By info@ico28.com 
The NDA is cleaning up the UK’s oldest nuclear sites which were designed without decommissioning in mind, posing challenges which require first-of-a-kind engineering and technological solutions.
Research is an essential part of the decommissioning programme and each year the NDA group invest £100million in Research & Development (R&D). The aim is to solve challenging technical problems more effectively, more efficiently, and, where possible, for less cost.
The NDA Research Portfolio (NRP) competition forms a key part of the NDA’s strategic research programme and provides direct funding for research that supports strategic objectives including growing and maintaining diverse skills within the supply chain and promoting innovation across multiple sites.
NDA Head of R&D, Kate Canning, said: “We are delighted with the high quality of the submissions received, including from many new organisations alongside those established in the nuclear sector.
“It’s an exciting time for the nuclear industry and we believe the range of organisations involved in the frameworks will provide a diverse range of experience and knowledge to deliver innovative research supporting the delivery of the NDA mission.”
The contracts will cover three areas:
University Interactions; supporting academic research to grow skills within the nuclear decommissioning sector.
Enabling Decommissioning, Waste Management and Remediation; underpinning research in radioactive waste management and decommissioning techniques and practice.
Spent Fuels and Nuclear Material; enabling research in spent fuel storage and disposal and plutonium and uranics strategy development.
The seven successful consortia involve over 60 organisations in total including established nuclear companies, global cross-sector corporations, UK universities, national laboratories, plus small and medium-sized enterprises.
The three new contracts run for four years and replace the previous Direct Research Portfolio (DRP) awarded in 2020.
Previous successes as a result of the NRP include the development of new treatment technologies for uranic materials and the development of a non-contact asbestos detection system utilising hyperspectral techniques to support our decommissioning mission.
The NRP supports the NDA’s University Research Strategy and will also address cross-industry R&D requirements identified by the Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Research Forum (NWDRF), a group that aims to enhance coordination of R&D and technical programmes across UK’s site decommissioning and remediation and integrated waste management activities.
Original article source:
FAQ
- What is the NDA’s £30 million investment in nuclear research and innovation?
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has allocated £30 million to fund research and innovation in nuclear technologies, particularly focusing on decommissioning and waste management. This investment is intended to support advancements that can make decommissioning more efficient, safer, and more cost-effective.
- What is the purpose of this investment?
The investment aims to drive innovation in the nuclear sector, particularly in the areas of decommissioning and environmental restoration. By supporting research, the NDA hopes to develop new technologies and methodologies that can improve the process of decommissioning the UK’s legacy nuclear sites.
- How will the £30 million be used?
The funds will be distributed across various research and development projects, partnerships with academic institutions, and collaborations with industry. The focus will be on improving current decommissioning processes, exploring new technologies, and enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of nuclear site cleanup.
- Which areas of nuclear research will be prioritized?
Key areas of focus include advanced robotics for decommissioning, new methods for treating and storing nuclear waste, materials science to improve safety, and environmental monitoring technologies. The NDA also emphasizes the importance of knowledge transfer and skills development within the nuclear sector.
- Who will benefit from this investment?
The primary beneficiaries will be organizations and institutions involved in nuclear research and decommissioning, including universities, research centers, and private sector companies. The broader public and environment will benefit indirectly from improved safety, reduced costs, and more efficient decommissioning processes.
- Why is innovation in nuclear decommissioning important?
Innovation in nuclear decommissioning is crucial for reducing the environmental impact, enhancing safety, and lowering the costs associated with cleaning up and managing legacy nuclear sites. As the UK moves towards net zero, efficient decommissioning of nuclear sites is a key part of this transition.
- How does this investment align with the UK’s broader energy strategy?
This investment aligns with the UK government’s commitment to safe nuclear energy management as part of its broader energy strategy, which includes a focus on sustainability, safety, and reducing the carbon footprint of the energy sector. Decommissioning old nuclear sites efficiently supports the overall transition to cleaner energy sources.