The AMR RD&D programme aims to demonstrate
high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology by the early
2030s, in time for potential commercial AMRs to support
net zero by 2050.
From: Department for Energy
Security and Net Zero and Department for Business,
Energy & Industrial Strategy
Published 2 September 2022
Last updated 30 January 2024 — See all updates
Documents
AMR Research, Development
and Demonstration: Phase A (2022-2023) successful
organisations
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AMR RD&D Phase A:
Post-closure summary
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AMR Research, Development
and Demonstration: Phase B (2023-2025): successful
organisations
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Details
The AMR RD&D programme
aims to demonstrate high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology by the
early 2030s, in time for any potential
commercial AMRs to support net zero
by 2050.
This HTGR demonstration,
which will be sited in the UK, should be shaped by end-user
requirements, and should incentivise private investment
in HTGRs by removing
technical risk. It should have innovation at the centre of its
design, build, and application.
Phase A of the AMR RD&D programme
Five lead UK organisations received funding as part of the first
phase of the programme, across 6 projects. Projects will test the
feasibility of high temperature gas reactor technology and coated
particle fuel.
To support Phase A the nuclear regulators, the Office for Nuclear
Regulation (ONR) and the Environment
Agency (EA) were
allocated up to £830,000 to continue to build and maintain their
capability on advanced nuclear technologies.
Phase B of the AMR RD&D programme
Phase B of
the AMR RD&D programme provides
development funding for 2 high temperature gas reactor
(HTGR)
reactor designs to undertake FEED+ (Front End
Engineering Design and supporting activities) studies until March
2025 to help enable an AMR Demonstration by the
early 2030s.
In parallel, Phase B will also push the development of an
advanced fuel required for AMRs, through the UK Coated
Particle Fuel (CPF) –
Step 1 Programme. This first step builds on the learning of the
Advanced Cycle Fuel Programme and provides the National Nuclear
Laboratory with funding to coordinate a team to continue UK
know-how and expertise on CPF fabrication and scale-up
activities.
Regulatory engagement
To support Phase B the nuclear regulators, the Office for Nuclear
Regulation (ONR) and the Environment
Agency (EA) have been
allocated up to £4.3 million to continue to build their
capability to support the development and future deployment
of AMRs in the UK. The scope
of work includes:
- review of relevant guidance to ensure it is fit for purpose
for AMR development and
deployment in the UK
- engagement with Phase B reactor and Coated Particle Fuel
projects until March 2025 to provide regulatory guidance as
appropriate to support the development of innovative technologies
in the UK
- provide regulatory advice to the department for policy
development and competition design and delivery.
Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) Knowledge Capture
Project
Separately the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
(DESNZ) is
providing up to £4 million funding for the Advanced Modular
Reactor (AMR)
Knowledge Capture Project, as a complementary project to
the AMR Research, Development
and Demonstration (RD&D)
programme.
The project seeks to facilitate knowledge capture and sharing to
reduce the time, risk, and cost of AMR RD&D programme
delivery, and provide UK organisations with valuable knowledge to
leverage against international funding.
The contract to take forward the AMR Knowledge Capture
Project has been awarded to Ove Arup and Partners Limited who are
leading a consortium with partners National Nuclear Laboratory
Ltd and Bangor University.
If you have questions about the Knowledge Capture Project, get in
touch via the messaging area on the Jaggaer
platform
Background
The AMR RD&D programme
is part of the Advanced Nuclear Fund and is aligned with the Net
Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) which aims to
accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy
technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s.
Published 2 September 2022
Last updated 30 January 2024 + show all
updates
