technical support space, a VR cave for virtual assembly research and training.

With funding from industrial members (reactor providers such as Westinghouse, and top-tier suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters) and government research and support grants, the centre has also developed a supply chain programme to help UK manufacturers get ready to bid for work in civil nuclear.

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Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, told The Times Higher Education: “To deliver our priorities around clean energy research and innovation, we have proposed changes to the current structure of the Nuclear AMRC. We are actively working to reduce the need for redundancies where possible and we are supporting our staff throughout the change process.

“The plans propose that the Nuclear AMRC’s core manufacturing research and development activities will be retained by the University of Sheffield.

“The proposed changes reflect the university’s key strength in nuclear manufacturing R&D. Our work to support the design and production of small modular reactors will continue to grow and offer significant opportunities for the South Yorkshire region.”

Large scale nuclear projects are behind schedule and over-budget despite a desire to increase nuclear energy capacity. For example, EDF's Hinkley Point C has been delayed by at least a further two years to 2029 at the earliest.

Focus has shifted to small modular reactors (SMRs) as a more deliverable option for nuclear power, but this sector has also been hit by delays.

Earlier this year, Andrew Storer, CEO at tne Nuclear AMRC called for more action. He said: "As many of the companies at our recent SMR supply chain events pointed out, they are waiting on decisions from government, Great British Nuclear (GBN) and the top-tier developers on which projects might be going ahead and on what timescale.

"The sooner that decisions are made and transferred to the supply chain, the sooner capability and capacity can be developed."

Rolls-Royce, a company intrinsically linked to the university and region, recenlty committed to a £multi-million Module Development Facility to produce working prototypes of the individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants. The facility is set to be develed inside the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 building in Sheffield and not at the Nuclear AMRC.

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News: UKAEA and University of Sheffield partnership to drive fusion technology

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Sheffield have entered a partnership that is set to drive the development of fusion technology and the UK’s future fusion industry.

The collaboration will see Sheffield appoint two Chairs in fusion research and development. Both roles will establish new research programmes to address global fusion challenges.

The position of Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental engineering challenges in the qualification of components, fabricated assemblies and systems for use within future fusion powerplants.

The position of Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve powerplant performance and the decommissioning and recycling of new materials developed.

Both Chairs will work closely with UKAEA staff and the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which helps to move cutting-edge research from universities into the commercial market.

The University’s Faculty of Engineering will host the two Chairs. UKAEA has chosen to work with the University because of its expertise and strong track record in materials science, engineering and manufacturing research, which are crucial for developing new low-carbon technologies.

As part of the partnership, UKAEA will also collaborate with the University’s UK-leading research in thermal hydraulics - a key research area in the development of fusion as an energy source.

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Dr Amanda Quadling, Director of Materials Research at UKAEA, said: “We are pleased to partner with the University of Sheffield. Their Department of Materials Science and Engineering has a combination of process innovation capabilities, metals performance testing and high calibre microscopy skills which will complement our post-irradiation activities.

“This partnership will help to address intrinsic engineering and materials challenges in order to make fusion energy commercially viable. It will also develop a pipeline of talent for the future of our thriving fusion industry.”

Professor Jim Litster, Vice-President for Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “Here at Sheffield we have a long track record of world-leading research excellence across materials science, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and low-carbon energy research. This is coupled with successful translation into industry and UK government policy.

“Developing strong external partnerships is a key part of our Faculty of Engineering’s strategy. With the University, UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility in Rotherham and the STEP prototype fusion powerplant site at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, all in relatively close proximity to one another, the partnership will develop a strong regional focus on fusion excellence in South Yorkshire and surrounding regions. Harnessing the research strength of northern universities, such as ours at Sheffield, is crucial if the UK is going to transition to low-carbon energy sources and protect its energy supply over the long-term.”

It is expected the two positions will attract collaborations from a wider range of industrial partners who will be able to sponsor students and work in partnership with them on research projects.

Stephen Wheeler, Director of Fusion Technology, UKAEA, said: ”The challenge of how we test and qualify components for future use in a fusion environment is critical for the delivery of a fusion powerplant. Partnering with the University of Sheffield to launch a new Chair in this field will accelerate the application of cutting edge techniques from across all sectors of engineering and the development of new experimental and digital techniques specific to fusion.

“The UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, South Yorkshire, is enabling us to access and grow regional capabilities to support the delivery of fusion. This includes local skills development from schools to universities and also the world class capabilities within the local manufacturing supply chain. We look forward to accessing the University of Sheffield’s expertise in engineering testing and qualification to enhance our national programme.”

