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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Government backs new small reactor technology
The government has announced £210mn in new funding for Rolls-Royce SMR to back development of the design for what could be one of the world’s first small modular reactors (SMRs). Matched by private sector funding of over £250mn, the government says that its investment will take forward phase two of its Low-Cost Nuclear project to take designs through the regulatory processes to assess suitability of their potential deployment in the UK.
SMRs have the potential to be less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants, first because of their smaller size, and also the modular nature of the components offers the potential for parts to be produced in dedicated factories and shipped by road to site – reducing construction time and cost. Rolls-Royce SMR estimates that each reactor could be capable of powering one million homes – equivalent to a city the size of Leeds.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: ‘In working with Rolls-Royce, we are proud to back the largest engineering collaboration the UK has ever seen – uniting some of the most respected and innovating organisations on the planet. Not only can we maximise British content, create new intellectual property and reinvigorate supply chains, but also position our country as a global leader in innovative nuclear technologies we can potentially export elsewhere.’
SMRs have the potential to be less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants, first because of their smaller size, and also the modular nature of the components offers the potential for parts to be produced in dedicated factories and shipped by road to site – reducing construction time and cost. Rolls-Royce SMR estimates that each reactor could be capable of powering one million homes – equivalent to a city the size of Leeds.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: ‘In working with Rolls-Royce, we are proud to back the largest engineering collaboration the UK has ever seen – uniting some of the most respected and innovating organisations on the planet. Not only can we maximise British content, create new intellectual property and reinvigorate supply chains, but also position our country as a global leader in innovative nuclear technologies we can potentially export elsewhere.’
