Tuesday 7 August 2018

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and Wood have won a three-year contract from the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to carry out a key research project on fuels for the nuclear reactors of the future.

Effective immediately, the two organisations will deliver the research and development necessary to provide a world-leading reactor physics capability, based around UK modelling and simulation tools, that will support the design, qualification and fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels within the UK.

Ivan Baldwin Vice President of NNL’s Government and New Business division, said:

“We are pleased to be bringing together the combined capability of NNL and the wider supply chain in a collaborative approach that ensures best athlete whilst also maintaining strength in depth.”

Bob MacDonald, CEO of Specialist Technical Solutions at Wood, said:

“We are looking forward to partnering with NNL on this important contract for the UK government. Securing this work positions us very well for design opportunities on future reactor types, including small modular reactors, and positions us at the forefront of development in this area, creating potential benefits for existing nuclear generation customers.We will also be playing our part in developing key nuclear skills to help the UK meet its future energy needs.”

The contract is focused on the production of analysis methods covering reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics and fuel performance for advanced water-cooled reactors, high-temperature gas reactors and liquid metal fast reactors as well as their respective nuclear fuels. Half of the scope will be completed by Wood.