Along with many other framework agreements with universities and industry partners, the agreement aims to bolster the UK’s strong position in commercialising fusion energy as a major source of low carbon electricity for the second half of this century.

Fusion is the process which occurs at the centre of stars; it is the source of light and heat emitted by the Sun.

Finance invested in fusion energy enables new materials and technologies to be developed that can benefit not just fusion energy, but also a wide range of industries including space, healthcare and decommissioning.

UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit.

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News: Rolls-Royce secures funding for SMR development, Nuclear AMRC ready to make it a reality

The Nuclear AMRC will work with Rolls-Royce on the next phase of its small modular reactor (SMR) development programme, and help prepare critical components for commercial production in the UK.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) is a joint initiative with industry and part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult that is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

This week Rolls-Royce Group, BNF Resources UK Limited and Exelon Generation Limited announced that it would invest £195m across a period of around three years in the SMR project. The funding will enable the business to secure Government grant funding of £210m from UK Research and Innovation funding.

The Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham hosted business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP, the Rolls-Royce SMR team and investors for the launch of the next phase of development.

SMRs promise to be much more affordable in the UK than the large scale reactors planned for projects like Hinkley Point C.

The business, which will continue to seek further investment, will now proceed rapidly with a range of parallel delivery activities, including entry to the UK Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process and identifying sites for the factories which will manufacture the modules that enable on-site assembly of the power plants.

The University of Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC will work with Rolls-Royce SMR to develop the manufacturing capability for a variety of advanced processes, using the state-of-the-art machining, joining and testing facilities of the Nuclear AMRC’s research factory in Rotherham. The centre will also support the design of a new UK factory for large SMR components.

Following this process development, the Nuclear AMRC will continue to work with Rolls-Royce to create a fully integrated pre-production proving facility for SMR manufacturing. The proving facility will be used to manufacture large-scale prototypes of the reactor pressure vessel and its closure head.

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Andrew Storer, CEO of the Nuclear AMRC, says: “The Rolls-Royce SMR can play a huge part in the UK’s journey to net zero emissions. Because it’s designed in the UK and will be manufactured here, it can also help drive the economic revival of our industrial heartlands. As a small factory-built reactor, it’s a much better fit for the current capabilities of the UK nuclear supply chain, which will help us maximise the economic benefits of the energy transition.

“Our task now is to apply the advanced manufacturing technologies that we’ve been developing at the Nuclear AMRC over the past decade, and ensure that as much of the SMR as possible can be made in UK factories, as cost-effectively as possible while meeting all the quality and safety standards expected by nuclear customers and regulators. We’re delighted to play a part in this genuinely world-leading technology development project.”

Nine-tenths of an individual Rolls-Royce SMR power plant will be built or assembled in factory conditions and around 80% could be delivered by a UK supply chain – a unique offering in energy infrastructure in the UK. Much of the venture’s investment is expected to be focused in the North of the UK, where there is significant existing nuclear expertise.

Rolls-Royce acquired land on the AMP in Rotherham for manufacturing facilities. The £110m Advanced Blade Casting Facility is operational but approved plans for a manufacturing facility for large scale nuclear components stalled as the interest in new large scale nuclear power stations cooled.

The entire SMR plant is being designed as a number of modular sub-assemblies which will be manufactured in factories then transported to site for rapid assembly inside a weatherproof canopy. That will cut costs and project risks by avoiding weather disruption, and also secure efficiency savings by using streamlined and standardised manufacturing processes for all its components.

Warren East, Rolls-Royce CEO adds, “the SMR programme is one of the ways that Rolls-Royce is meeting the need to ensure the UK continues to develop innovative ways to tackle the global threat of climate change. With the Rolls-Royce SMR technology, we have developed a clean energy solution which can deliver cost competitive and scalable net zero power for multiple applications from grid and industrial electricity production to hydrogen and synthetic fuel manufacturing. The business could create up to 40,000 jobs, through UK deployment and export enabled growth. As a major shareholder in Rolls-Royce SMR, we will continue to support its path to successful deployment.”

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the UK to deploy more low carbon energy than ever before and ensure greater energy independence. Small Modular Reactors offer exciting opportunities to cut costs and build more quickly, ensuring we can bring clean electricity to people’s homes and cut our already-dwindling use of volatile fossil fuels even further. In working with Rolls-Royce, we are proud to back the largest engineering collaboration the UK has ever seen - uniting some of the most respected and innovating organisations on the planet. Not only can we maximise British content, create new intellectual property and reinvigorate supply chains, but also position our country as a global leader in innovative nuclear technologies we can potentially export elsewhere. By harnessing British engineering and ingenuity, we can double down on our plan to deploy more home-grown, affordable clean energy in this country.”

