AFCP goes virtual: Second technical meeting success

Two days. Eleven projects. Over 30 presentations. More than 130 attendees. Fourteen short video submissions. Two panel discussions. One brainstorm. One programme.

Totalling these numbers summarises the great success that was AFCP’s second virtual Quarterly Technical Meeting earlier this week.

This meeting marked major collaboration across the programme, enabling AFCP partners from the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), academia and industry to present the highlights and impact of their work. Additionally, stakeholders from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office (NIRO), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Energy Systems Catapult led discussions and reflections about the UK’s evolving clean energy landscape. With so much insight packed into only two days, the team launched innovative solutions to deliver a valuable virtual event.

Photograph showing two computer monitors, each with the AFCP Quarterly Technical Meeting playing on screen. In front of the computers is a notepad with scribbled notes as well as a mobile phone and pair of headphones plugged into one of the laptops.
Behind-the-scenes look at managing the array of engaging speakers, videos and presentations across the two-day event.

For this Quarterly Technical Meeting, AFCP sought a range of ‘pitches’ to play throughout the two days. These short video submissions challenged AFCP members to summarise the Net Zero impact of their work in under two minutes. The challenge was met with creativity across the team, with pitches taking the form of scientific demonstrations, animated presentations, technical deep-dives and videos about the value of industry and public engagement. Thank you to everyone across the programme who contributed content – with a special shout out to Alastair Baker from the University of Leeds, Rob Harrison from the University of Manchester, Sarah Pepper from the University of Leeds and Kate Wallace from NNL, whose pitches were voted as the audience favourites!

Photograph of a computer monitor showing the AFCP Quarterly Technical Meeting on screen, with a small white dog watching in the foreground.
The AFCP Quarterly Technical Meeting attracted a range of participants across the programme!

The event also featured a range of AFCP staff across the programme, who provided overviews and updates about each of AFCP’s eleven technical areas. AFCP was also fortunate to engage thought leaders across Government, regulation, national lab and industry as panellists. These discussions focused on opportunities, challenges and predictions about the role of fuel cycle innovation in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, truly underpinning the value of the widespread technical ambition evolving across the programme.

The Quarterly Technical Meeting would not be complete without hosting from AFCP Technical Director Paul Nevitt and support from Programme Manager Emma Vernon. AFCP can’t wait to see what is in store for the next virtual meeting this winter.