Author: Laura St Juste Kidd

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Dismantling the Dragon at Winfrith

Located in Dorset and constructed in the 1950’s as a centre of excellence for nuclear reactor research. Dragon was a 20-megawatt power output graphite moderated, helium cooled prototype reactor.

Seven of the nine experimental reactors have been dismantled, and the project is currently at the first of eleven phases to fully dismantle the core.

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) are driving innovation forward with this project and Phoebe Lynch, NRS strategic innovation programme manager, said: “All the learning from the initial operational phase of using laser cutting for the Dragon reactor core provided valuable insights into the feasibility, reliability and safety of this technique.”

Over the next few years, the core will be packed into 6m3 concrete intermediate level waste storage boxes, and these will be taken to the Harwell Science & Innovation Park in Oxfordshire.

The long-term aim is that this highly radioactive waste will be permanently stored in the geological disposal facility (GDF) once it is available.

Picture: gov.uk

 

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Virtual Power Plants & Sustainable Energy Systems

Virtual Power Plants (VPP’s) are digital platforms that aggregate multiple distributed resources including solar panels, battery storage, commercial/industrial/residential demands and funnel them into a single, coordinated network that operates like a traditional power plant.

There are many benefits to VPP’s and we’ve listed some below.

Cost-Effectiveness: More economical than traditional peaker plants as they can provide energy at a lower cost during peak times.

Grid Stability: They help balance supply and demand which reduces outages and also maintains voltage levels on the grid.

Consumer Incentives: Businesses and households who participate in VPP programmes often get financial benefits such as bill credits or direct payments for utilising their energy resources.

Environmental Impact: VPP’s utilise renewable energy resources and in turn they contribute towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.

Picture: solarreviews.com

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Great British Energy 5-year Strategic Plan

A revitalising in oil & gas regions will help to revolutionise the energy sector while investing billions to shift to green energy.

A sustainable future and supporting over 10,000 jobs which will enable a transition away from fossil fuels and more focus on communities who have relied on oil & gas historically.

There are concerns when it comes to the pace of job creation. Roughly 1000 jobs per month are being lost in the oil & gas sector therefore, there’s a large disparity with GBE’s numbers and the realities people are facing.

Not all the workforce plans have been finalised; however, Aberdeen remains a focus and was key on the 2024 election campaign.

Aberdeen is emphasised as the corporate backbone with most employees being based here. There is a strong focus on the energy sector in this area hence it needing to be a driving factor in decision making.

Community ownership in projects, reinvesting profits and creating more jobs while empowering our energy future are vital for success.

Public funds to be invested with the aim to attract private finance over the long term. Using public land for wind and solar projects in order to produce profit for the community.

The energy transition needs to be strategic, sustainable, economic and environmental; the aim is a balanced energy transition.

For more visit; https://www.gbe.gov.uk/

Picture: Great British Energy

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Thales UK Event: Drones & Cyber Security

Yesterday (04/12/25) we were at the Thales UK offices in Green Park, Reading. The event was arranged as part of the Digital Special Interest Group (DIGSIG) by the Nuclear Institute (NI).

Thales has 33,000 employees in all areas of the globe and 7,800 of those are based in the UK at numerous locations. 4,500 of the total UK number are highly skilled engineers working on a number of different defence related projects. A further 7,000 jobs are supported through the UK supply chain.

Speakers on the day included a graduate software developer looking at drone technology, Operational Technology (OT) Security professional, Security by Design & Supply Chain Lead, Head of Sales & Communications, CNI Account Lead, and a Cyber Security apprentice.

The topics on the day included C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) and their different uses in places such as prisons and RAF bases. The use of OT systems in different industries including nuclear and defence. The investment and risk in cyber security and Secure by Design (SbD); people and culture have a lot to do with the adoption, running and impact of these systems. Retention and hiring and important aspects as company culture has to be right.

All in all, an interesting morning and lunchtime of conversations with people from EDF, Createc, and the NI – we’ll be looking out for more events of this kind in the future.

Picture: Thales UK

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DOE Gives $1 billion loan to Three Mile Island

Constellation Energy is financing Crane Clean Energy Center, formerly known as Three Mile Island (TMI-1), via the Department of Energy (DOE).

It’s a big commitment from the DOE towards restarting the site as part of a 20-year power purchase agreement to power Microsoft’s data centres.

There is still a wait for state permitting, recommissioning work, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval.

DOGE downsizing has threatened staff jobs at the Loan Programme Office (LPO) and despite these challenges, the Trump administration is leveraging the LPO to move along his May executive orders.