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News: World-leading nuclear testing facility opens in Rotherham

A ground-breaking new Fusion Technology Facility, which has the capability to test components in the simulated conditions of a fusion power plant, is now open and operating in Rotherham.

The Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) was chosen by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as the ideal location for the new 25,000 sq ft fusion energy research facility, which will create 60 highly skilled jobs in the South Yorkshire area.

The £22m facility will enable the UKAEA to work with industrial partners to put the UK in a strong position to commercialise nuclear fusion as a major source of low-carbon electricity in the years ahead.

The facility received £2.2m investment from the Local Growth Fund (LGF) towards equipment purchase and set-up costs.

Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to welcome UKAEA to the Advanced Manufacturing Park. This is a hugely significant development, which further enhances South Yorkshire’s expertise on a world scale for the development of innovative technologies for the advancement of materials.”

“This facility has the potential to create many high value jobs in the local supply chain as fusion technology matures, as well as a number of high value jobs in the region in the coming months.”

The pioneering facility will be involved with the development of technologies for fusion materials and components and includes the CHIMERA (Combined Heating and Magnetic Research Apparatus) test rig - the only device in the world that has the ability to test prototype components in an environment that simulates the conditions inside a fusion power plant. Within the UKAEA facility, component prototypes will be subjected to a combination of high heat and magnetic field within a vacuum environment, as well as thermal cycling.

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Damon Johnstone, UKAEA’s Head of Operations, Fusion Technology Business Unit and Head of the Fusion Technology Facility, said: “CHIMERA is a unique world-first facility in which we will be able to simulate the extreme conditions found within a fusion power plant, but without any nuclear reactions taking place.

“This will enable a step change in our ability to test components for all UK and international fusion research programmes. It therefore represents a hugely important national capability, enabling industry in the UK and internationally to design, and eventually qualify, components for future commercial fusion power plants.”

Located alongside innovators including Rolls-Royce and McLaren Automotive, the new facility will see UKAEA working with industrial partners as well as the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC).

The facility has been funded as part of the UK government’s Nuclear Sector Deal delivered through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with an additional £2m of investment coming from the Sheffield City Region’s Local Growth Fund.

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News: EDF and Nuclear AMRC to deepen collaboration

EDF has signed a new membership agreement with the Nuclear AMRC to drive innovation in low-carbon power generation and support UK manufacturers.

EDF, Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, has supported the Nuclear AMRC’s development over the past decade, and the new tier one membership strengthens and deepens the relationship between the two organisations.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) is a joint initiative with industry and part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult that is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Collaboration will focus on research and development to deliver the UK’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, and the goal of the Nuclear Sector Deal to reduce the cost of nuclear new build by 30%.

“With COP26 being hosted in the UK later this year, climate change and reducing our carbon emissions is at the forefront of the social and political agenda,” says Dr Ionel Nistor, head of nuclear R&D at EDF. “Nuclear is essential to successfully decarbonise our electricity system as it’s a reliable low-carbon source that can support increased renewables in our energy mix. We look forward to furthering our collaboration with the Nuclear AMRC to ensure the sector continues to innovate and support our efforts to achieve a Net Zero Britain.”

EDF and the Nuclear AMRC will work together in technology areas – including digital twin development, modularisation, and process modelling and simulation – which can reduce costs and improve quality and safety in the construction and operation of nuclear power plant.

“This long-term agreement with EDF will allow us to work together more strategically than before,” says Sean Murphy, Nuclear AMRC strategic relationship manager. “We believe that access to our research and engineering expertise, as well as the wider Nuclear AMRC research network, will be of strong benefit to EDF. Similarly, EDF’s deep industry and R&D knowledge will be extremely valuable to our mission of helping UK manufacturers win work in the nuclear sector.”

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The two organisations will also work together to increase the competitiveness and productivity of the UK nuclear supply chain, and develop strong regional supply chains for Hinkley Point and Sizewell. EDF will continue to support the Nuclear AMRC’s supplier development initiatives, including the Fit For Nuclear (F4N) programme which helps manufacturers meet nuclear customer requirements.

Many F4N-granted companies across the UK have already won significant work packages at Hinkley Point C, including Vessco Engineering (based in South Wales), Capula (Staffordshire), Exyte Hargreaves (Lancashire), and Hardstaff Barriers (Nottingham).

