Nuclear Energy: Next Generation of Reactors

When?

Tuesday 11 May 2010, 14.00 to 15.00

Where?

Lecture Theatre E

Open to:

Staff, Students

Speaker:

Prof. Paul J. A. Howarth, Director of Science, Technology & Project Delivery, National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield.

The Government’s Energy Review has highlighted the role nuclear energy can play in delivering a sustainable energy
mix for the UK. Nuclear has come back into the equation given concerns over increase in oil and gas prices, rising
CO2 emissions, the potential for blackouts, fossil fuel imports and uncertainty over renewable sources. However,
against this backdrop nuclear energy generating capacity will decrease significantly over the next decade as many stations
come off line and the timeframe for new nuclear build is tight. 

This presentation provides an overview of the potential role nuclear energy could play, the technologies available and the reactor systems that are being considered. It also covers where nuclear energy research is heading and more advanced nuclear reactor systems that could be deployed in the future.