Industry Link - June 2016

MOMENTUM IS ONCE AGAIN BEHIND THE NEW BUILD PROGRAMME. HORIZON HAS APPOINTED A NEW CEO, AND THE EPC TEAM FOR WYLFA NEWYDD. NUGEN CONTINUES ITS CONSULTATION WORK AND A NUCLEAR-FIRST ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION FOR MOORSIDE. BOTH PROJECTS ARE CRUCIAL TO THE UK ECONOMY IN TERMS OF ENERGY AND EMPLOYMENT

MAGAZINE OF THE UK NUCLEAR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SUMMER / 2016

NIAUK.ORG

Creating a bright future in nuclear 18

DO THE FACTS BUILD SUPPORT

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The three keys to getting the right people 2 HORIZON’S NEW VENTURE / BROADENING HORIZON 7

Innovation Delivered

At the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory, we deliver the right amount of innovation to meet our customers’ needs.

On one level, we might simply drill a hole to analyse underground waste with our integrated microdrilling technology.

At the other extreme, we are developing state-of-the-art power systems to support deep space exploration.

Find out more about what we can do for you at www.nnl.co.uk or email B — SUMMER | 2016 customers@nnl.co.uk

Welcome to IndustryLink Welcome to our summer edition of Industry Link launched at the NIA’s annual Summer Reception. At the reception Horizon’s new CEO, Duncan Hawthorne will address members and I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago to discuss his ambitions for Horizon and Wylfa Newydd. In the same section Tristram Denton, Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe outlines the role of Menter Newydd, the EPC team for Wylfa Newydd.

Industry Link was set up for members and throughout this edition various NIA members talk about their experience in the nuclear sector. Callum Thomas, Thomas Thor outlines his vision on the crucial issue of attracting new people to the industry. Brian McConnell, Hydrock writes about the company’s success in the sector and what businesses need to do to win work and Oxford Technologies focus on what it takes to be a nuclear start-up.

Looking to the future, Paul Waldeck from Waldeck Consultants talks about the burgeoning issue of small modular reactors.

Outside of the sector, there really has only been one issue and Peter Haslam focuses on the EU Referendum in PowerPolitics.

The NIA has remained strictly neutral in the debate but with a decision (probably) known by the time you read this, the autumn edition could be a very interesting one.

Last but by no means least, Deanna Pearson, Sellafield Ltd deserves a special mention. Fronting the cover and writing in Industry Link, Deanna has been at the centre of the Government’s ‘Get In Go Far’ apprenticeship campaign.

Rupert Lewis Rupert.Lewis@niauk.org

WHY SMR`S ARE CREATING A BUZZ PAGE 20

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IN VIEW

OXFORD TECHNOLOGIES GOING IT ALONE FEATURE

The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is the trade association and representative voice of the UK’s civil nuclear industry. We represent over 60,000 UK nuclear workers across more than 260 member companies.

Nuclear Industry Association is a company limited by guarantee registered in England No. 2804518 Registered Office 5th Floor Tower House 10 Southampton Street London WC2E 7HA TEL +44(0)20 7766 6640 EMAIL info@niauk.org Editor - Rupert Lewis Art Editor - Dan Powney Contributors - Tom Greatrex, Sara Crane, Peter Haslam, Keith Parker, Shyam Sikotra, Callum Thomas – Thomas Thor Associates, Duncan Hawthorne – Horizon Nuclear Power, Tristram Denton – Hitachi Nucleart Energy Europe, Deanna Pearson – Sellafield Ltd, NAME – NuGeneration Ltd, NAME – Oxford Technologies, Dr Brian McConnell – Hydrock Group, Paul Waldeck – Waldeck Associates Ltd, with additional thanks to World Nuclear News

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Press Enquiries Sara.Crane@niauk.org TEL 07803 696 786 Advertisement Enquiries Rupert.Lewis@niauk.org 020 7766 6642

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Follow us: @NIAUK “ I didn't realise how my story could inspire other young people and change the general misconception that an apprenticeship is a Plan B”

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Cover image: Courtesy of Sellafield Limited — www. sellafieldsites.com

This magazine is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, using vegetable based inks.

The three keys to getting the right people BY. CALLUM THOMAS / CEO, THOMAS THOR

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The term ‘millennials’ is now an accepted way of describing people born roughly between 1980 and 2000. They are a group subject to much commentary, especially around what motivates them, their levels of expectations and how different they are to previous generations.

Having spent the last 17 years speaking with educated people between the age of 18 and 80 about their career aspirations, it seems clear to me everyone is basically motivated by the same things – Mastery, Autonomy and Purpose.

Levels of expectation may have risen in younger generations, but that is actually a benefit if their underlying motivations are addressed. Understanding these factors, and what they mean, is the key to attracting high quality graduates and experienced professionals of all ages to the nuclear industry.

Mastery: Fulfilment and happiness, in work and life, comes from successfully carrying out challenging, but not impossible, activities that require specific skills and a high level of expertise (Cal Newport’s book “So Good They Can’t Ignore You’’ is a good reference for this case). Gaining a high level of competence in anything requires a lot of focused practice, and focus is something of a rarity in today’s world of distractions.

Malcolm Gladwell suggests in his book “Outliers’’ that it takes around 10,000 hours of focused practice to master something.

Being amongst the elite in any given skill, activity or profession creates a very good feeling for anyone, regardless of age.

The nuclear industry offers a near perfect environment to gain mastery. The industry works in long term cycles, the level of cooperation between employees and organisations is uniquely high, there are numerous world class training and

mentoring programmes available and there is a high density of people in the later stages of their careers keen to impart their wisdom on others.

The key to attracting people to the industry is to explain these conditions and ensure line managers (not central corporate functions) have ultimate responsibility for developing ‘mastery’ in their team members.

Autonomy can be defined as being able to make your own decisions, both in and outside of work, and having the right level of decision making responsibility that builds confidence and allows lessons to be learned. In today’s working environment, an example could be deciding which hours to work and how to balance work, family and other life priorities.

Although the nuclear safety culture could be viewed as a fixed environment of safety rules and policies, it is actually a great environment to promote autonomy in the respect that every individual is responsible for their own safety and the safety of others around them.

In terms of HR policies, having a culture of flexible working is no longer a differentiator, but an essential part of employment.

Flexible working conditions, such as flexible working hours and flexible parental leave, motivate employees of all ages to take responsibility for their schedule and ultimately lead to higher quality work and greater ownership of objectives. The level of employee responsibility is already very high within the nuclear industry, and applying these principles to flexible working policies would help to attract and retain high quality people.

Purpose means doing something meaningful that leads to a sense of worth and fulfilment. It is always related to the values

of the individual, and most happy and loyal employees have found some clear link between their values and the purpose of their organisation or the project they are working on.

This is without doubt the area where the nuclear industry has the most opportunity to gain. For a carbon free energy source that improves energy security and helps countries improve standards of living, the nuclear energy industry is far too low down in peoples’ estimations.

Initiatives such as Nuclear for Climate and the work of organisations such as the NIA and World Nuclear Association are helping to correct public perceptions, but an industry-wide revolution of positive communication is needed to get the message across.

Sometimes people need support to find the relationship between their own values and the purpose of the industry or organisation in which they work, and the clear purpose of creating a stable and clean energy supply for the world is something that nearly all people relate to. This message should be communicated in branding materials, job adverts, interviews, media and conferences around the globe.

At best, treating people of each generation differently in the workplace unnecessarily adds to the workload by requiring additional approaches. At worst it is creating unhealthy barriers within organisations.

It is time to stop analysing differences between generations and channel all of our collective energy and focus on giving members of the nuclear industry the opportunity for Mastery, Autonomy and Purpose. This is key to attracting the best talent to the nuclear industry and offering them long term fulfilment.

