Nuclear power

Nuclear power supplies approximately 10.6% of total world electricity

Nuclear power is generated by a controlled chain reaction inside a nuclear reactor. In a process called nuclear fission, neutrons collide with uranium or plutonium atoms, causing the atoms to split and release additional neutrons and energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to convert water into steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. Nuclear power has existed since the 1950s, with newer and safer reactor designs being constructed today.

Links to latest media coverage and scientific research can be found in the section below.

What's new?

Hitachi halts work on Anglesey nuclear project

17-01-2019
Hitachi has pulled out of plans to build a nuclear plant in Wales despite the a comprehensive package offered by the Government. In a major blow to the UK’s new nuclear ambitions the Japanese conglomerate will abandon the £16n Wylfa Newydd plan which would have supplied about 6...

A new role for coal - moving power generation skills to the nuclear sector: Energy transition

1-01-2019
Beccy Pleasant looks at the potential for meeting nuclear staffing requirements through re-training and upskilling coal plant employees.

Thorp nuclear reprocessing comes to an end

17-12-2018
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s controversial Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (Thorp) plant – one of only two commercial nuclear fuel reprocessing plants in the world – has completed its 24-year mission to reprocess spent nuclear fuel from around the world, says operator Sellafield Ltd.Open...

Toshiba exits Moorside nuclear project

13-11-2018
Britain’s plan to build a series of new nuclear power plants to offset the planned closure of ageing existing plants were dealt a serious blow last month as developer Toshiba announced that it is to wind up its UK nuclear arm NuGeneration and quit the project to build a 3.3 GW plant at Moorside, Cum...

Swiss nuclear phase-out could result in energy security concerns – IEA

18-10-2018
The biggest energy challenge for Switzerland in the coming years will be to fill the gap created by the phase-out of its nuclear power stations, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).Doing so while maintaining low carbon generation and high standards of security and supply means a ...

Events and training

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Technical guidance publications

IP PM EO: Determination of Olefin content - High resolution Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method

2013
ScopeThis method covers the determination olefin content of hydrocarbon oils. These include crude oils, heavy fuel oils, middle distillates: diesels with and without biodiesel (including any contribution from olefins in biodiesel), gasoline: E5 and E2 gasoline and other hydrocarbon mixtures typicall...

IP 499: Determination of aromatic carbon content of lubricant mineral base oils and middle distillate petroleum fractions - Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy method

2011
Scope This standard specifies procedures for determining the aromatic carbon content of mineral base oils within the range of 0,6 % mole to 13,8 % mole, and of middle distillates within the range of 1,8 % mole to 41,5 % mole. The standard does not determine the concentration of aromatic carbon in th...

Nuclear human factors conference papers, held on 16 September 2010

2010
Human factors encompasses what people are being asked to do, who is doing it, and where they are working, all of which is influenced by a wider organisational culture and external influences.There is increasing emphasis on the importance of managing human factors in the workplace to achieve improved...

IP 392: Determination of aromatic hydrogen and carbon content - High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method

1990
ScopeThis method covers the determination of aromatic hydrogen and aromatic carbon contents of hydrocarbon oils. These include kerosines, gas oils, mineral lube oils, coal liquids and other distillates which are completely soluble in chloroform and/or carbon tetrachloride. The detection limit is typ...

Disposal of nuclear waste at sea

1986
This report was prepared to review current developments and to identify industrial opportunities in the UK in the field of disposal of nuclear waste at sea. The study was carried out by the University of Manchester and was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Council Marine Technology Dire...