Through the Towards a Sustainable Energy Economy programme, we are investing in research and trained people that will help the UK to keep the nuclear option open. This follows the Government policy set out in the 2003 Energy White Paper. EPSRC has taken the lead in bringing together a consortium of researchers to address some of the key areas in nuclear fission power, including:
- The sustainable and efficient generation of electrical power from nuclear generation systems based on life cycle analysis (including waste disposal).
- The distribution, control, monitoring, stability, supply and connection of electrical power or energy carrier.
- The evolution of alternative energy vectors, carriers, conversion technologies or generation systems.
A research grant of £6.1 million over 4 years has been awarded to consortium of researchers from Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, University of Sheffield, University of Bristol, University of Leeds and Open University. The universities are working with BNFL, who have contributed £0.5 million, and other stakeholders that include the Atomic Weapons Establishment, British Energy, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, Mitsui Babcock, the Ministry of Defence, Nirex, AMEC NNC, Rolls-Royce PLC and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Further information can be found on the Keeping the Nuclear Option Open (KNOO) website.