2016 | SUMMER — 3

Media Watch EW WSSS NNNEEW

NDA announce R&D framework winners

In an interview with World Nuclear News, NuGen’s CEO Tom Samson discussed financing for the company’s Moorside development as well as his time in the UAE as COO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. He talks about the challenge of attracting investment from “private companies and not state entities” and utilising the UK, Japan and US export credit agencies to deliver a “cost-competitive solution for nuclear in the UK.” Drawing on his time in the UAE, Samson explains the “clear takeaways” are Government commitment and support as well as “the delivery and capability of your EPC consortium.”

Since taking over as the NIA’s Chief Executive, Tom Greatrex has been interviewed by a number of media outlets including; World Nuclear News, Carbon Brief, Utility Week and Nuclear Matters. Tom has also appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC World News and Channel 4 News to discuss the need for the UK’s new build programme.

Catch up on a number of Tom’s media interview on the NIA’s YouTube page - www.youtube.com/NuclearIndustryUK. Tom has also written for Utility Week setting out the case for Hinkley Point C, explaining it should go ahead despite “mischief making” and in the Scottish Herald commenting on ONS statistics which show nuclear operations contributed £3.5 billion to the economy in 2014.

Professor Gerry Thomas, was interviewed on the Today Programme discussing radiation effects. In the interview Gerry talks about the health consequences and risk associated with radiation as well as putting it into context. In a separate interview with BBC News, she explains nuclear radiation is a relatively new topic and people are scared of the unknown but “We've got plenty of evidence for that from the Chernobyl area where people have been followed now over 30 years and it looks as if there is nothing to be seen.”

Hinkley Point C received various levels of backing from the French Government. President Hollande publicly said he is “in favour of this project going ahead” and on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, France’s Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, Emmanuel Macron explained Hinkley is “very important for France, it's very important for the nuclear sector and EDF.” Macron reiterated this support in a letter sent to the UK’s Energy and Climate Change Select Committee before Vincent de Rivaz and Humphrey CadouxHudson, both EDF Energy, gave evidence to the Committee.

Skills Minster, Nick Boles MP announced the Government has committed £80 million for five new National Colleges, two of which will focus on nuclear in Cumbria and Somerset. £15 million has been set aside for the colleges which will have industry input from Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy as well as support from the University of Cumbria and University of Bristol.

Tom Greatrex welcomed the news: “Initiatives such as this highlight the Government’s long-term commitment to the UK’s nuclear decommissioning and new build programmes of work.”

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A host of NIA members have won R&D framework contracts issued by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) worth up to £12 million.

Ten consortia, involving over 70 companies of which 25 are NIA members will help the NDA by providing innovative solutions to some of its technical challenges across multiple sites. Seperated into three frameworks the contracts will focus on; university interactions, integrated waste management and site decommissioning and remediation as well as spent fuels and nuclear materials.

Amec Foster Wheeler will lead two of the consortia and the company’s Vice President for Decommissioning, Andy White said, “These awards deal with some of the industry’s biggest technical challenges and position us at the vanguard of innovation. The awards also enhance and further hone our expertise and put it at the service of the NDA.” Yvonne Morris, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s Research Manager said, “It was very pleasing to see so many SMEs being engaged in the process and being part of successful consortia. Overall we were delighted with the high quality of the submissions and look forward to working with the organisations on our strategic R&D programme.”

T

he nuclear lexicon as reported in the media, and commented upon by opinion formers, has a new set of initials to be found in headlines – alongside NNB, FID and EPR (amongst others) comes the latest TLA* – the SMR. Or small modular reactors.

Of course, the concept of the SMR is not, in itself, new, and is an idea many in industry have been well aware of for several years. Small reactors exist, and are used, in submarines for example, and there has been plenty of discussion about applying that expertise to producing small reactors to generate clean, reliable power as part of a low carbon electricity generation mix.

As 24GW of centrally dispatchable power has gone off the system in the UK since 2010, and the need to replace that and other plant which will come to the end of its life in the next decade (even having taken into account lifetime extensions announced earlier this year), then it is perhaps not surprising that SMR technology has recently also caught the interest and imagination of – amongst others – Government Ministers, academics and commentators.

In the relatively short time I have been in post at the NIA, it is one of the issues I

am most frequently asked about by those with an interest – but not necessarily involvement – in nuclear energy.

Some are enthused by what they read or hear in the media, manufacturers and the potential supply chain are acutely interested in prospects for more UK content, and politicians are curious about whether they can secure the development of a smaller reactor in their constituency.

There is always a danger that new (or in this case not so new) ideas do more than triggering interest and imagination, and fuelled by high expectations and ambitious claims, morph into the latest silver bullet to solve all of the country's energy issues.

Over-promising would undermine the SMR before it has begun. Those involved in potential SMR projects are themselves well aware of what the significance of a complementary technology, alongside larger new nuclear projects, other low carbon generation and thermal plant, could be.

That is why the UK Government is doing the right thing – seeing the potential wider economic opportunity for manufacturing businesses and the supply chain, noting the opportunity to utilise modular construction to reduce project risk and

for new reactors to be responsive to the fluctuations of power demand.

The way in which that potential is evaluated, and a careful, considered and realistic assessment of technology options being presented in the UK, is absolutely vital. With the Government due to produce an SMR roadmap towards the end of this year, and further details of an SMR competition promised, then we are at the start of a crucial period.

With SMR vendors and potential developers amongst our membership, the NIA will be helping inform Government as it develop its thinking, and ensuring industry perspectives are taken on board.

Designing a competition process that is both robust and meaningful is an important task. There are too many frustrating examples of earlier energy competitions that have resulted in failure – not necessarily because of a technology deficiency, but often because the process was too inflexible and complex.

To that end, as well as facilitating discussions with Government, we are establishing a Reference Group (for NIA members only) on SMR – if you are interested in being involved in the group please contact Rachel Dowling at rachel.dowling@niauk.org.

*three letter acronym

Tom Greatrex on... SMRs 2016 | SUMMER — 5

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New reactors start up Watts Bar Unit 2 in Tennessee achieved criticality for the first time. The 1165 MWe pressurised water reactor is the first reactor to become operational in the US, since Watts Bar 1 in 1996 and is likely to be the final generation-II reactor to come online.

Building of the second unit began in 1972 but work was suspended in 1985, half-way through its construction schedule, because of a projected decrease in demand which made it uneconomical to finish the build.

After a 22 year hiatus, Tennessee Valley Authority decided to resume work, awarding an engineering, procurement and construction contract to Bechtel.

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AP1000 fuel line moves to production Construction has been completed for China’s first reactor fuel production line for the AP1000. Westinghouse is providing the first cores for the four AP1000s nearing completion at Sanmen and Haiyang.

In a £24 million deal, announced in January 2011, Westinghouse agreed to "design, manufacture and install fuel fabrication equipment" for China

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National Nuclear Corporation subsidiary China North Nuclear Fuel.

Construction of the AP1000 fuel line at the Baotou fuel fabrication facility in Inner Mongolia began in March 2012.

Sanmen unit 1 in Zhejiang province is expected to be the first AP1000 to begin operating this September, while Haiyang 1 in Shandong province is expected to start up by the end of the year.

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EIA predicts strong growth for nuclear generation to 2040 The US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released the latest edition of its International Energy Outlook. Amongst a number of other assertions, the report predicts global nuclear electricity generation will double by 2040.

It concludes nuclear energy will be the third fastest growing source after natural gas and renewables. Global generating capacity is expected to see 2.3% annual growth between 2012 and 2040, from 2.3 trillion kWh to 4.5 trillion.

The EIA explains total world energy consumption will increase by almost 50%, from 2012 to 2040, with growth driven by industrialisation in non-OECD countries, especially in Asia.