“As part of our community of more than 150 member and F4N companies, EDF can help develop and support deeper supply chain collaborations and partnerships,” Murphy says. “Together we can maximise the opportunities for hundreds of UK manufacturers, including many SMEs, during the building of new low-carbon power plants at Hinkley Point and Sizewell.”

EDF is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, and is Britain’s biggest generator of low-carbon electricity. It operates eight nuclear power stations around the UK, and is constructing the new Hinkley Point C plant in Somerset.

Based around two Framatome EPR reactors generating 3.2GW of electricity, Hinkley Point C will produce around seven per cent of the UK’s electricity when it opens in the middle of this decade. EDF is also now in formal discussions with government on building another two EPRs at Sizewell C in Suffolk.

As a tier one member, EDF will have a seat on the Nuclear AMRC’s programme board and research board to help ensure that the centre’s activities are meeting industry needs. The collaboration will also consider work to support the life extension and eventual decommissioning of EDF’s current fleet of advanced gas-cooled reactors.

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: EDF

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News: CHIMERA makes Rotherham research facility unique

The construction of a unique testing machine for fusion components is underway in Rotherham.

The £22m Fusion Technology Facility being built on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) will enable the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to work with industrial partners to put the UK in a strong position to commercialise nuclear fusion as a major source of low-carbon electricity in the years ahead.

At the heart of the research is a machine known as CHIMERA (Combined Heating and Magnetic Research Apparatus) which is designed to address the specific engineering challenges associated with fusion and validate complex, bespoke and high-risk manufacturing.

When it opens in 2022, CHIMERA will be the only device in the world able to subject critical fusion component prototypes to the combination of high heat flux with static and pulsed magnetic fields within a vacuum or inert atmosphere – an environment representative of a fusion power plant.

Key fusion in-vessel components like the blanket, divertor and diagnostic modules are expected to be tested.

Optical Digital Image Correlation and laser metrology will be used to map 3D surface deformations and damage due to the harsh testing environment. In addition to providing invaluable test results, these and other techniques will be used to generate and synchronise component digital twins – predictive models and simulations that will be crucial to the design and qualification of future fusion power plants. This ‘virtual qualification’ is a key strand of CHIMERA’s capability and will enable virtual testing of components under conditions that cannot be recreated in an experiment.

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Damon Johnstone, UKAEA’s Head of Operations, Fusion Technology Business Unit and Head of the Fusion Technology Facility, said: "CHIMERA is a unique world-first facility in which we will be able to simulate the extreme conditions found within a fusion power plant, but without any nuclear reactions taking place.

"This will enable a step change in our ability to verify and test components for all UK and international fusion research programmes. It therefore represents a hugely important national capability, enabling industry in the UK and internationally to design, and eventually qualify, components for future commercial fusion power plants."

Among the key components engineers want to test durability of are the vessel blankets. These cover the inner wall of the tokamak vacuum vessel (a device inside the reactor designed to harness the energy of fusion) in order to intercept high energy neutrons, protecting the vessel structure, breeding tritium fuel (by nuclear reactions with lithium) and enabling the extraction of fusion power for electricity generation.

The underlying technology remains relatively untested. CHIMERA will not simulate fusion neutron irradiation, nor will it test irradiated components, but by performing "semi-integral" testing in CHIMERA in parallel with advanced numerical simulation and digital twinning, the hope is to accelerate qualification of designs for fusion.

The site will help UK companies win contracts from the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) programme – the key international fusion project being built in the south of France.

A £14.3m contract for the design and construction of CHIMERA has been agreed between UKAEA and global professional services firm, Jacobs.

UKAEA website

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News: New nuclear opportunities for the region

Rotherham is an established location for research in the nuclear sector, could the next step for the borough be further manufacturing facilities for components that go into the new kinds of nuclear power stations, or even a location for the stations themselves?

The Nuclear AMRC, which has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, has welcomed news this week that the UK SMR consortium, led by Rolls-Royce, has announced it expects to create 6,000 regional UK jobs within the next five years, if the UK Government makes a clear commitment that enables a fleet of 16 small modular reactor (SMR) power stations to be built over the next 20 years.

The 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. It makes up part of the SMR consortium that is developing a new kind of power station designed to avoid the financing hurdles of large-scale infrastructure and power projects, and to reduce production costs by exploiting advanced manufacturing technologies.

Rolls-Royce said that up to 80% (by value) of the power station components will be made in factories in the Midlands and North of England, before being transported to existing nuclear sites around the country for rapid assembly inside weatherproof canopies.

