Framatone Ltd

FRAMATOME LTD ENERGY & UTILITIES

LEADERS IN E N E R GY A N D I N N O VAT I O N

Renowned for its state-of-the-art solutions in the nuclear power industry, Framatome Ltd supports the UK in achieving its net zero targets. CEO, Ian Henderson, shines a light on the evolving landscape of electricity sources Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Connell Privett

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n the 1940s, UK scientists were at the forefront of nuclear energy development, and the country saw the world’s first commercial-scale nuclear power reactor by the end of 1956.

Fast forward to the 1990s, Sizewell B opened, and nuclear energy contributed to approximately 25 percent of the country’s total annual electricity production.

Today, the UK government has ambitious plans to increase the

use of nuclear power for electricity production. At Hinkley Point Power Station in Bridgewater, Somerset, two new nuclear reactors are being built, the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK, providing zero-carbon electricity for around six million homes.

In Suffolk, meanwhile, the government recently announced a new scheme which will unlock billions of pounds to support the building of the Sizewell C nuclear power station.

Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) also offer opportunities for the UK’s nuclear sector, which have potential breakthroughs for nuclear power as they can be built into modular pieces in factories and assembled rapidly on-site, thus creating economies of scale.

The technologies developed and mastered by Framatome Ltd (Framatome) adapt perfectly to lightwater SMRs. They also enable the development of a sovereign supply EME Outlook Issue 61 | 3

“ O U R G O A L I S T O E S TA B L I S H A R E L I A B L E F O U N D AT I O N T H AT W I L L S U S TA I N A N D A D VA N C E T H E F U T U R E O F T H E N U C L E A R INDUSTRY IN THE UK” – I A N H E N D E R S O N , C E O , F R A M AT O M E LT D

source for VVER reactors and are preferable in the domain of advanced modular reactors (AMRs) with a variety of different concepts and fuel designs.

This ongoing development bodes well for Framatome, who specialises in designing, constructing, and providing equipment, services, and fuel for nuclear power plants.

“The nuclear industry is an extremely exciting space to work in and undergoing a huge expansion that looks set to continue in the coming years,” introduces Ian 4 | EME Outlook Issue 61

Henderson, CEO of Framatome.

The boom in business is evidenced by the organisation’s recruitment drive to boost its capacity by adding 10,000 engineers, a significant investment that underscores Framatome’s commitment to the nuclear power sector and confidence in its growth potential.

“Energy security is vital to the UK and Europe, and the goal is to reduce household costs. The UK’s civil nuclear roadmap paves the way to achieve net zero objectives by 2050, and Framatome is a huge part

of this, perfectly aligning with the government’s vision of a dynamic and growing sector,” Henderson sets out.

Framatome’s activities focus on several main areas, including nuclear power plant design, nuclear steam supply systems (NSSS), fuel and components design and manufacturing, chemical and process engineering, instrumentation and control (I&C) systems integration, nuclear reactor operation and maintenance, and cybersecurity.

Established in France over 65 years ago as Framatome SAS, the UK entity has had a presence for over 20 years and is a subsidiary of the EDF Group.

After recently acquiring Efinor and BHR Group in the UK, the organisation also provides solutions to the defence, space, and healthcare sectors.

STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTIONS The nuclear industry requires

FRAMATOME LTD ENERGY & UTILITIES

demanding, multidisciplinary, and highly technical expertise, which is encompassed by Framatome.

Its solutions and state-of-theart technologies range from the design and supply of nuclear equipment, powering operations, and maintenance and engineering services to the design, development, and fabrication of high-performance advanced fuels for all types of light water reactors belonging to electricity utilities.

For the design and service engineering speciality, Framatome offers customers a wide range of bespoke specialisations.

“Our engineers are specialised in the design of NSSS and their principal items of equipment, mobilising expertise in a variety of areas such as metallurgy, chemistry, mechanics, welding, neutronics, fluid mechanics, and thermal hydraulics, as well as nuclear safety, reliability, and scientific calculation,” Henderson explains.

Furthermore, the organisation manufactures heavy and mobile components for nuclear reactors, also supplying nuclear propulsion equipment for the French defence sector.