The report also predicts China, India and the USA will remain the top three coal-consuming countries, together accounting for more than 70% of global coal use. Natural gas consumption will grow 1.9% annually over the same period and renewable energy sources are projected to be the world’s fastest growing energy source until 2040, with an annual growth of 2.9%.

Although non-fossil fuels are set for rapid growth, the EIA explain fossil fuels will still account for 78% of electricity in use in 2040.

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Flamanville EPR vessel tests extended Areva and EDF's programme for testing mechanical properties of Flamanville 3's reactor pressure vessel has been extended.

Previously the tests were to be carried out on samples from two forged parts but will now be conducted on a third.

This follows French regulator Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN) releasing information about the discovery of anomalies in the composition of the steel in certain parts of the reactor vessel for the EPR. The testing program will run until the end of 2016, when a final report will be submitted by Areva and EDF to ASN.

For more details on these and other stories please visit www.world-nuclear-news.org

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“ This is an incredibly exciting, and nationally significant project to be involved with, and one which gave me the opportunity to come back to the UK.” Duncan Hawthorne CEO, Horizon Nuclear Power

Broadening Horizon BY. RUPERT LEWIS

While the nuclear industry is often viewed as a slow-moving sector, Horizon Nuclear Power is in the process of altering that unfair stereotype all on its own.

Its chosen reactor design, the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) has proceeded to the final step of the regulators Generic Design Assessment (GDA). It has moved into new headquarters in Gloucester and a million pound site office extension at Wylfa Newydd is underway. A Horizon apprenticeship scheme was launched in February, with the first intake due this September together with its latest set of graduates. The company has also just finished a successful local consultation and completed its latest tranche of archaeological work.

Alongside all of this it has appointed a new CEO and I recently spoke with him to discuss his aspirations for Horizon.

For many in the nuclear industry Duncan Hawthorne needs no introduction. Horizon’s new CEO led Canada’s Bruce Power since its formation in 2001, and served as Chair of the World Association of Nuclear Operators, until recently presiding over WANO's governing board. Even Horizon isn’t really a new place of work as he has been on its Board of Directors since 2013.

So with much already achieved and no need to add to a comprehensive CV, why choose to lead a project amongst the heart of a pressurised nuclear new build programme?

It is clear his fierce advocacy for nuclear power was one of the main drivers, “This is an incredibly exciting, and nationally significant project to be involved with, and one which gave me the opportunity to come back to the UK.” Even after only four weeks (at the time) in the job, the buzz is clear, “There is so much optimism around the place and at the moment, I’m just trying to get around to meet as many people as possible.”

Within those four weeks, Horizon announced the Delivery Team that will take forward the build at Wylfa Newydd. Menter Newydd, Welsh for ‘new venture’, is made up of Bechtel, JGC and Hitachi Nuclear Energy Europe. “Their role as the Delivery Team is to plan it, cost it and validate it against the timelines and project

milestones we have already put in place,” adding “The amount of experience within the Menter Newydd framework is unrivalled.”

Indeed, collectively the companies in the joint venture have been part of over 170 new build projects.

With the Delivery Team in place, Wylfa Newydd is gathering pace but a number of hurdles still need to be crossed, “The ABWR is still going through the ONR’s GDA process and discussions are ongoing with Government about support for the project.” After only a handful of meetings with Government officials he makes a point about political support, “The Government’s policy position is critical and we must deliver on this commitment.” He also talks about the need for a “social licence” from the host community.

On this, Duncan speaks warmly about the Isle of Anglesey, explaining the people are welcoming and understand the benefits of an operating nuclear power station, having lived with and benefited from one for more than 40 years. His determination shines through when pressed on the media scrutiny of new nuclear, “Just draw a graph of the current EDF Energy stations in operation and when they will shut down.

The need for new nuclear is clear… no one ever really talks about how nuclear energy has kept the lights on for decades and what switching them off would mean.”

Looking to the future he explains, “There will always be a role for nuclear”, but he cautions on the industry hot topic of the day, small modular reactors, “There is a role for them, but they alone aren’t the future of the industry… to make them economical you need a batch grouped together so why not build a large-scale reactor?”

Even from only the shortest of introductions, his confidence comes across immediately. Laying the foundations, ticking all the boxes, jumping though all the hoops as well as building a capable team is an incredibly daunting task but I think Duncan sees Wylfa Newydd, Oldbury and other projects to follow, as a list of opportunities to deliver rather than problems to overcome.

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ombined, the partners in Menter Newydd have been involved in the delivery of more than 170 nuclear power plants, the world over.

These include four Advanced Boiling Water Reactors (ABWRs) - which have reached operations to time and cost as well as the first nuclear power station authorised to operate in the USA this century, at Watts Bar in Tennessee.

Add to this countless oil and gas projects, roads, railways, bridges, ports, airports and a whole host more, and it is clear this joint venture of Hitachi, Bechtel and JGC truly is a global heavyweight.

The appointment of Menter Newydd was labelled “an important step” by Horizon, and it’s easy to see why. In a sector where credibility and certainty are key, the credentials of the delivery team are essential to investor confidence for Wylfa Newydd.

As Bechtel’s Mike Robinson, Deputy Project Director for Menter Newydd, said: “Our job is to provide world-class delivery, including a robust construction plan, a proven technology and a strong supply chain. These will play a vital role in giving decision-makers the confidence they need.”

Menter Newydd is day-by-day establishing itself in the UK, with a growing team at its Gloucestershire HQ – particularly its combined construction team, which will complement Hitachi’s existing UK-based engineering and ABWR expertise.

Though clearly shaped to provide EPC delivery, Menter Newydd management has been cautious to remain grounded in the medium term. “The customer needs a schedule and cost they can rely on”, says Hitachi’s Malcolm Twist, Project Director for Menter Newydd.

“We need to select our first tranche of Tier 2 partners, and work with them to develop a well-founded and enduring construction plan for the site.” This is, he explains, crucial in providing clarity to Horizon, to potential contractors, and to the local community.

Of course Menter Newydd already has one major subcontractor in place – Hitachi-GE. The Japan-based giant has been under a Front End Engineering Design contract to Horizon since 2012, and is now working under contract to Menter Newydd, with its focus resolutely on the delivery of the Generic Design Assessment. With the process

Horizon’s new venture BY. TRISTRAM DENTON ⁄ COMMUNICATIONS, HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY EUROPE, LTD.

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widely recognised as being on-track for completion by the end of December 2017, the tried and tested ABWR technology looks set to play a major role in the UK’s new nuclear renaissance.

UK, Welsh and local jobs and contracts have always been important to Horizon, and that approach clearly flows through to Menter Newydd. One of the real strengths of JGC is its experience of integrating Japanese and global supply chains, and Tsuyoshi Iwasaki – Deputy Project Director for Menter Newydd – explained: “The opportunities for the UK supply chain are significant: in leading on significant scope, and in partnering firms the partners have worked with on previous projects”.

Menter Newydd expects to partner Horizon for a supply chain event later this year, explaining more to firms about how they can become further involved in the project.

What’s clear is that Menter Newydd means business. The sense of progress around the team is tangible, and whilst there’s a clear recognition of the task ahead, the company bears the quiet confidence of a team which has faced such challenges before, and met them.

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or many reasons, I didn't choose to go down the usual route of applying to UCAS and going to University like most of my family members, school peers and even best friends. I can’t say that I didn’t have moments of doubt about my decision; as the last term of school was coming to a close, I began to feel very anxious, doubting the choice I made to be different and start an apprenticeship.

Deanna is one of seven apprentices featuring in the national campaign GET IN GO FAR Although my A level results day was one in which I felt extremely proud, I knew that the general feeling from most of my teachers was disappointment, in their eyes I wasn’t ‘fulfilling my potential’ and going off to university.

