Results: Browse all publications

A PowerPoint presentation exploring sensitivity studies for nuclear. This slide set covers

• ESME as an economic model
• Sensitivity studies for nuclear – approach
• Data from PPSS and ANT projects
• Updated ESME baseline
• SMR Deployment levels influenced by
  • CAPEX
  • First Operations Date For UK FOAK SMR
  • Configuration for CHP deployment to energise district heating systems
• Requirement for flexible power delivery
• The case for CHP SMRs
• Impact on the cost of energy system transition transition
• SMRs as a hedge technology for energy security

This work was partly funded via IDCORE, the Industrial Doctorate Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy, which trains research engineers whose work in conjunction with sponsoring companies aims to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind, wave and tidal-current technologies

Development and construction of a new nuclear power station can span 10 to 20 years. The development phase is delivered by two separate organisations: the vendor, who develops the design for construction and operation by others; and the developer, who initiates and leads one or more nuclear power station projects.The developer also requires an operating organisation which will hold the required regulatory licences, consents and permissions to build and operate a nuclear power station. There can be a number of different legal relationships between the developer and operator such as wholly owned, part owned in a joint venture, or long-term contract. The essential requirement is that during the development phase the developer needs to ensure that there is an operating organisation, also known as the licensee, which is established as a distinct legal entity and capable of fulfilling its legal obligations. The long period of development is delivered in a sequence of related activities. For each activity there needs to be sufficient confidence that the planned goals can be achieved consistent with the level of investment. The activities are inter-related, which requires an integrated development programme with a combined set of requirements and outcomes.

In March 2015 the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) published “Options Choices Action” featuring two contrasting scenarios - “Patchwork” and “Clockwork” - for a UK low carbon energy system transition to 20501. New nuclear power stations featured as a prominent component of both scenarios. In this context the ETI has commissioned new analysis of how large and Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear technologies can contribute to decarbonising the UK energy system. For this purpose, SMRs are defined as modular for the purpose of incremental addition to power station capacity, and with an electrical generation capacity in units of 300 MWe or less. The emergence of multiple developing SMR designs opens up the potential to deploy a wider range of nuclear technologies within an integrated energy system.This document summarises the insights from three ETI activities undertaken in 2014 and 2015:

• Power Plant Siting Study (PPSS) -delivered for the ETI by Atkins
• System Requirements For Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) - deliveredfor the ETI by Mott MacDonald with technical support from Rolls-Royce
• In-house ETI energy system modelling and analysis incorporating the learning from the PPSS and ANT projects

This analysis has created new understanding of the potentially different contributions from large baseload reactors and SMRs in the UK energy system. These two nuclear technologies can offer potentially complementary roles in baseload and flexible CHP generation, and also in terms of the location of development sites. Generation IV nuclear technologies are not considered in detail in any of the projects above, but are recognised as a new type of reactor technology potentially available for deployment from 2040 onwards. The PPSS recognises the need to allocate site capacity for such reactors; without suitable sites such future designs could not be built.

This report is intended to be an update to the first ETI nuclear insight report released in October 2015, entitled Nuclear - the role for nuclear within a low carbon energy system, and for completeness also summarises developments in the UK nuclear context since 2015.

This insight report summarises the learning from the ETI's Nuclear Cost Drivers (NCD) project which was commissioned through open competitive procurement, delivered by the organisation now known as Lucid-Catalyst, and reported in April 2018. It also reports the learning from applying the nuclear cost drivers data and associated learning through sensitivity testing in the ESME whole system modelling tool now operated by the Energy System Catapult.

The NCD project report concluded that there was strong evidence of applicable cost reduction in the UK, but collective action is required against all cost drivers by all project stakeholders, including government, to bring about the integrated programme of activities necessary to realise this potential. The benefits of such collective action are largely realised through productivity improvements in direct labour and indirect services during construction, giving shorter, more predictable schedules and repeatable engineering. This report also proposes that some FOAK (First of a Kind) commercial plants that could be operational from 2035, could offer further transformational reductions in cost and consequential growth in economic opportunity through deployment in the UK and elsewhere.

