Westinghouse werkt in Verenigd Koninkrijk aan efficiëntieslag bij bouw van kleine modulaire kernreactoren
CHORLEY, Verenigd Koninkrijk–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Westinghouse Electric Company heeft vandaag bekendgemaakt dat het samen met het Britse Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) werkt aan onderzoek naar de effectiefste methodes bij de productie van reactordrukvaten voor kleine modulaire reactoren van Westinghouse in het Verenigde Koninkrijk.
Het onderzoek focust op een van de grootste en meest veeleisende onderdelen van een reactor – de reactordrukvaten. Het Nuclear AMRC biedt professionele, onafhankelijke beoordelingen van het huidige Westinghouse-ontwerp voor reactordrukvaten voor kleine modulaire reactoren. Het centrum bepaalt vervolgens welke productiemethode optimaal is. Nuclear AMRC heeft veel ervaring in het productieontwerp van grote, complexe onderdelen voor toepassingen waarbij veiligheid van kritiek belang is. Het centrum put daarbij uit brede academische en industriële kennis.
Westinghouse to Promote Advanced U.K. SMR Manufacturing Efficiencies
CHORLEY, United Kingdom–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today, Westinghouse Electric Company announced that it is working with the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) to explore the most effective way to manufacture Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs) in the U.K.
The manufacturing study will focus on RPVs – one of the largest and most demanding parts of any reactor. The Nuclear AMRC will provide a professional, independent assessment of the current Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor RPV design, and determine an optimal manufacturing solution. Nuclear AMRC has extensive experience in design for the manufacture of large complex parts for safety-critical applications, drawing on broad academic and industry knowledge.
“Innovative and advanced manufacturing techniques are fundamental to the cost-effective production of U.K. Small Modular Reactors,” said Mike Tynan, chief executive officer, Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
A key component of the manufacturing study will be identifying efficiencies within the advanced manufacturing process to significantly reduce capital costs and drive project savings. These savings, coupled with the U.K.’s strong nuclear supply chain and Westinghouse’s commitment to SMR technology would promote economic growth and job creation in the U.K.’s nuclear industry. The study will utilise expert knowledge of local manufacturing capabilities to identify potential suppliers for when the Westinghouse SMR enters production.
“The Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor is innovative and industry-leading technology that builds upon our extensive reactor and fuel technology expertise,” said Jeff Benjamin, Westinghouse senior vice president, New Plants and Major Projects. “The efficient construction of Westinghouse Small Modular Reactors can play an important part of the U.K.’s future by creating local manufacturing jobs to develop safe, clean and economical energy.”
The announcement of the manufacturing study further signals Westinghouse’s commitment to SMR technology in the U.K. In 2015 Westinghouse bid to partner with the U.K. Government to deploy Westinghouse’s Small Modular Reactor technology – a move that would advance the U.K. from buyer to global provider of the latest nuclear energy technology. Westinghouse’s Springfields facility, a strategic national asset in the U.K. employing over 1,000, recently achieved the requirements necessary to manufacture Westinghouse Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fuel in the U.K., something that no other SMR technology provider currently offers.
To learn more about Westinghouse Electric Company and our 130-year history of innovation visit www.westinghousenuclear.com.
About Nuclear AMRC: The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre works with companies along the supply chain to improve manufacturing capabilities and performance for civil nuclear and other innovative energy industries. It is part of the UK government-backed High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and managed by the University of Sheffield. For more information, see: namrc.co.uk
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Hans Korteweg
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