Rolls-Royce bought large parcels of land on the AMP and on one of them it secured planning permission for a facility where it wanted to manufacture, assemble and test components for civil nuclear power stations. With the difficulties of getting large scale nuclear power stations built, the manufacturer's plans were scrapped.

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Nuclear AMRC communications manager Tim Chapman said: "The consortium aims to have its first power station in operation within ten years of a first commercial order. That's a demanding schedule, considering the engineering and supply chain challenges of designing and producing a first-of-a-kind reactor, and the need to go through the UK’s generic design assessment (GDA) and site approval process.

"As well as providing firm low-carbon electricity, development of the UK SMR could also provide a major economic fillip to some of the UK's most economically depressed regions.

"To start with, it's likely that any UK SMR will be built on a current nuclear licenced site, such as the former Magnox site at Trawsfynydd in North Wales or Moorside in Cumbria.

"By 2050, a full UK programme of up to 16 of these power stations could create up to 40,000 jobs and £52 billion of value to the UK economy. Developing an SMR in the UK could also create an estimated £250 billion of exports – Rolls-Royce is already working with overseas utilities to explore deployment."

The UK Atomic Energy Authority's (UKAEA) new nuclear fusion technology research facility, built ahead of schedule on the AMP, is currently being fitted out. The UKAEA is working on fusion technology, which is the furthest away from full commercialisation, and will use the facility to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components – for example novel metals and ceramics.

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The Government body recently set out its intention later in autumn to publish a detailed site specification for the development of a new Nuclear Fusion Reactor prototype.

Based on South Yorkshire's credentials, the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership is ready to pitch to the UKAEA "setting out the capabilities of the region from a research, engineering, manufacturing, construction and civil engineering perspective as well as a potential site location for the UKAEA prototype fusion reactor facility."

Nuclear AMRC website
UKAEA website

Images: Rolls-Royce

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News: Nuclear AMRC continues to help UK manufacturers

The Nuclear AMRC is part of four new manufacturing R&D projects supported by the Nuclear Innovation Programme, and working with two advanced modular reactor developers which have secured UK government funding.

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.

The latest projects are part of a £40m funding package to kickstart the development of next-generation nuclear technologies and unlock thousands of jobs in the low-carbon energy sector, as part of the Nuclear Sector Deal launched in 2018.

Around £5m total has been awarded to seven new R&D projects through the Nuclear Innovation Programme. All the collaborative projects are led by UK companies, including several SMEs.

The Nuclear AMRC is part of four projects:

- Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock and a member of the Nuclear AMRC, is leading the Awesim project to develop automated inspection and monitoring techniques for high-quality welding. The proposed technology will enable early detection of flaws as they occur, reducing rework, repair and removing redundant mid-stage weld inspections, with significant cost and time benefits in the manufacture of nuclear components. The project will draw on researchled by the Nuclear AMRC in the Simple project (pictured above), with a factory-scale demonstrator to be built at the centre's Rotherham facility as part of the new project.

- Createc is leading research to improve the safety and performance of weld radiography. The Cumbrian company will work with the Nuclear AMRC and TSP Engineering to combine 3D position-sensing techniques with autonomous robotics for an in-process radiographic system which is is safer, less obstructive and has higher performance than other established techniques for industrial weld inspection.

- Laser Additive Solutions (LAS) is leading the SonicSMR project to develop high-quality additive manufacturing techniques for small modular reactor components. The project will use power ultrasonics, optical process monitoring and AI-based automated defect recognition to enable defect-free additive manufacturing, with LAS creating a fully operational additive cell at its Doncaster facility to demonstrate the technology. The Nuclear AMRC will lead research into high-power ultrasonics to improve the components’ material properties.

- Nuclear Energy Components is leading the PITCO2C project to quantify the benefits of supercritical carbon dioxide coolant for nuclear machining, and develop a rotary coolant adaptor to allow widespread deployment of the technology on legacy machine tools. Supercritical CO2 coolants offer significant improvements in material removal rates, cost savings and reduction in environmental impact. The project builds on the Nuclear AMRC's previous research into advanced coolants for nuclear applications, including part of the Inform project.

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In the second phase of the government's advanced modular reactor (AMR) competition, three companies have been awarded £10m each to bring their AMRs closer to market.

- Westinghouse is developing a lead-cooled fast reactor, a high-temperature fission reactor which allows flexible generation to balance intermittent renewable sources. Westinghouse UK, based at Springfields near Preston, will collaborate with 10 companies and research institutions including the Nuclear AMRC.