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This case study illustrates the appropriate use of the derived methodology for Trawsfynydd, Wales. Trawsfynydd is located in North Wales and is the site of a nuclear energy plant (currently being decommissioned). The site was chosen as representative of an inland site. This document introduces the location and a demonstration of the hazard characterisation methodologies for:

• Extreme temperatures
• Seismic, geological and volcanic hazards including ash deposition
• Natural hazard combinations
  
  

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This case study illustrates the appropriate use of the derived methodology for assessing the risks of natural hazards that may arise in the Dounreay area, which is located on the north coast of Scotland. Dounreay is home to onshore nuclear installations and offshore renewables testing facilities. The land in the area near Dounreay is exposed and vulnerable to natural hazards from the sea (specifically from the North Atlantic towards the west and the North Sea towards the east). Thus, Dounreay can be taken to represent both coastal (onshore) and offshore sites.Aspects of four different types of natural hazards are addressed in this case study:

• Volume 3 — Extreme Wind — onshore effects;
• Volume 4 — Extreme Precipitation — onshore effects;
• Volume 6 — Coastal Flooding — offshore effects;
• Volume 11 — Marine Biological Fouling — offshore effects.
  
  

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This case study illustrates the appropriate use of the derived methodology for Hunterston and its coastal infrastructure. Hunterston is located in western Scotland and is the site of energy generation andtransmission infrastructure. The site was chosen as representative of a coastal site. This case study assesses two different types of natural hazard:

• •Volume 10 — Space Weather;
• Volume 11 — Marine Biological Fouling.

The location of Hunterston has been selected to illustrate the potential risks caused by these two hazards since this industrialised coastal site has been affected by past biological clogging events and is located at a northern latitude which makes it more likely to observe space weather impacts such as geomagnetic storms. Other natural hazard risks (such as extreme weather or flooding) at this location should still be considered more generally but are not the focus of this case study.

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This case study illustrates the appropriate use of the methodology from the technical volumes for Teesmouth, England. Teesmouth is located in north-east England. The site was chosen as representative of anestuarine environment.Three hazard families are included in this assessment:

• Volume 6 — Coastal Flooding;
• Volume 8 — Hail;
• Volume 9 — Lightning.

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This case study illustrates the appropriate use of the methodology from the technical volumes for Cottam, England. Cottam is located in the East Midlands region of England. The site was chosen as representative of an inland river environment. This case study provides an assessment for the river flooding hazard. The aim of this case study is to assess flood risk, mainly from fluvial and tidal sources; risk of flooding from other sources, such as surface water and ground water flooding, have also been considered. All relevant key data associated with flooding, such as river water levels, sea levels and river discharges, have also been presented. Hazard characterisation is shown for

• Flood risk
• Fluvial flooding
• Tidal influence and extreme sea level
• Astronomical tide
• Wave
• Artificial sources of flooding
  
  
  

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This document contains a slide set from the Launch Event oin November 2019, and sets the context for the outputs of the project known as “Natural Hazards Characterisation Technical Volumes and Case Studies.” It provides:

• The background context to the project and the project outputs
• Why the subject matters and action is required
• A navigation aid to the suite of documents, what they individually contain, and how they fit together
• The target audience; infrastructure owners, operators, asset managers, developers, investors, regulators and insurers
• Broader relevance and read across into transport, the built environment, and civil emergency planning and response to the impact of natural hazards
• Learning from the execution of this 5-year project relevant to investing and realising the benefits from complex, collaborative R&D
• Guidance on where to find more

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

Marine biofouling, or biological fouling, is the undesirable growth of marine organisms (both plants and animals) on man-made structures that are submerged for a sustained period. Biofouling causes problems by increasing surface complexity, load and hydrodynamic drag on a structure. It can accelerate corrosion, compromise mechanical integrity and ultimately cause system failure

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction to marine biological fouling
• Description of the main phenomena
• Observations, measurement techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena
• Regulation
li>Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

Energy infrastructure, like many other sectors, is vulnerable to natural hazards including severe weather events. The combined impacts of certain combinations of hazards are not always straightforward to predict. For example, if strong winds were to accompany or follow heavy snowfall, the winds may enhance the impact (drifting snow blocking transport routes and building up against the sides of buildings), or reduce it (if the winds remove all of the snow except for the hardiest surface crust).

