In support of broader UK Government objectives toward electrification and net-zero carbon, nuclear is seen as a critical part of the government's plans for future clean electricity generation. The next generation of nuclear reactors has regulatory requirements to deliver primary reactor machinery and components built from low and zero cobalt metal alloys.

The UK supply chain lacks experience in these materials. This project includes the design and supply of electric pumping machinery, forming part of the primary nuclear safety systems of upcoming Small Modular Reactors, with specific consideration for UK capability in low and zero cobalt metals.

This project, a collaboration between Hayward Tyler and the University of Sheffield's Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), will support initial conceptual design through to a theoretically proven drive system design specifically to target Small Modular Reactor Cooling Pumps. Aspects of the design require comprehensive analysis and simulation to ensure the design is robust enough for the application and life span requirements. The experience of Hayward Tyler and the manufacturing innovation expertise at Nuclear AMRC will be used to deliver a design optimised for manufacture while maintaining the quality expected of the nuclear sector.

The supply chain for this product is not established in the UK due to its infancy and strong competition from outside of the UK market. This project aims to leverage Nuclear AMRC's existing supply chain relationships and detailed supplier database to better understand current UK capabilities. The knowledge and experience acquired during this project will provide a framework to engage with UK suppliers on specific product designs facing the same issue, with the overall goal of establishing a motivated UK-based supply chain that is suited for future nuclear applications.

By delivering this project Hayward Tyler and Nuclear AMRC can demonstrate a process and route to product development that meets quality and regulatory expectations of new nuclear plants. This process can be reapplied to achieve a greater proportion of UK content in future reactors and will capitalise on the expected growth in the UK and international nuclear markets.

The forecast electrification in the UK to achieve the net-zero carbon emission targets will see huge investment in many different low-carbon generating technologies, including the nuclear sector. A thriving UK nuclear supply chain is the best way to deliver the planned nuclear new build capacity and to ensure the investment translates to value for the UK from manufactured content and jobs.