Realising my potential BY. DEANNA PEARSON ⁄ HEALTH PHYSICS MONITOR, SELLAFIELD LTD

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Support towards applying for an apprenticeship was I knew I needed to provide for my little girl, this was my available in my sixth form, however I felt the assistance I priority, and by going down this route I have done that; but I received did not compare to those have done so much more. I have who were applying to university. not just started work, I have begun I completed my application, did my career, which is something I a series of aptitude tests and am so proud of. I am genuinely interviews, and nine months later excited for the future as well as – I began with Sellafield Ltd as a enjoying every day working within Health Physics Monitor apprentice. a team on such unique aspects As soon as I started, I knew within the decommissioning of the straight away that I made the right site. I have become a role model decision; from the people I met, to my daughter and I hope I’ll to the on-the-job training I was continue to make her proud in the experiencing, I began to feel a real years to follow. sense of purpose and could see a I was over the moon to be successful career in an industry I chosen as one of the faces of the “ I didn't realise how my story could found interesting and challenging, Government’s GET IN GO FAR paving the way in front of me. I apprenticeship campaign. I was inspire other young people and never thought when I was in sixth shocked when I was first asked to change the general misconception form I would be working within the take part; I never expected to be that an apprenticeship is a Plan B” nuclear industry, but now I can’t chosen as the face of a national imagine working anywhere else. campaign, but I’m really pleased I have had countless opportunities to develop myself – both that I’ve been given this opportunity to represent the high calibre academically and personally – since starting and completing my of young people we have in Cumbria and at Sellafield Ltd. I didn't realise how my story could inspire other young apprenticeship. Not only has the challenge of working at the people and change the general misconception that an world’s most complex nuclear site taught me core skills, in which apprenticeship is a fall back option or a ‘Plan B’. It’s my I feel I have created a solid foundation of sought after qualities passion to make the apprenticeship route for a majority, the and skills, I have been able to experience extracurricular activities ‘Plan A’ and to show people that an apprenticeship is just as such as community projects and raising money for charities; in good, if not better, than going to university. doing so I have made lots of life-long friends along the way.

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The ideal mix BY. RUPERT LEWIS

By the time this edition of goes to print, England could already be out of Euro 2016. But writing this before the first game I’m quietly confident we will have survived to at least the Round of 16. In fact, I predict England will have drawn with Russia, beaten Wales (obviously) and four points should have been enough to go through, even before we played Slovakia.

We all know that making predictions is a fool’s game; just ask the bookies who lost £25 million the day Leicester won the Premier League. However one thing for certain is the issue of team selection will dominate the football phone-ins after every game, in the same sort of way people belligerently argue about their ideal source of energy.

There will always be those who cling onto John Terry’s involvement (coal), the fans who believe Wayne Rooney is England’s best player (gas), James Milner – unfussy, consistent, effective but not noisy (nuclear), those who believe in the injury-plagued Jack Wilshere, who sometimes doesn’t work (renewables), and finally the silver bullet to winning the tournament – Marcus Rashford (fracking).

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Like football, for those that care, the makeup of the UK’s energy mix is quite a tribal issue. Especially in developed countries, where it’s pretty much recognised that climate change is an issue, or at the very least air pollution is one, and most are on a pathway towards decarbonisation.

In the UK, the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd MP has spelled out the Government’s ideal energy mix. Coal is to be phased out by 2025, more offshore wind, no more solar, a major nuclear expansion and a significant contribution from gas – with a nod to fracking.

Other’s including DECC’s former Chief Scientific Adviser have argued for a different system and calling out the “appalling delusion” that renewables alone can power the UK. In his final interview before his untimely death, David MacKay said it was time to “call a spade, a spade”, and argued for a mix of nuclear and carbon capture and storage.

He concluded intermittent renewables, without industrial scale storage, are simply not well-matched, as peak demand in the winter is at precisely the time of poor sunlight and unpredictable wind.

The NIA’s position is clear – there is no silver bullet and nuclear needs to work alongside renewable technologies as well as gas in the transition to a lowcarbon energy sector. Many in the Green lobby take a different view, arguing now is exactly the right time to push ahead so we can turn our back on fossil fuels and nuclear.

But, in Germany, the energiewende, which initiated an accelerated phase out of nuclear and an expansion of renewables has so far been counterintuitive. Energy bills are rising as well as carbon emissions, simply because of the intermittency of renewable generation, carbon-heavy coal is being used to back them up. What if the Germans had kept their nuclear stations running as well as its drive for increased renewable capacity - then maybe we would have our ideal energy mix?

A different set of ‘what ifs’ will plague Roy Hodgson, unless England win Euro 2016. In fact I bet we’ll be talking about what if he had picked four recognised centre-backs, dropped Rooney, or taken Townsend? It’s all about the ideal mix for the team, not individuals Roy…

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We believe that our continued success is a direct result of continuing to do things the GRAHAM way – keeping business simple, being efficient and effective in all that we do, keeping our people safe, commitment to the protection of our environment and working with local communities and businesses to generate long lasting and sustainable economic benefits.

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2016 | SUMMER — 13

Moorside site Nuclear Island + Warehouses.jpg: Indicative Images of the how the Moorside Site might look © NuGeneration Ltd — www.nugeneration.com

IN VIEW

Moving forward with Moorside

SHORTLISTED TEAMS IN RIBA COMPETITION: →→C.F Architects →→Faulkner Browns Architects →→Graeme Massie Architects →→K2 Architects →→Reiach and Hall Architects →→William Matthews Associates www.ribacompetitions.com/ moorside/shortlist.html

SHORTLISTED TEAMS IN LI COMPETITION: →→Aecom Infrastructure and Environment Ltd →→Estell Warren Ltd →→HEPLA in association with HarrisonStevens →→Iteriad, Stephenson Halliday and Charles and Lily Jencks supported

by Atkins Engineers →→One Creative Environments http://moorside.landscapeinstitute. org/submissions

14 — SUMMER | 2016

NuGen’s Second Stage Public Consultation on plans for the Moorside Project to build a new nuclear power station close to the existing Sellafield nuclear complex is well underway, with well over 2,000 people attending the public events held across Cumbria by the time it reached the half-way stage.

The 11-week consultation was launched by NuGen’s deputy chairman, Robert Armour, at NuGen’s Moorside Information Centre in Whitehaven on 14 May. The first of around 30 public events for people to Have Their Say, including schools and educational sessions, events held for businesses and suppliers in West Cumbria and an event run specifically for people working at the neighbouring Sellafield site.

A dedicated website has been set up (www.nugenconsultation.com) containing

all NuGen’s Moorside Project consultation materials, and provides the opportunity for anyone to respond to the proposals.

In a further move to engage the public with the plans, in a world first, NuGen invited designers from across the globe to come up with building design and landscape ideas for the Moorside site – with the aim of generating a positive lasting legacy for the region.

Shortlisted designs were announced by the Landscape Institute (LI) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), following a selection process carried out by an independent panel of experts - including Sir Terry Farrell (the British architect and urban designer famous for work including the MI6 Building in London) and Paul Tiplady (former Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority).

NuGen CEO, Tom Samson, said: “NuGen wants to deliver the very best possible project for the people of Cumbria and are working with RIBA and LI to access their extensive network and ensure we attract the very best design professionals to provide an iconic design and a positive legacy for years to come.

“The architecture and landscape community have embraced the challenge and have delivered some thoughtful, considered and visually breath-taking proposals for our Moorside Project. We’ve narrowed the entries down to five - but we’re very keen to hear what the public think of our selection.”

The successful landscape and architecture designs are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

“ We have had an overwhelming response to the competition, both in terms of numbers and the level of creativity in the designs.”

