Decarbonising the Power Industry

DECARBONISING THE POWER INDUSTRY We’re working to decarbonise the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

Courtesy TonyV3112@Shutterstock.com

Fighting climate change is a battle we’re waging on many fronts – from energy generation, storage and use to design and operation of the built environment. Decarbonising heavy industry, especially the power sector – which produces about a quarter of human-generated greenhouse gases – is one focus of our work on decarbonisation and non-carbon energy technologies.

WASTE MANAGEMENT, TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE Models for the Future As utilities replace conventional power plants with renewables or upgrade them to clean energy options, we help by performing advanced modelling to determine the best and safest ways to demolish outdated facilities.

Sometimes deconstruction is necessary for safety; at other times a designed implosion is optimal. We’re modelling the demolition of two coal-fired units in Asheville, North Carolina, to make way for solar power generation and energy storage facilities.

“Long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel and waste is an ongoing global challenge.

We’re developing new technologies for better waste management.”

Long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel and waste is an ongoing global challenge.

We’re developing new technologies for better waste management. For one client in the U.K., we’re applying skills in thermal, chemical and structural mechanics – honed by serving military clients – to develop computational models to verify waste container safety (below).

The models will allow the client to safely certify multiple design options without having to test every design iteration, saving time and expense. Ultimately, our assessment will help optimise container design, manufacturing and arrangement.

Renderings based on results from predictive modelling we conducted to assess the safety and integrity of nuclear waste containers subjected to extreme loading. In this example, which was validated experimentally, our model predicted that the housing would not be breached, despite damage to the interior container.

BEFORE

AFTER

Courtesy CFS

Our services for architect HDR include structural engineering and mass-concrete thermal modelling.

We’re also providing contractor support services for Bond, the general contractor.

We’re modelling spent-fuel storage options for micromodular nuclear reactors.

These reactors – typically rated at 10 to 500 megawatts – are much smaller than conventional reactors and often replace coal- or diesel-fired plants that are far from any electricity grid. Thanks to their modular construction, they can be built quickly and for about a quarter of the cost of conventional reactors. Their different fuel design is one factor that makes them safer to operate, but their spent fuel still requires a safe storage option.

We’re also working with developers of fusion reactors in the U.S. and U.K., building computer simulations to assess the production rate of tritium, which fuels the fusion reaction.

These models are advancing the safety and efficiency of real-time tritium production, and will help optimise the design of fusion reactors (see sidebar, right).

And we’re also providing a wide range of engineering services for fusion-power pioneer Commonwealth Fusion Systems (above).

The Next STEP in Power Generation In autumn of 2021, Lancashire-based engineering giant Assystem was awarded two contracts by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to support the development of STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), the UK’s prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion energy.

Assystem and partner Thornton Tomasetti will work with STEP’s research team to develop software capable of undertaking simulations to help define breeder-blanket designs that can produce enough tritium to advance the project to the next phase of simulation and testing, moving us closer to achieving commercially viable fusion energy.

Learn more at Learn more at step.ukaea.uk and assystem.com.

Engineering a Safer, More Sustainable World We provide specialised technical consulting services to manage the risks associated with the entire nuclear-fuel life cycle. We have supported the national and international civil and government sectors since the mid-1950s, so we know the nuclear industry’s regulatory, safety, quality and security drivers inside and out.

We’re focused on the future of energy development. When we deliver answers to your technical problems, we’re also helping to power the future and build a better tomorrow.

Here’s how: • • • • • •

New Nuclear Development Plant Operations Support Plant Life Improvements & Extension Waste Management, Transport & Storage Decommissioning & Demolition Site Security, Resilience & Assurance

Offices Worldwide Thornton Tomasetti Pty Ltd. The Brew House Wilderspool Park Greenall’s Avenue, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6HL, United Kingdom

Tim Ashworth, CEng, FICE, MNucl TAshworth@ThorntonTomasetti.com or +44.01925.694635

w w w.T horntonTomasetti. com

Courtesy A.P.S. (UK) / Alamy Stock Photo

Pawel Woelke, PhD., P.E. PWoelke@ThorntonTomasetti.com or +44.07784.213120