The UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) has won a contract to establish a national facility that supports nuclear robotics research and development in the UK.
The aim of the National Nuclear User Facility for Hot Robotics (NNUF-HR) is to support the UK ambitions for cheaper, faster decommissioning, nuclear new-build, advanced modular fission reactors and future fusion power plants.
Due to open in 2023, the facility will be based across four UK locations:
– Remote Applications for Challenging Environments (RACE) at UKAEA, Culham, Oxfordshire
– The University of Bristol’s Fenswood facility
– The National Nuclear Laboratory’s Workington Laboratory
– The University of Manchester’s Dalton Cumbria facility
As well as being able to build on existing infrastructure and relationships, the chosen locations can access key nuclear sites and related organisations.
The NNUF-HR will also provide opportunities for academia and industry to utilise cutting-edge equipment and expertise:
– Universities and industrial partners will be able to book both space and equipment in the facility for supported experiments, demonstrations and technology certification;
–Users will be able to hire-out ‘containerised’ robotic solutions to facilitate development, integration and testing of new capabilities, control algorithms and sensory add-on
Nick Sykes, head of decommissioning at RACE, said: “NNUF-HR gives users the tools they need to demonstrate what is possible and increase the routine use of robotics in nuclear and other highly hazardous environments.”
Rob Buckingham, director of RACE, added: “This announcement illustrates the growing demand for robotics. The UK is a world-leader in the field and this new facility will enable this position to be maintained.
Midas Construction has commenced work on the extension of the Oxfordshire research facility. When complete, the project will provide open plan office spaces, meeting rooms, ‘quiet pods’ and multi-purpose areas.
“The intention is to create over 100 highly skilled jobs, improve collaboration and build a globally significant robotics cluster in Oxfordshire,” said Buckingham. “Robotics is a key part of the government’s industrial strategy and RACE will play a leading role in delivering this vision, for fusion, for the nuclear sector as a whole and for the wider emerging robotics community.”
Derek Quinn, Executive Director at Midas Construction, added: “We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with UKAEA to deliver this scheme, which will have a far-reaching impact on the development of robotic technology.
“When complete, the extension will operate alongside the existing RACE building to offer inspiring work and interactive spaces as well as supporting the successful growth of RACE’s robotics operations.
