Electrical Utilities and Infrastructure
Building a nuclear power plant is a mega project that requires teams of specialists to handle the many aspects of the project—from conception and planning to implementation.
Speak with one of our high voltage Electrical Engineering Specialists today.
Experience in the design and installation of high voltage electrical infrastructure has placed Powersystems in a position ideally suited to carry out nuclear power electrical infrastructure works contracts.
Nuclear power provides a reliable source of low-carbon electricity. Our electricity systems will grow old and could double in size by 2050 as demand for low-carbon electricity in sectors like heat and transport rises. The UK is pursuing large-scale nuclear, whilst also looking to the future of nuclear power through further investment in Small Modular Reactors and Advance Modular Reactors.
Since our first electrical works project for Magnox Ltd., Powersystems has been actively involved with nuclear power projects for the now decommissioned Oldbury and Berkeley nuclear power stations.
The UK Government is putting nuclear at the centre of its strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, alongside renewables. With the lowest lifecycle carbon footprint of all the energy sources, the Government has committed to continuing its development of large and small scale reactors.
This has been outlined in several key policy documents, including the 2020 Energy White Paper, the National Infrastructure Strategy, the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for an Industrial Revolution, and most recently the Net Zero Strategy.
We want to ensure our own energy independence by generating nuclear, wind, hydrogen and solar in this country.
World-renowned energy economist and Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol is no stranger to nuclear power: He has spoken out in favour of all low emissions options, including nuclear energy and says, ‘We are seeing today an energy crisis, along with a humanitarian crisis and a climate crisis. They are all interlinked. I believe we are in fact in the first global energy crisis, and this is affecting the oil markets, gas markets, electricity markets and coal markets. The world has never seen such an energy crisis. It’s a new energy world with new realities – we are at a turning point for global energy.
He believes that nuclear power can play a role in the countries where it is accepted to address both energy security and climate. To do that, we have to make sure that the nuclear industry delivers safely, nuclear power plants on time and on cost.
The 1970s’ oil crisis brought economic and social pain, but it also brought innovation – both in increased energy efficiency and a growth in the use of other sources of energy, including nuclear. Over 40% of today’s nuclear power plants were built in response to the oil crisis!
A key issue with Nuclear Power has always been public opinion, there is however a change in perception. People realize that energy security and tackling climate change are important. If we use a lot of renewables and there is a cold winter day with little wind or solar energy, then we will need other sources of clean electricity like nuclear.
The most common material used in nuclear fission is uranium, a naturally occurring heavy metal that holds an abundance of energy. Uranium was discovered in 1789 and following this it was another century before the scientific exploration and discovery of atoms, radiation and fission, that led to the world’s first commercial nuclear power station Calder Hall, in Cumbria, England.
Nuclear power stations generate electricity by releasing energy held within atoms. Atoms are the building blocks of matter with a nucleus at the centre. In a process called fission the nucleus of an atom is split apart using a neutron, releasing lots of energy and more neutrons in the process, this is known as a chain reaction.
There are many types of nuclear reactor which essentially work the same way, by heating water to create steam which spins a turbine to generate electricity. Heat is produced by the fission chain reaction without burning any fuel, so nuclear power does not release any CO2 or other pollutants into the air. Control rods are used in reactors to absorb excess neutrons and manage the chain reaction.
Current generating reactors in the UK include: 8 Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR) and one Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR), based at six sites across the country. There are ongoing research and development projects looking at exciting applications for the next generation of nuclear reactors, including explorations into nuclear fusion
New reactor designs mean nuclear can do more to cut carbon and fight climate change. New small reactors, advanced reactors, more efficient large reactors and fusion technology are all on the way. They let us use more sites, create more heat, and expand our flexibility. We can decarbonise buildings, transportation, and industry, as well as electricity.
~ Nuclear power creates carbon-free, reliable energy 24/7 whatever the weather.~
Small Modular Reactors
Fusion
Advanced Modular Reactors
The UK was home to the world’s first full-scale civil nuclear power station more than 60 years ago, and this industry now employs around 60,000 people in the UK. We see the ongoing potential of this technology. Whether a large-scale power plant, or next generation technologies such as Small and Advanced Modular Reactors, new nuclear will both produce low carbon power and create jobs and growth across the UK.
Today there are about 439 nuclear power reactors operating in 30 countries plus Taiwan, with a combined capacity of about 390 GWe. In 2021 these provided 2653 TWh, about 10% of the world’s electricity.
Advancing nuclear power as a clean energy source:
New and advanced nuclear power could deliver…
Policy impacts
Target milestones
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