This week is UK Robotics Week, so Melanie Brownridge, NDA’s Head of Technology, explains how robotics can benefit the decommissioning of nuclear sites in the UK.
Rick Short, NDA’s Research Manager, reports from the second DISTINCTIVE conference attended by PhD students and around 70 representatives from industry, regulators and international organisations. He outlines the importance of students understanding the context for their work to solve decommissioning challenges and how solutions can be applied on the ground.
Yvonne Morris, NDA Research Manager, joined innovators and end users of new technologies at a recent event that showcased the results of leveraged NDA investment in nuclear research and development over the last 4 years. Decommissioning projects across the NDA’s estate are now benefitting from these innovative technologies. She encourages innovators and those tackling the decommissioning challenges to share their knowledge further.
Melanie Brownridge, NDA Head of Technology, describes her recent experience of seeing the Fukushima Dai-ichi site in Japan that is abuzz with activity and a ‘can do’ attitude. Her visit helped her appreciate the scale of the technology challenges.
Darrell Morris, NDA's Technical Assurance Manager, explains why innovation is so important for nuclear decommissioning. He encourages UK businesses to consider how their techniques and technology might address some of the challenges faced in our mission to decommission the UK's nuclear legacy.
Rick Short, Research Manager, reports on a recent seminar where NDA-funded PhD students presented their work to their academic peers, technical leads from the NDA’s estate and industry representatives. He outlines the value of their research for the NDA and how the event helped them see where they could make a difference.
Melanie Brownridge, Head of Technology, announces a £500,000 contribution from the NDA for innovative technology projects. This boosts Innovate UK’s recently announced Energy Game Changer funding to a total of £2 million. Melanie encourages innovative SMEs from outside the nuclear sector to apply for this funding and test how feasible their novel and radical ideas might be.
Adrian Simper, Strategy and Technology Director, thanks stakeholders for considering the issues in the NDA's draft revised strategy. He outlines plans for further engagement during the consultation period, and emphasises that he is keen to hear from people and organisations who are interested in how we decommission our 17 UK sites.
NDA's Head of Technology, Melanie Brownridge, explains how the NDA ensures the right level of research and development helps progress the decommissioning mission. Melanie seeks feedback on this approach via the consultation on NDA’s draft revised strategy.