The global nuclear power industry is generally based on established ‘large-scale’ reactor technology, which requires considerable ‘nuclear’ infrastructure to be put in place, including expertise and regulation, in order to operate safely and effectively.
In recent years, potential benefits have been identified regarding the installation of reactors in countries which do not have this established infrastructure, and in areas where electricity grid systems are less developed and robust. This has led to a growing interest in the technical development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
The Institution leads the debate
Mechanical engineering is at the heart of nuclear energy and nuclear engineering. It is clear that the IMechE should be at the forefront of policy direction for this sector.
Having recently identified a number of key factors which could facilitate UK-led SMR development, myself and John Earp FIMechE, working with the Nuclear Power Committee, implemented research which led to the publication of our
SMR policy statement in September.
Over an 18-month period, we consulted with our members, and with academia, industry and government, to present the benefits and opportunities to the UK of developing SMR capability. We also worked to ensure that the document was published at a significant point in time from a policymaking perspective. As a result our statement has been widely acclaimed and it stands as a testament to the joint efforts of members, and the strategic capabilities of the Institution, to lead the debate.
What are the benefits of Small Nuclear Reactors?
Within political circles, industry and the nuclear sector, there is growing recognition that very large 1GW plus reactors – like for example the planned additional reactor at Hinkley Point in Somerset – come with substantial implementation challenges.
Not least of these is that they require enormous upfront financial investment (upwards of £16bn in the case of Hinkley) and a relatively long and complicated build process.
SMRs, on the other hand, present a lower cost option, with comparatively straightforward construction and, potentially, a more attractive investment proposition. They would be factory-manufactured and assembled on site, and likely cost in the region of £1-2bn. The financial community sees them as lower risk with a swifter return on outlay.
In coming decades, there is potential for the UK to manufacture and supply to an emerging global market too.
Why is the Institution’s policy statement so timely?
For the last five years the US has been leading the development of this area of nuclear provision. However, the success of shale gas production in the US has now, to some degree, distracted the Americans from the development of SMRs. The Institution recognises that the UK is ideally placed to pick this up and move forward with SMR research and commercial implementation.
The publication of our policy statement was accelerated over the summer in order to be available for consideration at a recent
conference in Manchester, held by the Nuclear Institute, which discussed the role of the UK in the future of SMRs, and what is needed to establish SMRs here. The statement was extremely well received by speakers and delegates from government, industry, academia, and related nuclear development groups, and created strong recognition for the Institution’s profile.
The conference was chaired by Dame Sue Ion; importantly, Dr Ron Loveland, Energy Advisor to the Welsh Government, directly referred to the Institution’s SMR statement in his opening talk at the conference, with particular reference to our recommendation for the possible siting of a commercial development reactor.
The Institution’s key recommendations
We have identified the nuclear licensed site of Trawsfynydd in North Wales as the ideal position for the development testing and demonstration of these reactors; the further benefits and suitability of which are outlined in the policy statement.
The Institution is the first organisation, of any kind, to publicly put forward Trawsfynydd. The Welsh Assembly and the UK Government have been very interested in our views on this. Our recommendations also outline the government’s consideration of UK engineering’s technical match in its nuclear strategy decisions; and engagement of UK industry in emerging global markets.
Find out more
Read the Institution's policy statement on
Small Modular Reactors: A UK Opportunity.