Rolls-Royce Welcomes Action From UK And US Governments To Usher In New ‘Golden Age’ Of Nuclear Energy
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Rolls-Royce.
These three paragraphs introduce the press release.
The agreement between the UK and US Governments to deepen cooperation in advanced nuclear technologies and make it quicker for companies to build new nuclear power stations sets the stage for a significant step forward in the energy security and resilience of the two nations. The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy will help ensure the accelerated development and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the US and UK. Building a bridge between the world’s first and world’s largest civil nuclear power markets.
The global market for advanced nuclear technologies is estimated to be worth many trillions up to 2050. Secure, scalable and reliable power across civil, defence, industrial and maritime sectors is needed to meet growing demands in digital and AI. In the US alone, demand for nuclear power is forecast to grow from 100GWe to 400GWe by 2050.
Rolls-Royce stands ready to seize the opportunity to further innovate and partner in the development of advanced nuclear technologies which will deliver thousands of skilled jobs, attract investment and support the economic growth of both the US and the UK.
Note.
- Rolls-Royce have several partners for the SMR, who include Siemens and a couple of American companies.
- Rolls-Royce are involved with US company; BWXT, in one of the consortia developing a micro-reactor for the US Department of Defense, which I wrote about in Rolls-Royce To Play Key Role In US Department Of Defense Nuclear Microreactor Program.
- Rolls-Royce also has a large design, development and manufacturing presence in the United States.
- The new engines for the B-52s are from Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce has a very strong footprint in the United States.
Rolls-Royce To Play Key Role In US Department Of Defense Nuclear Microreactor Program
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Rolls-Royce.
This paragraph outlines the program.
Rolls-Royce has been an industry leader in developing reliable sources of energy to help the Department of Defense and other customers be resilient using various energy sources. We pioneer cutting-edge technologies that deliver clean, safe and competitive solutions. We are excited to be part of the winning BWXT team along with Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Torch Technologies, and expand our capabilities in nuclear power generation.
There is also a link to this web press release on the BWXT web site, which is entitled BWXT to Build First Advanced Microreactor in United States.
This is the first paragraph.
BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) will build the first advanced nuclear microreactor in the United States under a contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO). The Project Pele full-scale transportable microreactor prototype will be completed and delivered in 2024 for testing at the Idaho National Laboratory.
These three paragraphs outline the design.
The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) will operate at a power level between 1 and 5 MWe and will be transportable in commercially available shipping containers. It will be powered by TRISO fuel, a specific design of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel that can withstand extreme heat and has very low environmental risks.
The transportable reactor core and associated control system is designed to maintain safety under all conditions, including transitional conditions throughout transport. The fuel has been tested and verified to temperatures far exceeding the operating conditions of the reactor.
The transportable design consists of multiple modules that contain the microreactor’s components in 20-foot long, ISO-compliant CONEX shipping containers. The reactor is designed to be safely and rapidly moved by road, rail, sea or air. The entire reactor system is designed to be assembled on-site and operational within 72 hours. Shut down, cool down, disconnection and removal for transport is designed to occur in less than seven days.
Note.
- This Wikipedia entry describes the HTGR.
- One of the advantages of the HTGR is that it can be built in relatively small unit sizes.
- These reactors can also produce heat as well as electricity.
- Some designs of HTGR use both nuclear and gas-turbine technology.
The last paragraph of the specification, sounds to be particularly challenging.
There is also an Anglo-Dutch design from the Universities of Manchester and Delft, which is called a U-battery.
- Their flyer is particularly informative.
- Two of their supporters are BWXT and Rolls-Royce.
Do the two projects share technology?
The Anonymous Widower 