188体育

Phase B of the聽AMR RD&D聽programme provides development funding for 2 high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) reactor designs to undertake FEED+聽(Front End Engineering Design and supporting activities) studies until March 2025, to help enable an AMR demonstration by the early 2030s.

In parallel Phase B will also push the development of an advanced fuel required for AMRs, through the UK Coated Particle Fuel (CPF) 鈥� Step 1 Programme. This first step builds on the learning of the Advanced Cycle Fuel Programme and provides the National Nuclear Laboratory with funding to coordinate a team to continue UK know-how and expertise on CPF fabrication and scale-up activities.

To support the development of the 3 projects in Phase B, the nuclear regulators will also carry out a focused programme of work.

1. Phase B reactor

UKJ-HTR: Design phase of a demonstration high temperature gas reactor in the UK

Led by National Nuclear Laboratory with the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency - 拢15 million

National Nuclear Laboratory, the UK鈥檚 national laboratory for nuclear fission, in partnership with its Japanese counterpart, the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency will progress the design of the UKJ-HTR - the UK鈥檚 first modular high temperature gas reactor. This next-generation reactor delivers much higher outlet temperatures than existing technology 鈥� up to 950掳C, enabling decarbonisation and efficient production of hydrogen. This project is based on close collaboration with the Japanese Atomic Energy Authority, who have decades of experience designing and operating this type of reactor. Demonstration of this technology will de-risk future investment and allow the coupling of nuclear assets to downstream processes through the provision of high-grade heat.

USNC UK micro modular reactor 3

Led by Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation UK - 拢22.5 million

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) UK will build on USNC鈥檚 existing micro modular reactor (MMR庐) design to develop a modified聽MMR 3 design that is best suited to UK industry鈥檚 current and projected future process heat demands, supporting the UK government鈥檚 target of net zero by 2050. The MMR 3 design will feature an聽increase in reactor outlet temperature to 750掳C and an increase in reactor thermal power and aims to demonstrate clean hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This project will leverage knowledge and experience from USNC鈥檚 existing MMR projects in North America, the Chalk River project in Canada and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign project in the USA, to accelerate technical progress. In addition, USNC UK will also develop long term partnerships and generate significant HTGR know-how and IP within the UK supply chain.

2. UK Coated Particle Fuel Programme 鈥� Step 1

Accelerating the development of UK coated particle fuel

Led by National Nuclear Laboratory - 拢16 million

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), the UK鈥檚 national laboratory for nuclear fission, working with its Japanese counterpart, the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency, will continue its vital programme to develop and produce coated particle fuel. This is the fuel used by the next generation of high temperature gas reactors that produce high-grade heat 鈥� vital to the UK鈥檚 decarbonisation goals. This investment will allow NNL鈥檚 scientists and engineers to continue work towards the production of UK sovereign fuel, a critical enabler for our future energy security. It builds on the government-funded Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme 鈥� which was the UK鈥檚 biggest investment in the nuclear fuel cycle in a generation 鈥� to deliver innovation in advanced fuels and recycling. In addition to increasing our world-leading skills in nuclear, we are providing a wealth of opportunities for both large and small companies in the fuel supply chain.