Due to other positive plant restarts such as Palisades led by Holtec and Duane Arnold led by NextEra Energy, we are remaining optimistic that Crane will also be able to push forward with work.

Source:https://www.ans.org/news/2025-11-20/article-7570/crane-restart-boosted-by-1b-lpo-loan/

Picture: Constellation

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Microsoft is First tech Firm to Join WNA

Microsoft joins the World Nuclear Association (WNA), and this seems like a huge milestone for the nuclear sector. When it comes to carbon-free energy technology utilisation, this is exciting!

When you think of one of the world’s leading, most highly thought of and expert tech companies, you combine that with the nuclear sectors’ track-record of delivery, it’s a brilliant strategic moment.

To meet the demands and needs of the digital economy there really is only one energy source that will keep pace, nuclear. We have ambitious climate goals coupled with an increasing demand where technology usage is concerned, and not enough power for renewable alone to handle.

Nuclear energy will be the main, consistent and reliable source for us to rely on, and we will wait to see who else follows Microsoft’s lead.

Picture: World Nuclear Association

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U.S. Control Over Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain

As it stands, U.S. nuclear generators import almost all of their uranium from other countries. Locations include Canada, Australia, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

With uranium usage above 32 million pounds, there is a significant opportunity for the U.S. to take a look at their domestic supply chain.

States such as Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming and New Mexico already have uranium mined areas. Parts of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana have large areas that are not currently being mined, hence the opportunity at hand.

By July 4th, 2026, President Trump wanted to have 3 research & development sites for advanced nuclear reactors identified outside of national laboratories. The president is focused on his ambitions to reform nuclear reactor testing and to deploy nuclear reactor technologies for national security.

The Department of Energy (DOE) also has the high-assay low-enriched uranium allocation program where there have been 5 companies selected for the first-round criteria. The second round supports the testing of advanced reactor designs and the establishment of domestic fuel lines.

More info at the following links; https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-first-pilot-project-advanced-nuclear-fuel-lines; https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=64444; https://www.neimagazine.com/analysis/fuelling-the-future/

Picture: Georgia Power

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Philippines Uses Nuclear Tech to Fight Plastic Pollution

During the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) International High-Level Forum, Filipino President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., talked about his commitment to addressing plastic issues through nuclear technology.

“It affects biodiversity, public health, supply chains, and the lives of our coastal and urban communities. Addressing it requires going beyond regulation and advocacy. It requires technology that is credible, scalable, grounded in rigorous science,” he said.

The work is part of a global initiative by the IAEA called the Nutec Plastics Initiative, and the Philippines are transforming low-value plastic into reliable, commercially viable materials under the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes Project (PREx).

Full story; https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/11/26/news/national/philippines-leverages-nuclear-technology-in-fight-against-plastic-pollution/2231044

Picture: Philippines Presidential Communications Office

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Milton Park Innovation Community

It had been a long time since we’d been down to Milton Park and what a fantastic community it has grown to be.

Based in South Oxfordshire, Milton Park is a hub of innovation with impressive buildings, labs, cafes, restaurants and the coming together of many industries.

Tokamak Energy, Nuvia, TE Magnetics, AECOM, Baker Hughes, ESR Technology, Endeavor Engineering, and Bouygues UK are just a few names in energy, engineering and construction located at the park.

With the Oxford-Cambridge corridor being developed, Milton Park is a key hub within this infrastructure due to its geographical location and its strong & varied community. Emerging technologies, talent, strong research capabilities, connectivity, R&D, and support from institutional investments are just a few reasons why Oxfordshire is a powerhouse for business.

If you are a business based on the park who would benefit from utilising experienced recruitment & hiring strategies and solutions, reach out to us today to find out more about our services.

Picture: miltonpark.co.uk

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Dounreay Clears Away Nuclear Waste

Dounreay was established in 1950’s and in 1954 it was chosen as the site for a new type of reactor, the fast breeder reactors.

Until 1994 it was the place for fast reactor research and development where it had a vital role in advancing nuclear technology. This was led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

At the end of the 1980’s, when the UK pulled out of continuing its use of fast reactors, it was shut down and so began its journey as a decommissioning site. The Nuclear Decommissioning Group (NDA) took over the site in 2005.

To counteract the lack of business from fast reactors, the site looked to the oil and gas sector. Handling radioactive materials from the gas pipework that got built up due to radioactive material beneath the seabed.

Earlier this week it was announced that the last 29 containers of low-level waste have been removed from the decommissioning site. The site is undergoing construction, demolition and cleanup work to ensure the site and its parts are safe for future generations.

Nuclear Restorations Services (NRS), Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) and contractor Augean have worked together to complete the safe transfer of the containers.

Picture: gov.uk

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