Tom Samson CEO, NuGeneration Ltd

2016 | SUMMER — 15

Oxford Technologies Going it alone

S

pecialist firm, Oxford Technologies, is riding high on the surge in demand for remote handling solutions in the nuclear industry - pushing the boundaries of engineering in areas ranging from vision and image processing and human -machine interfacing to virtual and augmented reality.

The origins of this unique company can be found in the Culham-based Joint European Torus (JET) project, whose aim was to advance the search for a way of obtaining power from nuclear fusion. It was there in the late 1980s that a talented group of young contract engineers were brought together to form the JET Remote Handling Team, under the leadership of Dr. Alan Rolfe.

For the next 20 years this tight-knit unit worked together developing an unparalleled level of understanding of the requirements and challenges of creating remote handling solutions in a nuclear environment.

During this time, it became clear there would be an ongoing need for their particular expertise and, with ITER - one of the world’s most ambitious energy projects - looming on the horizon, the time was right to create a new, independent company.

At first JET was the sole customer of the fledgling company, which rented offices at the Culham site and, as Marketing and Business Development Director, Stephen Sanders, explains, “In those early days we were climbing a really steep learning curve; there were many, many sleepless nights and 18-hour days to be endured before we won our first major external contract.”

Since then the company has continued to grow year-onyear, moving from Culham into its current offices in Abingdon.

Meanwhile, the number of staff has expanded from those initial half dozen engineers, to 57 staff. In the latest stage of its development, the company was sold to Kurion Inc. in

16 — SUMMER | 2016

2015, providing an even wider international platform for the company’s activities.

One of the most important growth areas for Oxford Technologies has been its expansion into nuclear decommissioning, a field in which its remote handling expertise gives it a major competitive advantage.

Stephen continues, “The methodologies and operational experience we developed over many years in fusion have been a key factor in our success in the decommissioning field. As part of our strategy to develop further into this area, we joined the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) in 2015 and are sure that membership has helped to increase our exposure and network outside of fusion.

“Tom Greatrex, the NIA’s Chief Executive recently toured our offices and following on from that, Mark Sharpe our Business Development Manager for the Nuclear Sector, has arranged for a large group of NIA members to visit later this year. We are confident that when decommissioning stakeholders see our track record, further growth opportunities will follow and having NIA members at our facility will help to achieve this goal.”

A recent example of this work has been a contract Oxford Technologies won to design and manufacture the Shaft Intervention Platform for waste retrieval from the Dounreay shaft, which resulted in an anticipated saving of approximately £600, 000 from the project budget.

Stephen sums up: “It has been quite a journey from Culham to Abingdon. We have all worked incredibly hard, suffered set-backs and celebrated successes - but what we have proved more than anything, I think, is that talented, dedicated engineers can build a great business.”

2016 | SUMMER — 17

Creating a bright future in the nuclear sector

Nuclear power will play a critical role in delivering low-carbon energy in the UK for decades to come.

At Hydrock, we are excited to help the industry deliver safe, efficient and sustainable nuclear power. We are also proud to develop future talent within our specialist business teams, hiring graduates and early-career professionals to work alongside senior, industry-recognised experts.

This is important for the future of the sector as the industry faces an ageing demographic because ‘new’ nuclear power has been on hold for so long. Actively encouraging the next generation of commercially-minded nuclear scientists is very important, and our graduate intake and support of specific NIA regional events for emerging talent is a key commitment for us.

It is against this background that Hydrock developed its position within the nuclear sector towards the end of the previous decade. As an engineering and specialist contracting business we recognised we could bring value to the planned new build programme together with areas such as decommissioning, existing generation and defence.

By engaging with the sector, understanding the issues and needs, and developing a first-class team of people, we have contributed strongly to the sector and it has undoubtedly helped grow our overall business. To date it has been worth approximately £60 million to us – clearly an important contribution.

18 — SUMMER | 2016

For several years, Hydrock has been responsible for the ongoing remediation programme to prepare the Hinkley Point C site, addressing the safe segregation, removal and validation of over 450,000 tonnes of materials. In June 2014, we strengthened our position in the nuclear sector, acquiring Nuclear Management Consultancy Ltd, now rebranded as Hydrock NMCL. Jennifer Richards, Managing Director of Hydrock NMCL has grown her team within our business to 15 staff and has a strong order book and pipeline delivering high-end strategic consultancy on safety and environmental standards. Jennifer’s team also supports our broader business in providing in-depth knowledge of working within this industry.

We work for all three new build developers, EDF Energy, NuGen and Horizon, supporting their regulatory commitments and long-term business plans. We also work in existing generation, defence and decommissioning and we are in discussions with a number of small modular reactor developers.

Our safety and environmental consultancy work takes us as far afield as Japan where we are advising TEPCO on nuclear safety at Fukushima. Bringing NMCL into Hydrock has taken us to the heart of the nuclear industry and created

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“ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMERCIALLY-MINDED NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS IS VERY IMPORTANT.” business relationships for a wide range of our teams.

So what does it take to win work in the nuclear sector? For new entrants it is essential your services meet the stringent requirements of quality and safety in the nuclear industry. In new build, for example, there is a vast array of services and products required which are ‘non-nuclear’; everything from catering to transport to training, as well as the specialist manufacturing and engineering requirements.

To be credible as a nuclear supply chain partner you need: →→A

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→→A

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→→Conformance

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appreciation of this very unique sector and why it is so highly regulated

→→Commitment

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long term →→Understanding

of what it takes to build a nuclear power facility

Being aware of the constraints and ‘rules’ which the nuclear industry operates within, and being creative within these rules is key to success.

It requires an ability to build strong, credible relationships and have a very open, collaborative, inclusive culture as a business. These are values at the heart of Hydrock. We are intrinsically very people focused, recognising the motivation and wellbeing of our people is fundamental to creating a working environment that inspires them to deliver outstanding work for clients.

Being part of the NIA has also really helped us to grow awareness of our business within the sector –contacts made at NIA events are invaluable in building up your nuclear network.

The future of nuclear looks bright and we are committed to growing our capability and encouraging the next generation to play an active part in ensuring its success.

DR BRIAN McCONNELL Managing Director Hydrock Group

2016 | SUMMER — 19

Why SMRs are creating a buzz Paul Waldeck, founder and director of Waldeck Consulting, was a key speaker at April’s 6th Annual International Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and Advanced Reactor Summit in Atlanta. The summit is the largest in the world and brought together technology designers, service providers, clients, funders and regulatory bodies.

Touted as the next big innovation in nuclear, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are seen as a means to build a more modern nuclear landscape, avoiding cost overruns that have affected the industry.

And for good reason too, for SMRs have a greater simplicity of design, shorter construction times and reduced siting costs. These small reactors can also be positioned below ground, reducing the security threat.

The buzz around SMRs was never more evident than at April’s International SMR and Advanced Reactor Summit. Over 300 industry experts worldwide had travelled to Atlanta to share expertise on how to take the technology from design to commercial reality.

Roll out of SMRs is already underway in the USA and Asia, with the UK quickly identifying its potential. Over the next five years, the UK will invest £250 million in an ambitious nuclear research and development programme. Through collaboration with international partners, up to 50 of 100 of SMRs worldwide could be sited in the UK by 2039 – a global market worth up to £340 billion.

As the world takes increased interest in SMRs, there are key points to be taken from the summit:

1. The future is digital Use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is crucial to the

20 — SUMMER | 2016

successful construction of SMRs, but this is just the start. A nuclear facility is a long-term asset, and effective maintenance ensures it remains safe, efficient and accessible.

Project Lifecycle Management (PLM) takes BIM from construction phase to technology that is used throughout the asset’s lifecycle. Detailed tagging of assets – anything from diameter of pipes to ventilation system servicing requirements – is directly interfaced with a site’s facilities management programme.