- U-Battery, a subsidiary of Urenco, is working on a small high-temperature gas-cooled fission reactor for industrial applications including hydrogen production. The project is supported by UK companies and organisations including the Nuclear AMRC.

- Tokamak Energy is developing the ST40 spherical tokamak fusion reactor, which exploits high-temperature superconductor technology to achieve the temperatures required for fusion.

Nadhim Zahawi, Minister for Business and Industry, said: "Advanced modular reactors are the next step in nuclear energy and have the potential to be a crucial part of tackling carbon emissions and climate change. Through this vital research, the technology could also create thousands more green collar jobs for decades to come."

Tim Bestwick, chief technology officer at the UKAEA, which is building a new research facility alongside the Nuclear AMRC in Rotherham, added: "This is really good news – not just for Tokamak Energy, but also for the wider fusion community. This £10m Advanced Modular Reactor award recognises the potential importance of fusion in future low-carbon energy generation, and illustrates the depth of talent in this field in the UK."

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Tokamak Energy

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News: New Rotherham nuclear centre "a truly unique facility"

You don't have to claim to understand it, just know that a £22m fusion energy research facility set to open in Rotherham next year will be truly unique.

The centre currently under construction on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham will enable the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to work with industrial partners to put the UK in a strong position to commercialise nuclear fusion as a major source of low-carbon electricity in the years ahead.

The key role of the facility will be to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components – for example novel metals and ceramics. These will then be tested and evaluated under conditions simulating the inside of a fusion reactor. At its heart will be a new CHIMERA (Combined Heating and Magnetic Research Apparatus) facility which will be used by engineers with the creativity to design power stations of the future.

The site will help UK companies win contracts from the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) programme – the key international fusion project being built in the south of France.

A £14.3m contract for the design and construction of CHIMERA has been agreed between UKAEA and global professional services firm, Jacobs.

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Designing components to survive under reactor conditions is one of the key technological challenges engineers face in making nuclear fusion commercially viable. In addition, manufactured components or systems may require some form of qualification to ensure they meet requirements and perform as designed. The new CHIMERA facility is being constructed to address these needs.

Engineers describe CHIMERA as a "unique component loading machine", and it will enable testing of large component prototypes up to 1.8m tall. It will enable industrial partners to test prototype components giving them a head start in the commercialisation of fusion energy.

Tom Barrett, CHIMERA Technical Lead at UKAEA, said: "We're very pleased and excited to welcome Jacobs as our system integrator, they have a tremendous team who have already done impressive work and I have no doubt that they will successfully deliver a world-class testing facility. In CHIMERA we are building a truly unique facility which will benefit the UK but also promises to boost worldwide efforts for fusion technology."

Among the key components engineers want to test durability of are the vessel blankets. These cover the inner wall of the tokamak vacuum vessel (a device inside the reactor designed to harness the energy of fusion) in order to intercept high energy neutrons, protecting the vessel structure, breeding tritium fuel (by nuclear reactions with lithium) and enabling the extraction of fusion power for electricity generation.

The underlying technology remains relatively untested. CHIMERA will not simulate fusion neutron irradiation, nor will it test irradiated components, but by performing "semi-integral" testing in CHIMERA in parallel with advanced numerical simulation and digital twinning, the hope is to accelerate qualification of designs for fusion.

Damon Johnstone, Head of UKAEA Yorkshire, said: "This is a huge milestone for Fusion Technology and represents the sustained efforts of the Jacobs and UKAEA team to make this ground-breaking capability a reality. The collaborative approach adopted is exemplary – we have the foundations of a high performing project. We are moving forward with pace and I have full confidence we have the team to deliver."

UKAEA Yorkshire and the CHIMERA machine are planned to come online in February 2022.

UKAEA website

Images: UKAEA

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News: AMRC weaving a way to fusion energy

A 3D woven composite component, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures inside a fusion nuclear reactor, is being developed at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The project is in collaboration with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) as part of the effort to accelerate the delivery of limitless zero-carbon fusion energy and is a precursor to the authority's move into a new £22m research facility alongside AMRC facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The AMRC is a world leading model partnership between industry and academia that focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. Its Design and Prototyping Group (DPG), develops everything from conceptual designs, to fully functional prototypes for a range of industries.

The UKAEA is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power with the mission to lead the commercial development of fusion power and related technology and position the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

Exploring how composite materials could produce components that are stiffer, lighter and easier to manufacture that those currently in use, but which retain the necessary capabilities is important to the UKAEA's work in developing the next generation of magnetic confinement reactor called a tokamak.

