PROVISION OF A PILOT FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR SKILLS AND INNOVATION RESEARCH CAMPUS

Concepts

• research and development
• energy white paper
• nuclear skills
• advanced nuclear technologies
• provision of a pilot
• innovation research campus
• gap analysis of current r&d skills
• limited research
• lack of indigenous nuclear designs
• pilot programme

Location

Description

The UK needs significant progress to be made in developing advanced nuclear technologies to enable 2050 net zero being met. A number of current market barriers have been identified: • Lack of indigenous nuclear designs and solutions has limited sector export potential • There is limited research and capability in commercialisation / deployment of technologies on a licensed site • Barriers to entry into the nuclear sector exist with large investment requirements and limited visibility of potential returns • There is a coordination failure. Under the 10-point plan and Energy White Paper, Nuclear has been identified as a key part of the future energy system and Net Zero ambition. Whilst a number of sector research portfolios exist, this pilot programme will drive close alignment of activities to: • Support academia, industry partner, government and regulator collaboration on R&D across the UK • Ensure R&D activities are aligned to directly underpin and enable advanced nuclear programmes in government • Ensure the impact of investment (predominantly government but also supporting private) is maximised by being focussed on an end goal, having the correct supply chain and aligned to relevant R&D programmes. • Maximise economic impacts with job creation and export potential This funding will establish a one-year pilot for an advanced nuclear skills and innovation campus. The campus pilot programme will; • Be coordinated by a programme delivery partner (NNL) • Look to improve coordination and focus advanced nuclear energy innovation and high level skills development in the sector • Establish physical collaboration with office and laboratory space on an existing nuclear licensed site (Springfields). • Market engagement and commissioning of seed or match investment in pilot technology development • Perform development and demonstration projects on the site. • Enable virtual collaboration with links to facilities, academia and wider sector skills • Enable knowledge transfer and provide training and on-site experiences to develop high level skills Through delivering the pilot, there will be a better understanding of current and required future development-level research in advanced nuclear energy technologies, and the demand for collaboration in the end-user/developer community. A robust evidence base will also be available to justify future campus requirements and associated business case(s). The campus pilot objectives are: A Gap analysis of current R&D skills and facilities versus those needed for Deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, to inform future collaborations and investment. This will be completed by the end of the campus pilot (31/03/22) and will be in the form of reports provided to BEIS.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services