South West Nuclear Hub at the University of

South West Nuclear Hub at the University of Bristol SMRs: a Research and Innovation Perspective Nuclear South West Lunchtime Briefing: Small Modular Reactors 30 th November 2016 Jamie Townes, Industrial Engagement j. w. townes@bristol. ac. uk

South West Nuclear Hub Formed in 2011 at the University of Bristol Directors Dr Tom Scott Bristol Prof Chris Grovenor Oxford Problem Oriented Research: • Lifetime Extension • Safety Systems • Plant Monitoring Nuclear Futures 20 -50 Years Applied Research Up to 10 Years Nuclear Futures: • Policy • Finance • Energy Portfolio Advanced Research 10 -20 Years Underlying Research: • Materials • Computer Systems • Engineering Design

South West Nuclear Hub Current Team and Portfolio • Resident experience ~45 academics • Combined Portfolio ~£ 20 M • Total number of researchers ~90 Portfolio includes: EPSRC, EU and industrial funding, with new joint projects developed since launch at the University of Bristol

South West Nuclear Hub Strategic Need for a Nuclear Hub at the University of Bristol Government: Nuclear Industrial Strategy • “joined up approach to nuclear R&D across government, industry and academia” • “research base is underpinned by world-leading facilities which are fully utilised by both national and international customers”. Industry Demand • • “the Hub, housing both members of academia and industry, facilitating crossfertilisation of ideas, will deliver results with the highest industrial impact” “the provision of new Nuclear Masters and Ph. D courses partnered with industry will provide a much needed contribution towards providing a solution to the aging UK nuclear workforce”.

South West Nuclear Hub HEFCE Catalyst Fund Award at the University of Bristol Hub Objectives: • Establish a research and education Hub • Integrate industrial participation with the Hub’s research and teaching • Expand nuclear energy related research activity • Provide a Hub for nuclear energy related higher education, housing a cohort of nuclear students (MSc and Ph. D)

South West Nuclear Hub Nuclear Research Challenges at the University Bristol Research Themes Nuclear New Build Existing Nuclear Decommissioning of Bristol Materials & Structural Performance Waste & Fuel Management Bristol Nuclear Research Risks & Resilience Monitoring Technologies & Robotics Systems Reliability

South West Nuclear Hub Future Facilities at the University of Bristol

South West Nuclear Hub Innovation Environment at the University of Bristol

South West Msc. Nuclear. Hub Science and Engineering at the University of Bristol First cohort to graduate in 2016 Hub and MSc is operated out of School of Physics MSc cohort: 50/50 Science + Engineering; Projects: industrially focussed, science and engineering academics provide academic supervision Five Themes • The Nuclear Cycle • Nuclear Reactor Materials and Design • Nuclear Structural Integrity • Nuclear System, Infrastructure, Hazards and Risk • Nuclear Professionalism