This optimises plant performance and maintenance, creating a ‘digital twin’ on which scenarios can be modelled and real-time insights can be made. Not only does this ensure significant cost-savings, but it’s also vital for efficient, safe decommissioning.

2. The UK is a powerful voice on SMR technology While UK presence at the summit was slight – just five delegates – its influence was great. Professor Tony Roulstone, of Cambridge University, outlined how his research will help SMRs achieve competitive economics in the UK, whilst Mike Middleton of Energy Technologies Institute made clear how SMRs are key to future energy security.

Rolls Royce’s Alan Wood struck valuable comparisons with the aerospace industry, where manufacturing

a greater number of smaller planes has proved a model for success. Wood discussed how a drive in efficiency, process and technology, combined with high standards of safety, quality, environmental impact and traceability, had been delivered through this model.

Useful lessons for an industry about to follow a similar trajectory.

3. The USA and Asia are leading the way China surprised delegates with its rapid progress, announcing that it will pour its first SMR plant concrete by the end of 2017 – six years earlier than other nations. The USA has also made exciting technological advancements, and the two nations are well ahead in the deployment of feasibility programmes.

As the UK focuses on creating the best value SMR design, the competition is on to secure a position in the global market.

PAUL WALDECK Director Waldeck Associates Limited

SNAPSHOT

A hole down under BY. SHYAM SIKOTRA

In Australia there has been a shift away from traditional industries to new hightech ones in advanced manufacturing and biotechnology to name a few. Another industry being considered is an expansion of its civil nuclear capabilities.

Australia holds one third of the world’s uranium deposits, but has no power stations exploiting this wealth of resource.

In fact, it has long been a country where nuclear power is seen as taboo.

An anti-nuclear movement developed in the 70's, initially focusing on banning nuclear weapons and limiting uranium mining, before eventually shifting its focus to environmental and economic costs.

Australia’s development of nuclear power was also dampened by its abundant low cost coal and natural gas reserves.

However in recent years, nuclear has seen somewhat of a revival. In early 2015, The Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill announced a Royal Commission

would investigate the role the region could play in the nuclear fuel cycle.

Established so local government and the public would be provided with a solid base of facts, the Commission focused on four key areas: exploration and extraction of minerals; further processing of minerals and manufacture of materials containing radioactive substances; use of nuclear fuels for electricity generation; and the storage and disposal of radioactive and nuclear waste.

In its investigations, the Commission heard from 132 expert witnesses and published a final report in May outlining 12 key recommendations for increasing South Australia’s involvement in the nuclear industry.

The key conclusion from the report proposed the establishment of storage and disposal facilities for multi-national used nuclear fuel and intermediate-level waste. It explains South Australia “has

the necessary attributes and capabilities to develop a world-class waste disposal facility, and to do so safely”. A project which could generate more than AUD100 billion in income, in excess of expenditure, over the 120-year life of the project.

Weatherill heralded the report as the start of a “very important conversation” and that an expansion of the nuclear industry “would have extraordinary economic benefits for South Australia”.

In other countries the disposal of waste is a topic of hot discussion, Sweden and Finland are developing disposal facilities, the UK is assessing the country’s geology for a site, Japan wants to find a home for its waste and US efforts have stalled.

Therefore the fact Australia, a nonnuclear generating country, sees nuclear waste as an opportunity and not a detriment, is an extremely interesting one and could represent a major shift in the debate.

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2016 | SUMMER — 21

Do the facts build support?

BY. SARA CRANE

B

oaty McBoatface (never thought I'd write that in Industry Link), Leicester City and the junior doctors strike all galvanised public support in a way the nuclear industry would love to.

While Boaty McBoatface and Leicester's Premier League title winning dreams were all about the British public's love of an underdog, the doctor’s strike showed how public support for a controversial issue can be gained.

It is no secret public don't trust the message Government delivers. Whatever the colour, or colours, of the party in power, Government spokespeople are notoriously viewed with scepticism.

The same research shows academics are trusted, and when you think that on a day-to-day basis the public trust junior doctors with their lives, why wouldn't they respect their opinion that the new contract terms are ‘dangerous’.

In April, just before an unprecedented two-day walkout, 57% of the public supported the action.

In this instance, the clear explanation of the facts from the doctors helped people make their own minds up.

So is there a way the nuclear industry can use this experience to help build support for our often criticised sector?

The Nuclear Industry Association recently published its first Nuclear Energy Facts booklet.

In it, we explain in simple terms what we do as an industry and some of the science behind it.

We gave these booklets out to visitors at The Big Bang Fair in March, and while the kids attending took them, it was the teachers and parents we hoped to engage. To give them simple well-presented facts, not spin and hyperbole which so often comes from entrenched opponents, so they can make up their own minds and hopefully use it as a teaching aid.

It is important to arm all our nuclear employees with this information. It may make non-technical employees feel more involved in what we all do as a sector and our aims and objectives beyond the company bottom line.

It will also be an important tool for companies who have signed up the nuclear industry Concordat for public engagement. But perhaps more importantly for those who haven't, so we can all work together as an industry to talk openly about the vital work we do as a whole.

While the public will never be as spirited by nuclear as they were about Boaty McBoatface, we can try by giving them the tools to make an informed choice.

22 — SUMMER | 2016

MORE PEOPLE SUPPORTREPLACEMEN NEW BUILD THAN OPPOSE

%

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF NUCLEAR ENERGY FACTS AT WWW.NIAUK.ORG/NEWS/NUCLEARFACTS-BOOK OR REQUEST A COPY FROM SARA.CRANE@NIAUK.ORG

NT

The Twittersphere BY. RUPERT LEWIS

On a speech-writing course, I was bluntly told not to use “stupid words” and our flamboyant tutor deemed a fair section of the speech I had drafted for the session “rather awful”. I hope this was to add emphasis (everyone’s got shredded) but he did have a point.

My speech focused on what industry should do to improve public perception of nuclear energy. Ironically, the emphasis of the speech was the need to stop using incomprehensible phrases and terms, which only serve to confuse.

While this is nothing new, in the nuclear industry we do use a lot of ‘stupid’ words. Think about Generic Design Assessment, Contract for Difference, and Geological Disposal Facility to name just a few and all of which can be translated into even more confusing and often used acronyms.

As an Industry Link reader, you are no doubt interested or work in the nuclear industry and are probably thinking, well they all make sense to me? But next time you’re with your friends, ask them if they know about any of the above terms and I bet 99% of your audience will respond with a gormless gaze, and swiftly move the conversation on.

Looking back at some of Who to follow?

NIA’s tweets I was pleasantly Want information on nuclear surprised there was little or and other relevant topics? no jargon. I’m not entirely This issue we recommend you sure why this is. Perhaps it’s follow: because there is simply no room for elaborate terms but that would feed the idea for @MoltexEnergy more incoherent acronyms. @UnitrunkRIS Maybe it is a more of a sub@ONS conscious feeling towards the audience. There are more than 300 million active accounts on Twitter; so not to alienate people from clicking on the NIA’s tweets, instinctively we don’t use ‘stupid’ words.

It would appear the diversity of users has forced me and others to use simple terms to tempt a fast-moving audience.

With this in mind, do we need to use these words when giving presentations, interviews or seminars? You may argue in technical talks you just can’t get around using a mixture of nuclear terms.

Fortunately I don’t have to give technical talks and maybe there is a time and a place for them. But I am now determined not to use ‘stupid words’ in my talks as well as start it well, finish it well, pose questions, interact with the audience and use props. Looks like I did learn something!