A large number of combinations of hazards are potentially relevant for the UK energy industry. Nine combinations considered the most important, based on industry needs and gaps in current scientific understanding, were identified at a workshop that included scientists and industry experts.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena
• Observations, measurement techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena
• Regulation
• Emerging trends; high winds, large waves, heavy rainfall,volcanic ash, space weather, forthcoming climate projections

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This document introduces the set of documents collectively known as “Enabling Resilient UK Energy Infrastructure: Natural Hazard Characterisation Technical Volumes and Case Studies”. It addresses:

• Background and motivation
• Introduction to the energy sector, potential vulnerabilities and relevant natural hazards
• List of natural hazards
• Format
• Technical primers

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This technical volume addresses:

• Context and impact
• Description of the main phenomena; maximum temperatures, heat waves, and minimum temperatures
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena including water temperature, frazil ice formation, very rapid changes in air temperatures, wildfires and enthalpy
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena; key influences on UK weather and climate, extreme winds, tornadoes
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena including sandstorms
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena; key influences on UK weather and climate, UK rainfall mechanisms and extremes, potential interactions with other natural hazards
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools• Methodologies
• Related phenomena including snow, snowpack and avalanches, ice, impacts of extreme snowfall and ice on the energy sector, humidity, fog and mist, impacts of humidity and fog on the energy sector
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

This technical volume addresses:-

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena; causes and types of flooding, some examples of river flooding, flood risk and vulnerability classification,definition of flood zones, Government’s strategy and policy, organisations responsible for flood risk management
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

Coastal flooding is a natural phenomenon which is capable of devastating coastal towns, infrastructure, and regional economies.The UK coastline is one of the longest in Europe and is constantly evolving and shifting over time. It is varied in geography and habitats. The coastline is relatively easily accessible to the UK population; nowhere in the UK is more than 120 km from the coast. A single coastal flooding event can have a widespread impact.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena, where coastal flooding is related to extreme weather events (e.g. high winds/hurricanes) and seismic and geological events (e.g. earthquakes and landslides leading to tsunamis)
• Regulation
• Emerging trends
  
  

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

The UK is generally an area of low seismic activity. Seismic design may not be considered for facilities that are classed of low importance by stakeholders, where safety or damage are not critical, or thefacilities/contents are not considered sensitive to seismic vibrations. However, small earthquakes occur on a regular basis, and certain structures (e.g. nuclear power plants) require design to withstand earthquakes regardless of the perceived level of threat. The UK is no longer volcanically active but remains subject to the influence of distant volcanic eruptions due to atmospheric dispersion of air-borne erupted fine particulates (ash), which may remain in atmospheric suspension or be deposited at ground level. Geological instability, where there is a loss of ground support, may be caused by natural or man-made hazards. The potential for geological instability is widespread within the UK.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena; seismicity, volcanicity, geological instability including landslides, ground dissolution, shrink-swell clays, mining
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena; seismicity, volcanicity, geological instability
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

Hailstones are a solid form of precipitation formed within large convective storms (i.e. thunderstorms). Smaller hailstones do require consideration, principally due to the hazard created when a depth of hail settles on the ground or on the roof of a structure. The depth of hail is also important as, like snow, the weight could cause roofs of buildings to collapse.However, much larger hailstones (diameters greater than 50 mm) are occasionally produced by violent storms. These hailstones can cause considerable damage.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena
• Observations, measurements techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena
• Regulation
• Emerging trends

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers

This large spreadsheet contains the details regarding each hazard and associated methodology and how it was assessed in phase 1. This spreadsheet is the repository of detailed knowledge from phase 1. It isincluded as a print as an appendix to the main report, but it is provided separately in its own right to aid its use and understanding

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers

This presentation in powerpoint format was developed EDF (R&D UK) as the delivery organisation for this project. It was used to share the scope and learning of this project at the members disseminationevent at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Wednesday 17th September

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers

Call for Proposal - the output from this Project will be an understanding of the full range of natural hazards to be considered in the design and assessment of high value energy infrastructure assets in theUK.

