The challenge
With rising global energy demands, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a viable solution to support the UK’s climate emergency targets.
At the AMRC, we are helping Rolls-Royce SMR deliver a factory-built nuclear power station to meet the world's future sustainable energy needs.
Rolls-Royce SMR offers a radically different approach to develop a sustainable, low cost, repeatable and scalable clean energy solution. Each of the factory-built nuclear power stations will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years.
With a compact footprint taking advantage of factory-built modularisation techniques that drastically reduce the amount of on-site construction, Rolls-Royce SMR can deliver a low-cost nuclear solution that is competitive with renewable alternatives. It will be able to provide energy for the net zero manufacture of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, to support the path to net zero and the decarbonisation of transport.
What we're doing
How is the AMRC involved?
- Adaptive research capabilities: The AMRC is utilising its highly adaptive research capabilities to develop a manufacturing process containing advanced Industry 4.0 technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) modules to help Rolls-Royce SMR deliver a factory manufactured nuclear power station.
- Supply chain resilience: Supply chain is set to be at the forefront of the Rolls-Royce SMR programme with massive growth opportunities opening up for UK and global suppliers.
The AMRC team is engaging with a wide supply chain to deliver a digitally-integrated, at scale, manufacturing proof-of-concept, whereby embedding end-to-end digitally assisted smart processes which will allow for an accurate first-time build certainty, optimised build times and enhanced safety. - Employment opportunities: The AMRC is directly influencing the design and operation of the full-scale production factory which has the potential to create hundreds of job opportunities.
