Home > News > News releases > Nuclear AMRC & US firm sign agreement to develop next generation small modular reactors
Homeowners could benefit from a cheaper energy alternative thanks to a partnership between The University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and nuclear technology experts from the US.
The AMRC signed an agreement with US-based reactor developer NuScale which will see them work together on the development of small modular reactor (SMRs), part of a new generation of nuclear power plant designs currently being developed with the aim of giving flexible, cost-effective energy alternatives.
Small reactors are defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency as those with an electricity output of less than 300 MWe, and these modular reactors are manufactured at a plant and brought to the site fully constructed. They allow for less on-site construction, and improved safety security through increased efficiency of nuclear material containment.
NuScale’s Power Module is a 50MWe pressurised water reactor and generator, designed to be deployed in clusters of up to 12 per site. Each module could provide power for approximately 50,000 homes. The combined containment vessel and reactor system measures around 25 metres in length by five metres diameter, small enough to be transported by a single lorry, and features state-of-the-art passive safety systems which significantly reduce risks associated with current reactor designs.
NuScale power plants are scalable - additional modules are added as customer demand for electricity increases. NuScale’s technology also is ideally suited to supply energy for district heating, desalination and other applications.
The new agreement signed by NuScale chief technology officer Dr Jose Reyes and Nuclear AMRC chief executive Mike Tynan opens the way for potential collaboration on the development and manufacture of the NuScale technology.
During their tour of the Nuclear AMRC’s research factory, the NuScale team found out about how the centre’s world-leading manufacturing R&D capabilities such aselectron beam welding, diode laser cladding and very large high-precision machining,could help develop the company’s innovative reactor and reduce costs in production.
Mike Tynan said: "The work underway here at the Nuclear AMRC is founded upon the strong relationships we have with universities, UK industry, UK government and nuclear technology developers around the world.
"Our discussions with NuScale Power are part of our continuing support to the diverse technology base for civil nuclear power in the UK and we look forward to the potential development of SMR technology for the UK."
Dr Jose Reyes said: "Given the UK’s engineering and skills base, working with British organisations is vitally important for NuScale as we move towards our first commercial power station. This week is about developing the basis for future commercial collaboration between NuScale Power and key British nuclear engineering players. It’s also about ensuring that tomorrow’s nuclear engineers, whether in Sheffield or Oregon, get the training opportunities they need to help build the advanced, clean energy technologies of the future."
Dr Reyes also announced details of the new internship programme with the University of Sheffield, which will allow up to five Sheffield students to spend a summer at the company’s operational facilities in Corvallis and at Oregon State University. The programme will begin in summer 2015.