Framatome has a highly skilled manufacturing base and supplies customers with high-quality, cutting-edge technologies which are deployed in forging, welding, machining, heat treatment, inspection, and testing.

Moreover, to operate a nuclear power plant, the I&C system provides precise, reliable, and safe control. The company designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains advanced nuclear I&C solutions to ensure the safety, availability, and reliability of each plant.

“Our Centre of Excellence in Cranfield, Bedfordshire is where we design complex structures and test rigs, carry out analysis of engineering problems using finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid

AVONMOUTH CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE Operating since 2021, Framatome’s Centre of Excellence in Avonmouth, Bristol specialises in the cutting, forming, and welding of stainless steel for many different applications, providing high-quality components for the nuclear industry, including HPC’s two in-containment refuelling water storage tank (IRWST) pools.

Specialised components manufactured by Framatome include stainless steel pools, tanks, and liners for European pressurised reactors (EPRs). Furthermore, the facility can implement multiple manufacturing and assembly methods, including complete modular solutions.

With welding at the core of these processes, the organisation has developed a skilled workforce competent in various procedures, including tungsten inert gas (TIG), manual and semi-automatic metal active gas (MAG), and stud welding with a ceramic ferrule.

The facility benefits from a new 400t, four metre (m)hydraulic synchronised press brake predominantly assigned to the folding of critical components used in the manufacturing assembly and tailor-made for the company’s needs.

Comprising 5,000 square metres (sqm) of workspace, the facility includes five overhead gantry cranes, giving a tandem lifting capacity of 20t.

Additionally, Framatome provides high-quality training in welding to international standards. The centre offers customers high-quality, efficient, safe manufacturing capabilities and meets all bespoke and state-of-the-art client requirements.

Framatome will hold a client-wide technology day towards the end of the year and showcase its Avonmouth Centre of Excellence, where various workshops will take place.

dynamics (CFD) software, and utilise our experience and our developed capability,” Henderson affirms.

A POWER PLANT PRESENCE Framatome has a sizable footprint in the UK, with more than 400 employees across various locations.

On a global scale, the organisation acts as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for 92 nuclear power plants, providing specialised knowledge to over 350 nuclear plants worldwide and managing a workforce of over 19,000 experts.

“We are supplying manufacturing solutions, technology, services, and nuclear fuel to Sizewell B and Hinkley Point C (HPC) both directly

and through our work within EPR Engineering Ltd, and we will be replicating this for Sizewell C,” informs Henderson.

In its capacity as the reactor’s OEM, Framatome has invested in and created local facilities and on-site support for the construction of HPC. A dedicated global delivery team has trained and developed employees and has vast experience on international nuclear projects, such as Flamanville 3 in France, Okiluto 3 in Finland, and Taishan in China.

“HPC’s heaviest equipment, the Framatome steam generators, are being transported from our facility in France, and the first 520 tonne (t) generator has safely arrived at the EME Outlook Issue 61 | 5

FRAMATOME LTD ENERGY & UTILITIES

“ E N E R G Y S E C U R I T Y I S V I TA L T O T H E U K A N D E U R O P E , A N D T H E G OA L I S TO R E D U C E HOUSEHOLD COSTS. THE UK’S CIVIL N U C L E A R R O A D M A P P AV E S T H E WAY T O AC H I E V E N E T Z E R O O B J E C T I V E S BY 2 0 5 0, A N D F R A M AT O M E I S A H U G E P A R T O F T H I S ” – I A N H E N D E R S O N , C E O , F R A M AT O M E LT D

construction site,” Henderson reports.

“These 25m generators, which will convert nuclear reactor heat into steam to power the world’s largest turbines, travelled by river, sea, and road from our plant in Saint-Marcel.”

Contracts are already in place for post-nuclear operations, and the company is actively recruiting engineers to support the commissioning of the project and future nuclear operations.

“We are closely collaborating with Sizewell C Ltd to maximise replication 6 | EME Outlook Issue 61

benefits for the Sizewell C plant based on our HPC experience and proven design. Framatome will deliver the two nuclear heat production systems, replicating the design from HPC and overseeing their supply to commissioning,” he confirms.