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers

This document is the main deliverable of Phase 1 of the ETI project on Natural hazards containing a detailed literature review which specifies:

• the natural hazards which are relevant for the energy sector, classified by hazard categories;
• the available mature methodologies for regional and localised characterisation, as well as expert judgement regarding these methodologies;
• some comments on the impact(s) of climate change on natural hazards;
• the sectors where each natural hazard characterisation is relevant;
• the existing guidelines and regulatory frameworks impacting the UK;
• some examples of industry applications, including the estimation of climate change impacts;
• some trends in R&D in the characterisation of the Natural hazard;
• the gaps in natural hazard analysis and prediction (i.e., for example, the gaps in understanding the hazard combinations or the difficult in estimating the ligthning intensity) and the priority level of the gaps to be addressed by future work, with justification for why these gaps should be filled.

All of this information will be used for scoping Phase 2 of the ETI project on Natural hazard, which aims to address the most urgent and relevant gaps

ETI's Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presents "Priorities for energy security in the UK" at the Westminster "Energy, Environment and Transport Forum". Ensuring the UK meets supply criteria; mix diversity, infrastructure investment and decarbonising the system - the role for nuclear. The presentation covers

• Introduction to ETI and ESME, ETI's modelling tool
• UK emissions reduction plan
• ETI's Nuclear Insights - Key Messages
• Conclusions

The purpose of this SMR Deployment Enablers Project is to determine in support of potential SMR deployment in the UK:

• the activities comprising the first five years of a development programme for the UK deployment of a Small Modular Reactor
• a timeline with milestones to accompany this programme definition
• the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase of a UK SMR development programme

This is the Final Report, Deliverable 8, and supersedes previous interim Deliverables, or Deliverable Packs,. The reports explain the logic and necessity for the enabling activities during the first 5 years of such a programme.

This report summarises the wider study commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) to understand the opportunities for the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) as part of the transition towards a UK low carbon energy system. This wider study has considered key factors such as siting criteria and the potential locations for early SMR deployment in the UK; and the development characteristics, timescales, operational performance and cost envelope for SMRs to be an attractive technology. Building on the findings from this earlier work, the SMR Deployment Enablers (SDE) Project identifies the enabling activities that would be necessary in the first five years of a programme to support potential operations of a first UK SMR by 2030.

The following conclusions are reached:

1. Implementation of an First OfA Kind (FOAK) SMR is possible without facilitative action by Government
2. Pre-FID investor confidence is of critical importance for achieving the 2030 timeline
3. For an effective programme to achieve FOAK SMR deployment, significant Governmentcommitment and facilitative action is required from the outset
4. It is insufficient for the first 5 years of the deployment schedule to focus on just GDAand RegulatoryJustification
5. A strong and early marriage is required between developer / operator and vendor
6. The notion of a developer / operator / vendor ‘boot camp’ is proposed as a near-term risk mitigation activity
li>Deployment of a FOAK SMR in the UK is achievable by 2030underthe bounding scenario considered by this study
7. The scale of the recruitment challenge to establish a Nuclear Baseline should not be underestimated, with staged planning essential
8. Regulators will need tobe able to resource-up without adverse influence on current UK nuclear safety activity
9. A co-ordinated public communications plan is required, led by the prospective Licensee, supported by the vendor and facilitated by Government
10. Bounding assumptions were judged to be sound in the context of a deployment schedule leading to a UK FOAK SMR operating by 2030
11. The evidence gathered forms the basis of a toolkit which could be used to test or assess the feasibility of specific scenarios for SMR Deployment in the UK

The schedule for UK FOAK deployment operations would depend upon the associated assumptions. Such options may include:

• A risk-averse deployment plan which focusses on completion of GDA and Regulatory Justification to establish a credible design before commencing work on site specific aspects and developing a credible nuclear operator. This may suggest a schedule with risk of delay to FOAK first operation beyond 2030.
• A deployment plan for a less technology/design ready SMR. GDA would not commence until later in the schedule with possible plans to complete manufacturing and construction in a shorter timeframe.This may suggest a schedule with risk of delay to FOAK first operation beyond 2030.
• Assessment of developer / operators with different characteristics and different working arrangements and modes of engagement with the vendor. For example,a developer with a mature and capable licensee organisation which may suggest an opportunity for an accelerated deployment schedule.
• FOAK deployment at a site identified as potentially suitable for nuclear development in the Nuclear NPS.This may again suggest an opportunity for an accelerated deployment schedule

The purpose of the SMR Deployment Enablers project was to identify the activities needed to take place in the first five years of a development plan for UK SMRs and the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase. Selection processes are out of scope so the starting assumption for the project is that both the SMR utility/developer and reactor vendor have already been identified.