Twitter Count Followers: 3,410 Tweets: 5,008

UP TO

20

PILOT

@NIAUK

@edfenergycomms: France's President Hollande says @edfehinkleyc project should go ahead http://reut.rs/1OxrkNg via @Reuters #Hinkley #nuclear

SOURCES AND DOSES OF RADIATION 2016 | SUMMER — 23

NEWS IN BRIEF

UK students to work at SMR facility “The prospects for careers in the UK nuclear industry are strong. We want to play a significant role in building the skills pipeline that’s going to be needed to manufacture and deploy our technology to keep the lights on in the UK and elsewhere."

Four undergraduates from the University of Sheffield have been chosen by NuScale Power work and study at its small modular reactor test facility. The fully-funded internship programme, run in partnership with Oregen State University will give the students the opportunity to learn at NuScale’s base in Corvallis, Oregon.

Talking about this incredible opportunity, NuScale’s Managing Director – UK and Europe, Tom Mundy said, “Opening up our world class test facilities to Britain’s future nuclear engineers is an important part of the enduring partnership NuScale is forging with the UK energy sector.

“With our design application being finalised for the regulator this year, these selected students will be contributing to our programme development activities in Corvallis at a crucial moment in our journey to bring this exciting new technology to market.”

GGR unveils UK’s biggest vacuum lifter

Alongside NuScale’s team of more than 600, the four undergraduates will get a rare glimpse into the work being carried out on the Oregon site. Including valuable hands-on experience in the research phase of the project, for instance using the application of sophisticated laser technology to analyse the performance of the technology.

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS CHOSEN ARE: →→ Jagoda Cieslik, second year chemical engineering and

nuclear technology student

→→ Albert Houghton, third year mechanical engineering

student

→→ David Mansley, third year mechanical engineering student →→ Mark Morrow, third year mechanical engineering student

The UK’s leading lifting solutions specialist, GGR Group, has officially unveiled the UK’s largest glass vacuum lifter to the market.

The Hydraulica 6000 boasts an impressive maximum lifting capacity of 6000kg. That gives it an extra 2000kg in lifting power over its nearest rival, the Hydraulica 4000, also available from GGR Group.

Now available for hire or purchase across the UK, the Hydraulica 6000 is suitable for lifting not only glass, but non-porous items such as plastic boards, ceramic plates and sheet metals.

Key features include: →→ Four vacuum circuits with four on-board

maintenance free vacuum pumps

→→ Electric powered 360o rotation →→ 90 o hydraulic tilt →→ Audio-visual low vacuum alert →→ Transport stand as standard →→ Cable remote control as standard, optional

radio remote

→→ Sliding extension arms

From small beginnings, GGR Group now employs over 100 people across three UK sites. The company also has a network of around 30 dealers across Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Its machines have been used to install glass on prestigious construction projects including, among others; The Shard in London, Manchester’s Lowry Centre, the Houses of Parliament, and Heathrow Terminal 5.

24 — SUMMER | 2016

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK’S LARGEST ANNUAL RISK FORUM

TSP welcoming the 2016 apprentice intake

Corporate Risk Associates (CRA) is inviting risk safety professionals, academics and peers in the industry to its highly acclaimed annual conference, this year entitled ‘To Automate or not to Automate’, on 5-6 October in Stratford Upon Avon.

Chaired by CEO of CRA and its founder Jasbir Sidhu, the two-day event will focus on the increasing prevalence of the use of automation in safety critical industries. The company wants to provoke interest around whether the reduction of human input with the introduction of increasingly complex automated systems will be either friend or foe to the industry.

At least 150 attendees are expected from all over the globe, with high profile professionals and leading academics - the event promises to deliver in-depth content that will be both stretching and stimulating for all attendees with the opportunity for open discussion. The speakers will also be available for discussion during the event.

For further information on the forum and how to attend visit crarisk.com or contact Ruth Mantle on +44 (0) 1372 860 847 or by email rmantle@crarisk.com. to R: Shaun Little, Stephen Burrows, Ethan Weir, Leejay Brookes, Liam L Foster, Aiden Procter, Matthew Singleton, Kieran Moore, Rebecca Beattie, Brent Farrington and Owen McCartney.

NNL Launch New Professional Skills Programme National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), in partnership with the University of Liverpool, have launched a new Professional Development qualification for scientists and engineers working in industry who wish to enhance their technical skills and knowledge.

Beginning in September 2016, the ‘Advanced Technical Skills’ programme covers topics including leadership, technology communications, and technical reputation, and is open to scientists and engineers in any sector – not just nuclear.

The programme is modular and specifically designed to meet the needs of busy participants. It consists of lectures, seminars, interactive tasks and discussions supported by online materials, guided reading and a work-based project.

The modular nature gives participants the opportunity to complete the programme within a nine to 24 month period.

NNL and Liverpool University are committed to a strategic partnership in the areas of nuclear science and engineering, with a focus on research and developing postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development activities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

WWW.LIVERPOOL.AC.UK/LONDON/PROGRAMMES/FINANCEACCOUNTING-BUSINESS-AND-COMMUNICATION/ADVANCEDTECHNICAL-SKILLS

TSP was pleased to welcome the 2016 apprentice intake into it’s business. The six machining apprentices and five technical apprentices started at the Workington site on 1 April 2016.

The machining apprentices have spent 12 months at the Gen2 training facility gaining the basic skills to now move into the TSP manufacturing facility where they will get an immense variety of components to work on for blue chip clients in various market sectors including Nuclear, Defence and Oil and Gas. At the end of their training they will receive a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering.

The five technical apprentices have been at Gen2 since September 2015 and will spend their time rotating around the various departments such as Commercial, Procurement, QA, Finance, Planning and Logistics. They will get a comprehensive view as to how the business operates and supports its clients from all angles. Once completed they will achieve a Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Technical Support.

Director of Operations, John Coughlan said “The quality our clients expect in the market sectors we operate in require working to the highest possible standards and the new apprentices will gain valuable knowledge in working to those highest levels.

“TSP is not a steel producer but a bespoke design, manufacturing and testing facility, we have been in Workington and diversifying for many years.

“It is therefore with great pleasure that I can welcome our new apprentices and confirm that it is business as usual for TSP Workington. We look forward to a positive future under new owners."

TSP employs 240 people in Workington and has other sites in York, Manchester, Birmingham and Reading. TSP is a multidisciplinary solutions business that provides a full range of services from consultancy, design and engineering through to manufacture, refurbishment and project management.

The Workington site is one of the largest engineering facilities in the UK. Comprising 19,200 square metres of workshop capacity, 2x5 metre deep manufacturing pits and a lifting capacity of 130 tonnes and services many market sectors including Nuclear, Defence, Oil& Gas, Industrial and Steel.

2016 | SUMMER — 25

Money Talks?

BY. RUPERT LEWIS

The NIA’s latest new build group took place at Bridgwater College in Somerset. The county where the UK’s first new nuclear power station will be built for a generation. Sponsored by Fluor, NuScale Power and SC Innovation, over 110 NIA members attended the meeting.

Do you remember the first time you asked your boss for more money? I certainly do and I was petrified. I marched in with a comprehensive list of all the work I was doing to set out why I deserved to be rewarded for all of my hard work and my obviously outstanding performance…

Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you didn’t have to do it, but instead just got poached from job to job with the promise of a superior pay packet? In essence, this idea was floated at the last NIA new build group during an open discussion on what the UK’s nuclear developers need to do to attract the brightest and best construction workers.

EDF Energy’s vision for Hinkley Point C is to create an environment which offers long-term, highly-skilled, high value careers.

Moreover nuclear construction projects are unique in that they take years rather than months and offer workers the chance to build a home and embed themselves within a community.