In a reactor, fusion occurs when two types of hydrogen atoms, tritium and deuterium, collide at enormously high speeds to create helium and release a high energy neutron. Once released, the neutron interacts with a much cooler breeder blanket to absorb the energy. This must capture the energy of the neutrons to generate power, but also prevent the neutrons escaping.

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Steffan Lea, research fellow at the AMRC Composite Centre (pictured), said: "Currently, their steel modules are limited to approximately 500˚C so UKAEA asked us if there was anything we could do to get it up to 600˚C. We set out to see what materials we could use, that would enable higher temperature operation."

Engineers at the AMRC proposed to make use of high performance ceramic composite materials and to form a unitised 3D woven structure with additive manufacture components. The cooling tubes in the breeder blanket would be integrated into the material and 3D printed parts used to define features such as connectors and manifolds.

Senior Project Manager at the AMRC’s Design and Prototyping Group, Joe Palmer, was involved in the design of the component demonstrator, and said: "We wanted to maximise the available surface area for heat transfer while being as lightweight as possible, but ensure it occupied a similar volume to the existing breeder blanket designs.

"To achieve a lightweight, temperature resistant structure, a silicon carbide composite material was chosen for the breeder blanket, with the internal flow channels being created by forming the composite around a disposable core."

With a computer-aided design (CAD) model produced, Chris McHugh, Dry Fibre Development Manager at the AMRC Composite Centre, then created a weave design for the composite. Chris explained: "The design I created had multiple weave zones and had multiple layer weaves. The structure needed holes robust enough to include tubes and needed to maintain the preform shape without distortion.

"What we were able to produce on the loom was a 3D woven structure with pockets for the 3D-printed tubes which could be formed into a ridged component."

The initial concept was successfully demonstrated and work is set to continue on silicon carbide composite development so that a demonstrator can be tested inside a reactor test facility.

AMRC website
UKAEA website

Images: ITER / AMRC

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News: Contractors appointed for UKAEA's new £22m Rotherham facility

A £22m fusion energy research facility in Rotherham is nearing reality with the signing of a lease and the appointment of a construction contractor.

Rothbiz reported first that the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham was being scouted by the UK government research organisation.

The key role of the facility will be to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components. It will bring 40 highly skilled jobs to the area, as well as work with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC).

Landowner, Harworth, agreed a 20-year pre-let with the UKAEA for a 25,000 sq ft bespoke facility where the agreed rent is in line with existing headline rents for the AMP.

Harworth Group has appointed Sheffield-based contractor and developer JF Finnegan to construct the new building.

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This project adds to JF Finnegan's growing portfolio of work carried out in the Sheffield city region for the research, development and manufacturing sectors. Previous schemes include Mclaren's Composite Technology Centre, two units for Castings Technology International, a production facility, offices and subsequent extension for Newburgh Engineering, new machinery facility for ATI Allvac plus working with The University of Sheffield on three state-of-the-art research facilities (known as LVV, RTC & ICAIR) for the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

JF Finnegan previously completed units 7 and 8 on the AMP for Harworth Group.

Gary Smith, managing director of JF Finnegan, said: "We are delighted primarily to be working with The Harworth Group again in an area where we have operated extensively in the last ten years. We feel privileged to be appointed to design and construct a facility that will be utilized to research energy and related technologies."

The UKAEA will be running a series of supply chain events during 2020 to showcase its major projects and highlight the contract opportunities they offer.

UKAEA website
JF Finnegan website

Images: Harris Partnership

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News: £22m Rotherham test facility will engage UK industry in the drive for fusion energy

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has confirmed that it will open a £22m fusion energy research facility in Rotherham next year.

Rothbiz reported first that the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham was being scouted by the UK government research organisation.

The facility will see UKAEA working with industrial partners to put the UK in a strong position to commercialise nuclear fusion as a major source of low-carbon electricity in the years ahead.

Located at the heart of the UK's advanced manufacturing region, the UKAEA base will bring 40 highly-skilled jobs and foster increased collaboration with research organisations including the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC).

Plans have already been submitted for the new research facility up to 22,300 sq ft of floorspace with first floor office floorspace (2,100 sq ft). It will be funded as part of the Government's Nuclear Sector Deal delivered through the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. An additional £2m of investment is coming from Sheffield City Region's (SCR's) Local Growth Fund.

