Wood and National Nuclear Laboratory partner for nuclear fuel research

National Nuclear Laboratory

THE UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has awarded a three-year contract to Wood and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) to research advanced nuclear fuels.

The two groups will use modelling and simulation tools to support the design, qualification, and fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels in the UK. The contract will focus on analysis methods for reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics and fuel performance for advanced water-cooled reactors, high temperature gas reactors, and liquid metal fast reactors and their respective nuclear fuels.

Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions, said: “Securing this work positions us very well for design opportunities on future reactor types, including small modular reactors, and positions us at the forefront of development in this area, creating potential benefits for existing nuclear generation customers. We will also be playing our part in developing key nuclear skills to help the UK meet its future energy needs.”

 The contract is effective immediately and half of the scope will be completed by Wood.