Advanced Nuclear Technologies
Updated 19 November 2020
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Advanced Nuclear Technologies (otherwise known as small nuclear or small reactor technologies) encompass a wide range of nuclear reactor technologies under development. The technologies share common attributes:
- smaller than conventional nuclear power station reactors
- designed so that much of the plant can be fabricated in a factory environment and transported to site, reducing construction risk and making them less capital-intensive.
Generally advanced nuclear technologies fall into one of 2 groups:
- Generation III water-cooled Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), similar to existing nuclear power station reactors but on a smaller scale
- Generation IV and beyond Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), which use novel cooling systems or fuels to offer new functionality (such as industrial process heat) and potentially a step change reduction in costs
There is a large variety of potential technologies within these groups which span technology types from conventional water-cooled reactors, to Generation IV reactors using novel fuels and coolants, as well as fusion reactor concepts. Given this breadth, government believes that “SMR”, as commonly understood, is too narrow a description for technologies coming forward after the current generation of nuclear power stations. Instead government considers this to be the “Advanced Nuclear” market.
The advanced nuclear sector has the potential to play an important part in the UK’s Industrial Strategy building on our existing economic strengths and competitive advantages in nuclear whilst shaping new advanced nuclear markets and contributing to tackling the Clean Growth Grand Challenge.
Latest news
November 2020: 10 Point Plan
The Prime Minister confirmed this government’s commitment to advancing large, small and advanced reactors as part of our 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
The Advanced Nuclear Fund (up to £385 million) includes:
- funding of up to £215 million for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- up to £170 million for Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs)
In addition, we will invest up to £40 million in developing the regulatory frameworks and supporting UK supply chains to help bring these technologies to market.
The forthcoming Energy White Paper will provide more detail.
10 July 2020: Advanced Nuclear announcement
Nuclear Innovation Programme competition
We have selected the successful organisations for 2 competitions. Find out more:
- Phase 2 of the Advanced Modular Reactor Feasibility and Development project
- Phase 2B of the Advanced Materials & Manufacturing competition
UK-Canada Action Plan – Collaboration on Advanced Nuclear Technologies
Under the auspices of the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Canada signed in 2015 to enhance cooperation on civil nuclear energy, the UK-Canada Nuclear Cooperation Action Plan was signed by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Energy (BEIS) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) in March 2020. See International.
Formation of the Molten Salt Advisory Group
The Molten Salt Advisory Group (MSAG) is a group of the UK’s leading academic experts on the research, development and application of molten salt technologies. This group has been convened by BEIS to provide technical advice, and recommendations on how to most effectively leverage UK capability to support the development and exploitation of molten salt technologies.
UK R&D and Supply Chain Capability for Advanced Modular Reactors
We have commissioned and published a landscape report on the UK’s R&D and Supply Chain capabilities to support AMR technologies. This report outlines the AMR market opportunities and actions that could be taken by government and the nuclear sector to support the domestic development and deployment of AMR technologies.
5 November 2019: Advanced Nuclear Programme grant awards
Government has confirmed the outcome of previously announced Nuclear Innovation Programme and Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund advanced nuclear initiatives, including:
The Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge
£18 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to create a £36 million joint investment with the private sector.
The Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge, proposed by a consortium led by Rolls-Royce, aims to develop a Small Modular Reactor designed and manufactured in the UK capable of producing cost effective electricity. An initial £36 million joint public and private investment will enable the consortium to further develop their design. This is part of a greater bid into the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund worth around £500 million (joint investment with the private sector), subject to future approvals and a final decision to make public investment. The consortium believes that a UK Small Modular Reactor programme can support up to 40,000 jobs at its peak with each Small Modular Reactor capable of powering 750,000 homes.
For further information visit UKRI Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge or contact LCNEOI@innovateuk.ukri.org.
Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
Up to £16 million research and development grants were awarded to help demonstrate advanced manufacturing and construction techniques. For further information visit Nuclear Innovation Programme: Advanced Manufacturing and Materials.
Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle Programme
Further to Phase 1 of the Nuclear Innovation Programme, in August 2019 BEIS and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the NNL to administer the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle theme of the Nuclear Innovation Programme over the next 2 years. For further information, visit the Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme (AFCP) website.
29 October 2019: New guidance on the modernised Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process
The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Environment Agency (EA) recently published new guidance for applicants seeking Generic Design Assessment for new nuclear designs:
- ONR: New GDA guidance for Requesting Parties
- EA: New nuclear power plants: Generic Design Assessment guidance for Requesting Parties
22 July 2019: Energy update
On 22 July 2019 Greg Clark announced an energy update, which included a Regulated Asset Base model consultation for financing nuclear new build, funding for advanced nuclear technologies and an update on modernisation of guidance for developers in respect of Generic Design Assessment.
The announcement included the acceptance by government of the Low Cost Nuclear Challenge into Wave 3 of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Read the press release: Innovative funding models and technologies to drive investment in new wave of low carbon energy.
Framework for Advanced Nuclear Technologies
The UK has consistently been a world leader in nuclear technology and has been at the forefront of many new developments. We have a wealth of expertise and experience both in our national laboratories, Catapults and research centres, and in the wider UK nuclear industry and supply chain.
This has contributed both to the economic prosperity and security of the nation, and to the wider international community. Nuclear technology continues to develop rapidly, with significant programmes of research in new build and decommissioning across the global industry.
To ensure that the UK is leading this innovation, we intend to build on recent announcements and set out a clear direction for advanced nuclear technologies in the UK.
The framework, which continues to be developed, supports advanced nuclear technologies and challenges the industry to bring forward technically and commercially viable propositions that could be developed with private finance.
The framework comprises the following elements:
- financing (including the work of the Expert Finance Working Group)
- the AMR R&D programme
- regulatory readiness
- supply chain development
- land access and siting
International
Canada
The UK and Canada work together closely through many bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including the G7, G20, and the Clean Energy Ministerial. Currently both nations are working together to transition to a more sustainable global economy through collaboration in low-carbon energy, technological innovation, and strong environmental protection.
In March 2020, the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Energy (BEIS) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) signed the UK-Canada Nuclear Cooperation Action Plan. This bilateral framework enables collaboration between BEIS and NRCan, with both governments and nuclear industry stakeholders working together to support advanced nuclear development and deployment, and share best practice and knowledge.
It includes joint activities on Waste Minimisation, Fuel Supply Chain, Advanced Manufacturing, Regulatory Collaboration and Financing of SMRs and will be reviewed annually to monitor progress and foster discussion as part of a UK-Canada Civil Nuclear Dialogue.