My role as Chair of the Nuclear Power Committee (NPC) began in October 2005 at a crucial point in the development of the UK's Energy Policy. The Government had indicated that they were now reconsidering the future use of nuclear power within a balanced energy policy and it was up to the industry to put forward credible plans to replace the current fleet of old nuclear power plants with new stations. In addition to the possibility of nuclear power plant construction, the decommissioning market was also developing rapidly with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority now fully functional and significant steps being taken to reduce the nuclear waste liabilities. During this important period of change there is a need to work with other parts of the IMechE's Power Industries Division to ensure that the facts about nuclear power and its future role in 'energy mix' are correctly presented and understood.
Against this backdrop the NPC seeks to organise events that address the most important issues and challenges facing its constituency. In doing so the committee recognises the need to better serve the nuclear aspects of the training and education of the younger members. We are particularly keen to maintain a Young Members Network in order to provide points of contact throughout the industry as a focus for opinion and feedback and would love to hear from more young members who would like to be part of the network.
The NPC also seeks to take an active role in Government Consultations to ensure that the true facts about nuclear power and nuclear waste are presented truthfully and in an impartial manner. Through collaboration with the Fossil Fuel and Renewables committees in the Power Industries Division, we have developed a close understanding of the relative merits of each of our chosen technologies, all of which have a valued role to play in the energy mix.
The NPC also represents the IMechE's interest as a Trustee Body of the British Nuclear Energy Society (BNES), and through the BNES Collaborative Committee, is active in promoting collaboration, when appropriate, with other professional bodies involved in organising events within the Nuclear Sector.
Finally, the committee is always grateful for suggestions for the improvement of the programme of events and activities and also for offers of help in organising and reporting upon events.
Alistair Smith
Chairman
Nuclear Power Committee
Terms of reference
- Promote the safe use and application of engineering in all aspects of nuclear energy together with its standards
- Influence decision makers on the merits of nuclear energy and to advise our Institution on nuclear energy matters
- Stimulate debate over the engineering issues which arise in nuclear power generation and provide training/ professional development opportunities, especially for younger engineers
- Promote a willingness to share (with, inter alia, the Engineering Institutions, BNES and BNIF) in the management and organisation of nuclear related activities, to avoid duplication and to maximise interest and value
Back to top
- Design
- Development
- Licensing
- Manufacture
- Construction
- Commissioning
- Operation
- Maintenance
- Research
- Modernisation
- Decommissioning
- Education
- Waste Management
- Safety
- Environmental Management
- Nuclear Techniques in Medicine, Research, and Industry
Back to top
 New Fuels
Nuclear Reactors (Fission & Fusion)
Nuclear Containment Systems
Nuclear Propulsion Systems
Fuel & Waste Transport Systems
Nuclear Fuel & Waste Storage Systems
Active Ventilation Systems
Remote Handling Equipment
Reactor Refuelling Systems
Reprocessing; Waste Remediation, Disposal & Treatment Systems
Radiation Protection Equipment
Back to top
|