Annex A
Some specific observations against the terms
of reference are included in this appendix.
The terms of reference for the nuclear engineering
case study are as follows:
The UK's engineering capacity to build a new generation
of nuclear power stations and carry out planned decommissioning
of existing nuclear power stations
NEW BUILD
- Planning and licensing process complete
by 2011, would require input from experienced engineers and scientists,
limited skills are available now within organisations such as
The National Nuclear Lab and Sellafield Ltd. (the Nuclear Industries
Inspectorate, which regulates safety at UK plants, has admitted
that it is already finding it difficult to recruit and believes
this is a common problem across this energy sector.)
- The designs should be reviewed to make
sure they accommodate provision for remote inspection, visual
and NDE, and also remote repair. For example the AP 1000 is reported
to have a design life of 60 years and routine inspection and unforeseen
repairs may be required during that time to maintain the safety
case and possibly extend the life of the reactor beyond its design
life.
- The use of standardised designs such as
the AP 1000 or EPR means that there will be minimal input required
from designers and scientists during the design phase.
- Current investment in nuclear related education
and training needs to be maintained to ensure the current highly
experienced but ageing workforce is replenished in a timely manner.
NTEC, NNL, NSAN are already gearing up to maintain skill levels
and funding must continue in this area. Fewer than 6% of the estimated
100,000 people who work in the industry-including 23,500 at degree
level-are under 24, while 31% are aged 45 and over.
- To support decommissioning investment in
remote handling, dismantling, size reduction and robotics, we
need to be able to accelerate these timescales and costs and minimise
dose to operators and the general public.
DECOMMISSIONING
CURRENT REACTOR
STATIONS
- Within the next 15 years with the exception
of Sizewell A, all currently operable power stations will have
been taken off line, and all will be in their care and maintenance
phases by the time Sizewell A closes in 2035.
- There is worldwide expertise in the decommissioning
of reactors however there is also world wide demand for these
skills. A "grow your own" policy would ensure the required
control over the supply and demand curve.
- There will be a big demand for reactor
decommissioning skill throughout the UK for the next 20 years
or so.
- Care and maintenance phase will make demands
on materials scientists, remote engineering surveillance systems
as well as conventional civil asset care and maintenance skills
on all reactor sites for around 80 years.
- Final dismantling will be primarily a conventional
civil demolition and waste management activity, but this activity
is two or three generations away.
LEGACY R&D FACILITIES,
PRODUCTION AND
REPROCESSING PLANTS,
PONDS AND
SILOS
- Decommissioning activities associated with
these types of facility will be more challenging than reactor
decommissioning due to their one of a kind status. Each facility
will present its own challenges and will require a higher degree
of design, development and R&D. The challenges are primarily
those of characterisation, segregation, remote handling and size
reduction. Sites such as Capenhurst (closure 2120), Culham 2020,
Dounreay 2036, Harwell 2025, Springfields 2031, Sellafield 2120,
Windscale 2065, and Winfrith 2020, will continue to place demands
on specialist nuclear R&D, engineering design and civils capabilities
for the next 120 years.
The value in training a new generation of nuclear
engineers versus bringing expertise in from elsewhere
The UK's nuclear skills shortage is being compounded
by the fact that already around 30 new atomic plants are under
construction in 11 other countries, with dozens more planned around
the world, from China to Russia and the US.
The role that engineers will play in shaping the
UK's nuclear future and whether nuclear power proves to be economically
viable
Science and Engineering skills will be required
for the following areas:
- Next generation reactor technology / design.
- Development of Fusion technology.
- Dose reduction / containment and shielding.
- Advanced Materials / nano tube / self cleaning.
- Decommissioning, decontamination, size
reduction, robots and remote handling.
- Remote intervention and repair, remote
surveillance, inspection and examination.
- Waste management / deep disposal / dry
store.
- Fuel technology / MOX II.
- Reprocessing / Thorp II.
- Recovery of heat from nuclear waste.
- Development of nuclear by products Hydrogen
fuel cell.
- Military / nuclear subs.
The overlap between nuclear engineers in the power
sector and the military
Significant particularly in the areas of:
- Next generation of nuclear subs (Astute
II).
- Reactor opertion and maintenance.
- Remote Intervention, inspection, NDE and
repair.
- Decommissioning / dismantling.
- Waste management and disposal.
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