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

Descriptions

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.