Small modular reactors (SMR) are being considered by many as a novel alternative to existing large nuclear power plants that are being constructed around the world today. SMRs are loosely defined as reactors of a size between a few 10s of megawatts through to several hundred (10MWe to 200MWe) which is in stark contrast to current large plants that are mainly in the 1000MWe to 1600MWe region. Whilst SMRs will not achieve the same economies of scale that large plants achieve, it is suggested that capital cost (per MWe) can be reduced through improved manufacturing learning, production line techniques and production quantities.

To date, very few studies have been conducted to investigate what a mature global SMR manufacturing and supply chain might look like. Some data does exist on previous nuclear build (such as seen in 'The Economic Future of Nuclear Power' a study conducted at the University of Chicago in 2004) and such work is a useful basis for a novel research project that will attempt to develop and understand credible scenarios for future SMR manufacture based on a range of different nuclear technology options that may come to market (such as the reactors proposed by the likes of B&W: mPower, NuScale, CNNC: APC100, HTR-PM and others).

A proposed starting point for the study is to consider factors such as modularisation, factory build and integrated supply chains in the context of other high-value manufacturing industries that produce high-integrity products on a global scale. Examples include aerospace (e.g. Boeing/Airbus), marine (e.g. Doosan) and automotive (e.g. Nissan, Toyota, Ford). Whilst nuclear has its own specific requirements, it seems likely that lessons can be learned from other industries and that any nuclear specific manufacturing, or supply chain requirement would need to be reconciled with the reality of the industrial and technological skills base that currently exists (e.g. a potential global shortage of suitably qualified and experienced nuclear manufacturing engineers).

By taking a top down approach to hypothesising and appraising different global SMR manufacturing and supply chain scenarios it is anticipated that insight can be gained into potential optimum solutions and the various drivers and barriers those different configurations might face. In turn this understanding can help inform the broader debate on the cost competitiveness of SMRs when compared to 'classical' large plants that are constructed on site, and on a site by site basis.

The Studentship will pay all University and College Fees and a maintenance allowance of at least £12,530 per year for 3 years (1 year for MPhil candidates).

Applications should be made on-line via the Cambridge Graduate Admissions Office before the deadline: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/apply/

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