Framatome will also provide the plant with safety instrumentation and control systems with a long-term fuel supply agreement in place, under which it will fabricate the fuel needed to power the two reactors.

Indeed, Sizewell C will

accommodate two EPRs, enabling it to produce 3.2 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity, powering approximately six million homes for 60 years.

GENERATING THE FUTURE Framatome has expanded rapidly in recent years in line with the UK energy sector and associated industries.

As one of the first major economies to enact a new zero emissions law, the organisation is helping the UK achieve its 2050 targets by constructing

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Complete Welding and Fabrication Solutions

Crowley Way, Avonmouth Bristol, BS11 9ED Telephone: 01179 825 018 Email: avonmouth@wellyweld.co.uk

We support Framatome in their Nuclear Building programme with approved welding consumables and equipment

Bristol Fabrications collaborates closely with Framatome UK and various nuclear contractors to deliver a diverse range of framework and JIG fabrications. Our expertise in the nuclear industry allows us to offer a responsive, dependable, and comprehensive service.

Recently, we have been honoured with the ‘Fastest Growing UK Manufacturing Business’ Award and have obtained multiple accreditations, including ISO 9001, ISO 3834, and BS-1090 Execution 3.

07432 250862 louis@bristolfabrications.com

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FRAMATOME LTD ENERGY & UTILITIES

CRANFIELD CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE The company’s Centre of Excellence in Cranfield, Bedfordshire has multiple capabilities, including: Engineering – Designing complex structures and test rigs, conducting analysis of engineering problems using finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, and solving issues with pipe supports and heat loss through pipework and insulation.

Validation and verification Designing, building, and operating test rigs to validate the performance of components, which are used in various industries. Permanent test rigs can pressure fatigue components and verify the performance of valves with flow, noise, and vibration using either air or water.

Process – Framatome is a leading expert in process mixing and multiphase flow, supporting various industries with developing, troubleshooting, and optimising customer processes.

Using an extensive fluid database, its online Slot 2.0 tool helps understand complex pipeline liquid flow.

Direct injection of abrasive jet (DIAJET) for cutting, cleaning, and dismantling – This coldcutting technique is powerful and accurate. DIAJET excels in time and safety-critical environments where customers often operate under stressful conditions that require controlled, precise, and reliable cutting or cleaning.

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new EPRs and supporting the maintenance and long-term operations of existing plants.

“As we offer advanced solutions to our customers in the UK nuclear sector, chemical, process, and defence industries, the growth in engineering and technology requires a highly skilled and diverse workforce.

“For these reasons, we provide comprehensive technical training and partner with leading universities

to nurture local talent through collaborative nuclear science, technology, and engineering programmes,” prides Henderson.

Substantial investment in Framatome has enabled the organisation to provide engineering services across various sectors.

It also has extensive expertise in the design and manufacture of nuclear fuel and fuel assemblies, zirconium production, fuel element

FRAMATOME LTD ENERGY & UTILITIES

manufacturing, and related fuel services.

“We are considering expanding our fuel fabrication operations in the UK to accommodate the new generation of nuclear reactors. The facility could be a scalable UK fuel fabrication facility to support all types of nuclear technology,” he divulges.

“Nuclear energy is a clean source of electricity, which produces nearly zero carbon dioxide or other

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and avoids the usual pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels.

It therefore complements renewable energy sources and contributes to the stability of electricity grids.”

To prepare its people as the world transitions to a clean energy future, Framatome is committed to local skills.

The company’s engineers are developing various solutions and

technologies to support the evolution of nuclear energy systems.

Due to the increasing demand for more flexible power generation, Framatome is also promoting the global advancement of hybrid energy systems through SMRs, which offer a low-carbon alternative to ageing fossil-fuelled power plants.

In 2021 and 2022, meanwhile, Framatome completed several acquisitions that led to its proliferation. This strategic move has positioned the organisation to address the challenges and opportunities of guiding the UK towards a sustainable and brighter tomorrow in the energy sector.

“Our goal is to establish a reliable foundation that will sustain and advance the future of the nuclear industry in the UK,” Henderson concludes.

Tel:+44 (0) 7983 854801

www.framatome.com

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FRAMATOME LTD Tel: +44 (0) 7983 854801 www.framatome.com

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