Dr Mike Bluck
Director, Centre for Nuclear Engineering, Imperial College
Tuesday 28 May 2024
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE

Fuellers Advantage – A series of technical meetings, held jointly by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers with the Science Circle of the National Liberal Club

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
There is renewed global interest in nuclear power, particularly as a result of energy security concerns arising as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are thought by many to be the answer to the challenges in the deployment of nuclear power. If successful they could play a key role in decarbonisation, providing reliable low-carbon electricity and heat, in support of intermittent renewables. There are more than 50 designs globally, but all remain just that – designs. What are they, when will we see them, and will they be able to solve the nuclear industry’s problems? The UK has shortlisted six SMR designs, and a competition is underway. In this talk I will summarise the technologies, explain what ‘modular’ really means and what is needed from Government, industry and finance to realise this potential?