These Presentation slides were used on 28th September 2016 to summarise the project findings.

The purpose of this SMR Deployment Enablers Project is to determine in support of potential SMR deployment in the UK:

• the activities comprising the first five years of a development programme for the UK deployment of a Small Modular Reactor
• a timeline with milestones to accompany this programme definition
• the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase of a UK SMR development programme

This is the call for proposals

The purpose of the SMR Deployment Enablers project was to identify the activities needed to take place in the first five years of a development plan for UK SMRs and the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase. Selection processes are out of scope so the starting assumption for the project is that both the SMR utility/developer and reactor vendor have already been identified.

This report presents a timetline of the activities needed to take place in the first five years of a development plan for UK SMRs, and the necessary capability of the SMR utility/developer organisation during this phase. Selection processes are out of scope so the starting assumption for the project is that both the SMR utility/developer and reactor vendor have already been identified.

ETI’s Mike Middleton presented “SMRs in the context of waste and spent fuel management” at the SPRU Nuclear Waste Seminar on 27th and 28th March 2017. The presentation covers

• The Energy Technologies Institute - what do we do?
• Scenario modelling around an affordable energy system transition
• Nuclear in a UK low carbon 2050 energy system
• Importance of investor confidence in nuclear power projects
• Potential schedule for deployment of a UK LWR SMR
• Potential implications regarding waste and spent fuel from moving to an advanced reactor technology
• Conclusions

ETI’s Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presents “Status of SMRs in the UK” at the IMechE - “Delivering Onsite Nuclear Projects” conference - 27th September 2017. The presentation covers

• Introduction to the ETI
• What is a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)?
• Benefits of deploying SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy
• Understanding the steps towards potential deployment
• Update on Phase 1 of the UK SMR competition
• Conclusions

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are generally defined as nuclear reactors with a maximum electrical output below 300MWe. They are considered to have characteristics that are distinct from conventional large reactors and proponents claim that SMRs could offer a number of benefits to the UK’s future energy system, including the reliable provision of low-carbon electricity and heat, lower financing costs, and the opening up of additional sites closer to demand. At the present time however, there are still significant uncertainties relating to the cost, performance and deployment timetables of SMR technologies. This is the background context for the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) project, commissioned by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).

The overall purpose of the ANT project was to frame the UK energy system requirements for a small generic nuclear power plant with an output of up to 300MWe. Mott MacDonald was appointed by the ETI to undertake this work, which was carried out in 3 phases between September 2014 and March 2016.

Phases 1 and 2 involved a wide-range of tasks aimed at understanding the role that SMRs could play in the UK’s future energy system and defining the functional and economic parameters for SMRs to fulfil this role.

The objective of Phase 3 was to validate the assumptions and expand the findings of our earlier work by undertaking more detailed engineering analysis. This analysis involved using proprietary industry standard software packages to undertake thermo-dynamic modelling of SMR plant steam cycles and cost modelling of plant equipment. This report represents the culmination of our Phase 3 work. It is concluded that SMR heat supply could be a significant benefit to both plant economics and the decarbonisation of the UK’s energy supply. The cost of designing and building SMR plants ready to supply future DH networks is relatively small, but the benefits are potentially large. This report may have relevance for organisations considering the potential deployment of SMRs into a future UK low carbon energy systems.

Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear power reactors with a maximum electrical output below 300MWe. They are generally considered to have distinct characteristics that make them different from conventional large reactors (LRs), such as modular design with pre-fabrication in offsite factories and the potential to deploy multiple reactors at the same site to form larger power plants. Many SMRs are also being designed as ‘integral’ units, where all key primary system components are integrated within a single pressure vessel and surrounded by a containment structure. A number of countries and companies are at different stages in the design and development of SMR technology.

