Front cover material: Clean energy economics and flash sintering innovation

AFCP makes front-cover headlines in the September issue of Nuclear Engineering International magazine. AFCP members from Lucideon, Bangor University and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) contributed two in-depth articles about the innovative work they are spearheading through the programme. Learn more about their articles and access the magazine below.

Enhancing economics with ATF

Whether referred to as accident tolerant fuels or advanced technology fuels, ATF technology is on the rise to curb carbon emissions and achieve safe, clean energy. But how economically viable is ATF technology?

In the new September issue of Nuclear Engineering International, researchers from the AFCP explore the economics of ATF deployment. Featured on the magazine’s front cover, this work highlights the growing interest in understanding the full feasibility of nuclear energy within the UK’s low carbon landscape. Written by NNL’s Dave Goddard and Bangor University’s Simon Middleburgh and Mustafa Bolukbasi, this story is a great example of the innovative, collaborative analysis happening through AFCP.

Within AFCP’s ATF theme – one of the programme’s 11 areas comprising the whole fuel cycle – the authors delve into the economic profile of ATF. After comparing the relative costs of ATF to different renewable and fossil fuel sources, the authors suggest ways to further drive down ATF costs long-term. The first comprehensive analysis of its kind, this research will help enable the UK to achieve affordable, sustainable solutions toward Net Zero.

Check out their analysis and recommendations on pages 24-27 of Nuclear Engineering International.

One flash and it’s done

Following AFCP’s headline story, don’t miss a second article about the joint manufacture innovation led by AFCP partner Lucideon. Having recently joined AFCP’s global network of over 100 organisations, Lucideon lends their unique flash sintering expertise to the programme.

Written by Lucideon’s David Pearmain and Carolyn Grimley, the article delves into the company’s unique expertise which is being applied to the nuclear sector for the first time as part of AFCP. In this piece, Lucideon explains their novel flash sintering technology, which aims to improve the production of advanced nuclear fuels. Together, Lucideon and NNL are driving clean energy R&D with promising commercial potential. 

Read Lucideon’s story on pages 28-29 of Nuclear Engineering International.