Potential of high temperature gas reactors to support the AMR RD&D programme: call for evidence
Detail of outcome
This call for evidence sought views on the government’s preference to explore the potential of High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs) for the Advanced Modular Reactor Research Development & Demonstration (AMR RD&D) Programme.
The call found no significant, additional evidence to materially change the outcome of our underpinning analysis.
As a result, the Programme will focus on High Temperature Gas Reactors with the ambition for this to lead to a HTGR demonstration by the early 2030s at the latest.
We are now developing the scope of the Programme and will communicate the next steps in due course.
In parallel, government continues to support the development of all AMRs as part of wider policy on advanced nuclear activities. This includes:
- opening the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process to advanced nuclear technologies
- developing a siting approach for further nuclear developments
We received 60 responses to this call for evidence from a range of supply chain companies, academic institutions, regional bodies, industry organisations and private individuals. Of these responses:
- 38 were in favour of the government’s preference to support HTGRs for the AMR RD&D programme
- 16 were not in favour
- 6 were neither for nor against
We identified the following key themes:
- support for HTGRs as the best AMR technology solution to help support Net Zero by 2050
- important characteristics of HTGRs including; high temperature heat for industrial processes, high technical maturity, UK’s experience with gas-cooled reactors
- UK supply chain’s capability to support the AMR RD&D Programme to deliver an AMR demonstration by the early 2030s (responses varied on whether the UK supply chain was immediately able to support the programme or would need support and development)
- the use of Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) as a quantitative tool for AMR assessment
- the capability of other non-HTGR technologies and specific AMR designs
- technical topics including: fuel cycle, waste management, high temperature material behaviour and hydrogen production
Original call for evidence
Call for evidence description
The key objective for the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Programme is to demonstrate that AMRs can produce high-temperature heat which could be used for low-carbon hydrogen production, heat for industrial processes and domestic use and cost-competitive electricity generation, in time for any potential commercial AMRs to support net zero by 2050.
The Programme aims to enable an AMR demonstration by the early 2030s to prove the potential of the technology.
AMRs are classed as the next generation of nuclear reactors as they use novel coolants and fuels and typically have higher temperature outputs and smaller power output per unit than more conventional LWRs operational today. This high temperature heat could help unlock the decarbonisation of several energy vectors such as efficient hydrogen production and industrial processes like steel, cement and paper production.
This call for evidence asks:
1. Do you agree with the government’s preference to explore the potential of high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs) to meet the key objective of the Programme?
2. Whether there is any new, additional evidence on other AMR technologies that could meet the key objective of the Programme?
3. How the capability of the UK supply chain could support the Programme?
We welcome views and information from anyone with an interest in advanced modular reactors and innovation in the nuclear sector.
Please read the related NIRO research when responding to the call for evidence: Advanced modular reactors (AMRs): technical assessment
See the BEIS consultation privacy notice.
Please do not send responses by post to the department at the moment as we may not be able to access them.
Documents
Last updated 2 December 2021 + show all updates
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This call for evidence sought views on the government’s preference to explore the potential of High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs) for the Advanced Modular Reactor Research Development & Demonstration (AMR RD&D) Programme. The call found no significant, additional evidence to materially change the outcome of our underpinning analysis. As a result, the Programme will focus on High Temperature Gas Reactors with the ambition for this to lead to a HTGR demonstration by the early 2030s at the latest. We are now developing the scope of the Programme and will communicate the next steps in due course.
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First published.