This report provides a summary of the activity of NIRAB since April 2018, reflecting the progress made by NIRAB in formulating advice to Government on the future role of new nuclear energy as a means to achieve net zero by 2050 and in doing so create positive economic impact and jobs. A number of recommendations for action have been made.
This report provides an overview of the work of NIRAB over the year to October 2022 – three key areas of work were identified: Technology, Delivery, and Use Case. The focus of the NIRAB Technology Working Group (NTWG) was to advise on research and development needs for new nuclear, with a focus on (Advanced Modular Reactors) AMRs. The Delivery Working Group (NDWG) focused on innovations in delivery methodology needed to bring forward AMRs, and in particular High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGRs) to build a demonstrator by early 2030’s. The Use Case Working Group (NUCWG) focused on the potential end user...
Research, Development and Innovation required for a High Temperature Gas Reactor Demonstrator
In this report NIRAB tackles the question “What Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) is needed for the UK to deliver a High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) Demonstrator by the early 2030s?”. To answer this NIRAB has interpreted the question as meaning the Demonstrator reactor should couple electricity production with high heat output, to be utilised in industrial applications. Hence, five key areas have been identified as needing investment and RD&I has been categorised as either ‘essential’, ‘highly valuable’ or ‘valuable’. The report also covers the several industrial sectors in the UK which could be assisted in decarbonisation via using heat outputs from an HTGR.
This document presents the results of a survey of the UK civil nuclear R&D landscape in the 2018/19 financial year. It is an update to the landscape review published by Government in 2017. It provides information on the Government policy landscape, funding sources, magnitude, location and focus of research and development being undertaken in the UK and the level of experience of the R&D community currently engaged in civil nuclear research. The survey results show that: – Overall it is estimated that there has been an underlying 3% increase in the number of researchers engaged in civil nuclear research in...
This document presents the results of a survey of the UK civil nuclear R&D landscape in the 2015/16 financial year. It is an update to the landscape review published by Government in 2013. It provides information on the Government policy landscape, funding sources, magnitude, location and focus of research and development being undertaken in the UK and the level of experience of the R&D community currently engaged in civil nuclear research. The survey results show that: – Public sector funding for civil nuclear R&D in 2015/16 was lower than the level reported in 2013 – There has been a 19%...
This document presents the results of a survey of the UK civil nuclear R&D landscape in the 2022/23 financial year. It provides information on the Government policy landscape, funding sources, skills and staffing, facilities and collaboration. Some points made in the review were: many in the sector want to see greater strategic direction from the government, a long-term funding plan which takes the nuclear sector to 20250 and a scale up in staffing is required.
Early Advice to BEIS to support the Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration Programme (AMR RD&D)
This document outlines early advice to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on the Advanced Modular Reactor Research Development and Demonstration Programme (AMR RD&D) from initial analysis. NIRAB broadly welcome the proposal for a three-phase approach to delivery, as outlined in the recent market engagement exercise. However, the advice highlights are several points that NIRAB advise BEIS should urgently consider within the programme.
Overview of Impact of the Nuclear Innovation Programme (2016–2022)
This report provides NIRAB expert opinion on the impact that the Nuclear Innovation Programme (NIP), running from 2016-2022, has had on nuclear innovation in the UK, in response to a request from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). BEIS also requested a NIRAB opinion on what research and development within the UK, if anything, could be stopped; what else needs prioritising and what R&D is needed in order to build an AMR demonstrator to the timescale necessary for a meaningful contribution to net zero emissions by 2050. This report, validated at the September 2022 Board, presents NIRAB’s view of the impact of the...
Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board (NIRAB) Response to Parliamentary Inquiry on People and Skills in UK Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
NIRAB provides a response to the inquiry on the People and Skills in UK Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, set out by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. NIRAB’s response focuses on nuclear skills and the challenge in addressing future nuclear skills needs for the sector, through the collation of information and opinions from NIRAB’s previous discussions.
NIRAB provides advice to Regulators on regulations of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Advanced Modular Reactor Research, Development and Demonstration (AMR RD&D) Programme. NIRAB advice has been formulated upon a discussion paper presented to NIRAB at the board meeting on Monday 4th July 2022.
NIRAB Advice to Regulators on Phase B of AMR RD&D programme
In this document NIRAB provides an update on the advice the Board has previously provided regarding Phase A of the AMR RD&D programme in July 2022. Here NIRAB urges vendors to focus on novel regulatory aspects for Advanced Reactors and different to current generating systems. Other areas of RD&D pointed out by NIRAB for consideration include fuel, new/different safety systems, whole lifecycle substantiation etc.
This report provides a summary of the several important strategic national initiatives, programmes and consultations NIRAB III has provided guidance and advice on during it’s three year term (2021-2024).
This document provides an overview of the six NIRAB working groups currently operating. It gives an outline of the structure of the groups required to address NIRAB’s initial six priority topics and brings together the terms of reference for the corresponding six working groups of NIRAB, along with their membership. The six working groups are: – Working group 1 – What does success look like? – Working group 2 – Facility Needs – Working group 3 – Nuclear Innovation Programme – Working group 4 – International Strategy – Working group 5 – Innovation to Enable Cost Reduction – Working...
UK Nuclear Innovation and Research Programme Recommendations, March 2016
This document sets out nuclear innovation and research recommendations that have been developed by the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board (NIRAB). The recommendations have been closely aligned to the needs of the UK nuclear industry, academia and national laboratories to promote economic growth, skills development and scientific excellence. The programme is also designed to harmonise with on-going programmes to deliver the UK decommissioning objectives.
Prioritisation of UK Nuclear Innovation and Research Programme Recommendations, November 2016
This report outlines the principles agreed by NIRAB in order to prioritise its 2015 programme recommendations to match a range of possible Government funding scenarios. The resulting prioritised five year programme options have been recommended to Ministers for consideration as Government develops its new Nuclear Innovation Programme.
This document presents a summary of the level of publicly funded nuclear fission research in 2014/15. It also presents a summary of the arrangements for the management of research within the NDA estate, which currently dominates the public nuclear R&D funding landscape.