If the technology is successfully developed, proponents claim that SMRs have the potential to offer a number of benefits to the UK’s future energy system. These benefits include the reliable provision of lowcarbon electricity and heat, flexible deployment and the opening up of additional sites closer to demand. There could also be economic benefits to countries that establish themselves at the forefront of technology development and export. But despite this potential, there are currently significant uncertainties relating to the future costs and performance of SMR technologies and the suitability of different designs for the UK.

The purpose of the ANT project was to frame the UK energy system requirements for a small generic nuclear power plant with an output of up to 300MWe. In practical terms this meant defining the technical and economic parameters for an SMR to be of value to the UK’s energy system in the future. The ETI appointed Mott MacDonald to undertake this work with Rolls Royce as subcontractor to Mott MacDonald.

The project was primarily aimed at understanding what SMRs will ultimately need to ‘achieve’ in order to be deployed in the UK. Whether or not the UK has a role in technology development is not directly relevant in this context, although some aspects of technology development were considered during the project.

The purpose of the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies project was to capture the high level technical performance characteristics and business-case parameters of small thermal plants, which will be of value to the potential future of the UK’s energy system. The project included small nuclear reactors, enabling comparison with other small-scale plants, such as those powered by bio-mass. The project outputs will help enable the subsequent contrast of a range of specific technologies.

A presentation describing what will Small Modular Reactors need to achieve in the future, technically and economically, to be deployed at scale in the UK. The presentation covers:

• Objective, Scope and Team
• Introduction to SMRs
• UK energy system to 2050
• Technical work-stream
• Economic work-stream
• Conclusionsul>
• Opportunities
• Challenges
• Economics
• Next Steps

Backup Slides

• High Level Technology Appraisal
• Overview of Assessment
• Positive SMR Attributes
• Non-kWh services

The purpose of the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies (ANT) project was to capture the high level technical performance characteristics and business-case parameters of small thermal plants, which will be of value to the potential future of the UK’s energy system. The project included small nuclear reactors, enabling comparison with other small-scale plants, such as those powered by bio-mass. The project outputs will help enable the subsequent contrast of a range of specific technologies.

Call for Proposal - This project’s purpose is to create a high level functional requirements specification for a small generic nuclear plant with an output of up to 300 MWe. This specification will be between 25 and 35 pages long and will be split equally between functional requirements and business case requirements

The purpose of the System Requirements for Alternative Nuclear Technologies project was to capture the high level technical performance characteristics and business-case parameters of small thermal plants, which will be of value to the potential future of the UK’s energy system. The project included small nuclear reactors, enabling comparison with other small-scale plants, such as those powered by bio-mass. The project outputs will help enable the subsequent contrast of a range of specific technologies.

A presentation describing the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to supply district heat networks. Draft conclusions drawn are

• SMR heat supply (CHP) is technically feasible and easy to implement
• CHP solutions can provide flexible heat and power independently
• CHP improves SMR economics –costs are modest; revenues large
• Different SMRdesign philosophies (module size & efficiency) make little difference to CHP cost or performance
• Many international examples of heat supply to DH networks from large power plants, including nuclear
• Plant cooling technologies that use very little water are technically feasible and could be retrofitted

ETI’s Strategy and Programme Manager for Nuclear, Mike Middleton presents “The role of nuclear in the transition to a UK low carbon economy” at a talk for the Imperial College Energy Society on 24th January 2018

• Introduction to the ETI
• Developing the role for nuclear in a UK transition
• What could be the role for SMRs in the UK energy system
• A credible plan for deployment of a UK SMR by 2030
• Cost competitiveness of nuclear as a low carbon technology
• Conclusions

ETI’s Strategy Manager Mike Middleton presents “The role of nuclear including SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy” at 4th World Nuclear New Build Congress 2017 - 12th September 2017. The presentation covers

• Introduction to the ETI
• A UK emissions reduction plan and the challenge of decarbonising heat
• Recent projects undertaken by the ETI related to UK nuclear deployment
• The role for nuclear including SMRs in the UK transition to a low carbon economy
• Enabling activities to support UK SMR deployment
• Requirements for advanced nuclear technologies
• Conclusions