The key role of the facility will be to develop and test joining technologies for fusion materials and components – for example novel metals and ceramics. These will then be tested and evaluated under conditions simulating the inside of a fusion reactor (including high heat flux, in-vacuum, and strong magnetic fields).

The site will help UK companies win contracts as part of ITER – the key international fusion project being built in the south of France. Looking further ahead, it will enable technology development for the first nuclear fusion power plants, which are already being designed.

The facility will require regular supplies of specialist metals and materials – providing further opportunities for regional companies in the UK.

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Colin Walters, director of the National Fusion Technology Platform at UKAEA, said: "Momentum is growing in fusion research and we believe the opening of this facility in South Yorkshire represents a practical step towards developing power plants.

"This facility will provide fantastic opportunities for UK businesses to win contracts and put UKAEA in a great position to help deliver the necessary expertise for the first nuclear fusion power stations."

Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Sheffield City Region Mayor, added: "The Sheffield City Region is a growing hub of innovation, expertise, and knowledge.

"These qualities are among the reasons why the UKAEA have chosen to open a new facility in Rotherham, supported by Local Growth funding from the Sheffield City Region.

"As well as creating new skilled jobs and opportunities for collaboration with the nearby research centres, this facility will create opportunities for other businesses as specialist suppliers, boosting the region's economy and highlighting our world-leading specialisms in advanced manufacturing."

Andrew Storer, CEO of the Nuclear AMRC, added: "We're delighted to welcome UKAEA to the Advanced Manufacturing Park, and to the Sheffield region's world-leading cluster of applied innovation. We look forward to working with UKAEA at their new facility to develop manufacturing techniques for fusion power plants and help UK manufacturers win work in this growing global market.

"This development has the potential to create many jobs in the local supply chain as fusion technology matures. This is a huge deal for Sheffield and the North, and we are really pleased to have played a part in this and to be working with UKAEA."

Sarah Champion MP, added: "This is the latest in a string of major developments at the Park, confirming the site’s reputation as the leading venue for research, development and manufacturing.

"Rotherham, and the skills, creativity and expertise we can provide, are now firmly established on the international stage. With McLaren, Rolls Royce, Boeing and many others already based at the AMP, the future is bright for both the AMP and our local economy. I look forward to welcoming many more organisations to Rotherham in forthcoming years."

UKAEA website

Images: UKAEA / Harris Partnership

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News: Plans in for latest multimillion pound research facility

Plans are progressing that will enable the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to create a new research facility in Rotherham.

Rothbiz reported in June that a £2.2m grant was secured via the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority to support a £22m project to establish a unique research facility in Rotherham employing up to 40 highly skilled jobs.

The UKAEA is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power with the mission to lead the commercial development of fusion power and related technology and position the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. It is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

A planning application has now been submitted by landowners, Harworth Group plc, for a 0.65 hectare site on the Advanced manufacturing Park (AMP) adjacent to McLaren's Composites Technology Centre.

Drawn up by Barton Willmore and Harris Partnership, the reserve matters application is for a new research facility up to 22,300 sq ft of floorspace with first floor office floorspace (2,100 sq ft). Details regarding access, parking, and servicing, landscaping and other infrastructure are also included.

The plans state: "The proposals are for the next phase of the AMP, building on the success of the AMP to date. The proposed development will provide an industrial unit that will offer a high-quality research and development facility and follows on from previous phases of the development which lie adjacent to the Application Site.

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"The Application Site is currently vacant and was formerly in use as part of a larger mining site. It forms part of the expansion land associated with the AMP and is due to be taken over by UKAEA, a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of fusion power. The proposal will establish a unique research facility employing at least 30 highly skilled jobs.

"The project proposes to construct a dedicated building which will be used to develop joining technologies for various materials including novel metals and ceramics, and then to evaluate the materials and components under test conditions that will simulate those that would be experienced inside a fusion device.

"This project, which is currently in development, includes a contribution from the Government's Local Growth Fund resources which is part of the Government's continued investment in the Northern Powerhouse."

The building is designed to create a modern feel to the development that is consistent with the existing plots at the AMP. The materials feature cladding, louvers and high-quality glazing.

The plans conclude: "The proposals offer an exciting opportunity to the area that will further enhance the AMP and continue to assist in the economic development and regeneration of this area including the wider AMID [the wider Sheffield - Rotherham Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District]. This in turn will assist the Borough and Council to positively prepare for growth over the coming plan period. Furthermore, the application is entirely consistent with the area's Enterprise Zone designation and its requirements."

UKAEA website

Images: Harris Partnership

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