However one opinion amongst the audience brushed over the importance of a good working environment, arguing the main driver for ‘blue-collar’ workers is simple, and it is money. He argued the UK is about to embark on a huge nuclear new build programme as well as a number of other large-scale construction projects which all demand the same skills. With ultimately the highest bidder for the best skills winning out.

26 — SUMMER | 2016

If this is to be the case, workers with the required construction skills have the potential to move around the country from project to project with the simple promise of more money. A problem for the developers but an amazing opportunity for workers.

As well as the new build meeting, which was once again well attended and packed full of great presentations, a group of NIA members were lucky enough to visit Hinkley Point C. In the weeks leading up to the conference the newspapers painted a picture of Hinkley as a dormant wasteland. This could not have been more wrong.

Over 600 workers were on site carrying out the remediation works, preparing the site for the ‘real’ work to begin. A batching plant was up and running, testing the concrete which will be used for the project, a new bypass is already alleviating traffic, as is a vast park and ride area being used to transport workers to and from site. You could really feel the positivity and energy across the site.

Back at the conference, to counter the largely cynical (but possibly correct) monetary outlook, the New Build group’s Chairman, Brian McConnell pointed to the story of JFK’s trip to Cape Canaveral. There the President met a man in overalls cleaning the site and asked him “What do you do here?” the man replied “Mr President, I’m helping to put a man on the moon.”

It is obvious EDF Energy are trying to create the same passion amongst their workers and I do hope they succeed, but the avoidance of nervous meetings to discuss money is quite appealing.

All change for the NIA brand You may have noticed a new brand for the NIA which features in the magazine. The new logo, updated to a more modern style, launched at the NIA’s Summer Reception on 23 June.

The logo, will be accompanied by a new more userfriendly website which will put member information at the heart of what we do, placing more emphasis how we help members and the wider industry.

The new website will also streamline content from re:generation, SC@nuclear and the Nuclear Supply Chain Partnership sites, into one main site so users can easily find the information they need.

OUR NEW WEBSITE WILL LAUNCH IN THE COMING WEEKS, BUT HERE YOU CAN SEE A SNEAK PEEK OF THE HOMEPAGE

DO YOU USE OUR LOGO? Many of our members proudly display our logo on websites and printed material to show that they are members of the NIA.

In view of this we will be issuing a new ‘Member of the NIA’ logo to all members to use. This will be sent out in the coming weeks but if for any reason you have not received it please contact dan.powney@niauk.org or call +44 (0)20 7766 6643.

2016 | SUMMER — 27

NEW NIA MEMBERS

A.Taylor and Son (Leeds) Ltd is a long established fabrication and machining subcontractor providing high quality engineering solutions.

With over 150 years’ experience, the company has strategically positioned itself as one of the country’s leading precision fabricators with an accompanying machining facility, unrivalled in the subcontract sector.

To complement the ‘Taylor made’ service, virtually all the products it supplies are painted, assembled and tested within its large Pontifex works.

WELCOME

www.ataylor.co.uk

Moltex Energy is based in the UK and actively collaborates with experts, companies and institutions from around the world. Dozens of nuclear experts worldwide have reviewed its breakthrough Stable Salt Reactors. Moltex has already secured broad-sweeping international patents for Stable Salt Reactors and is moving towards the demonstration stage.

www.moltexenergy.com

Stoller Newport News Nuclear, Inc. (SN3) combines complex nuclear facility management and high-consequence operations expertise with environmental management experience. SN3 delivers Tier 1 Prime contractor capabilities to government and private-sector clients and has performed safe, high-quality services for over 56 years.

SN3 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), which employs 38,000 people within its divisions and subsidiaries.

HII enterprises share resources and personnel and collectively manage more than 100 nuclear assignments. http://sn3.huntingtoningalls.com

RDS is an engineering design contractor that has predominantly operated in the oil and gas sector. It has a broad suite of disciplines and capability and has been responsible for the management and delivery of projects ranging from concept studies to extensive detailed designs for the last 40 years.

Strata Technology is a UK based engineering company which specialises in providing turnkey solutions to both industry and academia for the supply of bespoke laboratory equipment, skid mounted rigs and pilot plants used for research and development, process scaleup or small scale production purposes.

Our only limitation is your imagination!

www.rdsoil.com

www.stratatec.co.uk

28 — SUMMER | 2016

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OPINION

PowerPolitics “... NUCLEAR ENERGY IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE EU’S ENERGY MIX IN 2050...”

Since my last column there has really only been one burning political issue – and as you read this, the public will have made their decision whether to remain or leave the EU. In the run up to the Referendum, Government business almost ceased, and anything that emerged, for example the Queen’s speech, was seen simply in terms of its impact on the EU debate.

Meanwhile hyperbole reached new heights; Armageddon awaits, and depending on which way you voted there could either be two more years of austerity - and more importantly an additional £230 cost to your annual holiday - or the breakdown of the NHS in the face of overwhelming immigration.

Against this background it is a relief that energy played a fairly minor role, even with DECC’s two key Ministers, Amber Rudd and Andrea Leadsom, on opposite sides of the fence.

Thankfully both avoided exaggerated statements, with Rudd simply claiming the UK “would be stronger, safer and better off in the EU”, and Leadsom asserting leaving “would give us freedom to keep bills down, to meet our climate change targets in the cheapest way possible, and to keep the lights on”. Take your pick!

Although most of our members who expressed an interest came out in support of the Remain side, as a trade association with a diverse membership the NIA adopted a neutral position.

We nonetheless tried to understand the implications of withdrawal, such as in leaving the Euratom Treaty. However, probably because of the sensitivities referred to above, it has been extremely

difficult to get a firm policy steer from DECC. One impact however is clear – for the EU itself ‘Brexit’ would shift the balance between pro and anti-nuclear member states.

Over the past few years pro-nuclear member states have worked well together to clear the way for a significant nuclear contribution to achieving the EU’s energy security and carbon reduction objectives, and to help push the Commission into a more nuclear supportive position.

There is still some way to go on this, but there have been some small successes.

One (admittedly somewhat arcane example) was the Commission’s recent publication of a Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC). The Commission is supposed, under the treaties, to draw up PINCs to indicate targets for nuclear production and the corresponding investments to attain them, but has not done so since 2007.

Whilst the latest PINC has some major flaws, not least that it has no suggested proposals to encourage investment in nuclear, its publication is important.

Moreover it does conclude nuclear energy is expected to remain an important component of the EU’s energy mix in 2050 ‘as a low carbon technology and a significant contributor to security of supply and diversification’ and notes the ‘EU must maintain its technological leadership in the nuclear domain’.

If we do remain in the EU these are positive statements we can build on in encouraging the Commission to address the market failures that are preventing investments taking place.

Referendum apart, there has been some parliamentary developments with

the Welsh Affairs Committee continuing its inquiry into the future of nuclear power in Wales. On the face of it, the Committee is pretty supportive of nuclear development in Wales and is keen to understand the socio-economic and other impacts of Horizon’s Wylfa Newydd plant, as well as the potential for SMRs at Trawsfynydd. We can expect its report shortly.

Meanwhile the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) has been crystal ball gazing in its inquiry ‘Energy Revolution: what could change the energy sector’. The NIA submission focussed on two key themes, the potential of SMRs and the options for reusing the UK’s plutonium stockpile.

The ECCC also quizzed Vincent de Rivaz and Andrea Leadsom following EDF’s announcement that Hinkley Point C’s Final Investment Decision would come following a consultation with its workers. This was a much staider affair than the earlier session, but was effective in putting across the strong message that EDF is fully committed to the project, financing is now in place, and the project retains the full backing of the French and UK Governments.

While this is clearly very difficult for the supply chain, we encourage them to hold their nerve a little longer.

PETER HASLAM Head of Policy, NIA peter.haslam@niauk.org

2016 | SUMMER — 29

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