Nuclear Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN)

KTNs have been established and are funded by government, industry and
academia. They bring together diverse organisations and provide activities
and initiatives that promote the exchange of knowledge and the stimulation
of innovation in these communities.
http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/knowledgetransfernetworks.ashx

A Nuclear Group has now been set up within the Energy Generation and Supply
KTN, with the aim of creating an integrated and dynamic network of
business, technology, academic and policy stakeholders delivering strategic
and effective knowledge exchange to advance the UK Energy Generation &
Supply sector.  Within the nuclear sector they will be addressing some of the
opportunities considered by the Technology Strategy Board to present
significant benefit to the UK, both in terms of the capability within the
UK, and to help the UK to compete in the international nuclear renaissance.
The KTN offers a government funded virtual hub to share information through
web based activities as well as targeted events focussing on priority areas
within the nuclear industry.

The KTN (which is managed by the National Nuclear Laboratory) offers a
government funded virtual hub to share information through web based
activities as well as targeted events focussing on priority areas within
the nuclear industry.

You can join the network at the following site:

https://ktn.innovateuk.org/web/nuclear

Make sure you join the Energy Generation and Supply KTN and specify the
Nuclear Group to be included in the Nuclear KTN activities.

NESTet 2011

As with much in the nuclear world at the moment many of the presentations at NESTet mentioned the accident at Fukushima. It seems at the moment though that nuclear courses are robust and mature enough to continue to grow. Simulation and virtual reality is growing as a teaching tool although it is not available for open license due to the IP and development hours involved.The UK have a stronger than recent presence at nuclear educational conferences with contributions from NAILS, Cogent, NSAN, NI YGN and Atkins. It also appears to be much more of an international conference compared to the first NESTet in Budapest in 2008.

The UK-US Relationship in the 21st Century: Energy and Security

The workshop was organised by the British High Consulate in Houston and the Bush School at Texas A&M. After an introduction by the Counsel General four breakout groups considered various aspects if the theme. The nuclear discussion highlighted the already strong collaborations that have existed between the UK and US for the last 60 years and the way future global collaborations can ensure a safe development of nuclear power across the world. The IAEA must do a good job in relation to the situation at Fukushima but must also have the confidence of non nuclear stakeholders. Without a global infrastructure nuclear developments will struggle to garner the confidence of the doubters.

CONTE 2011

Returned to the CONTE (Conference on Nuclear Training and Education) 4 years after my last attendance and found much more of interest. Talks on the use of simulators were popular and more talks from universities showing how they are working with industry rather than letting the industry organise its own training in isolation. The use of technology was the subject of quite a few talks and I mange to grab a few interviews for NLTV.

Smallpeice Reception, House of Commons

The reception organised by the Smallpeice Trust showcased some of the great work that the Trust is involved in supported pupils who are considering a career in engineering or science. Several schools demonstrated their understanding of the requirement for electricity producing windmills with support from universities and industry both present. Charles Hendry MP was there to award the prizes and he forecast that engineers will be the heroes of the forthcoming years. A podcast report is available from NLTV www.nltv.co.uk

C-NET Launch Event

C-NET, the Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology, is a new centre, supported by the NWDA, at The University of Manchester that is focussed on front end nuclear cycle, apart from enrichment, activities. It’s remit is research, education and training as well as supporting the North West nuclear industrial sector. The Launch Event has been organised to showcase the wide range of research with presentations from several Professors that lead the research activities. It was very well attended by both universities and industry. Hopefully it will advertise the capabilities of the centre to industry to boost collaborative opportunities. A podcast report is also available from NLTV at www.nltv.co.uk

NIA/NI Annual Dinner 2010

Estimates varied between 1400 and 1500 attendees but even with the non-attendance of some due to the snow it was the largest ever annual dinner and this year held at The Grosvenor House Hotel. Norman Harrison was announced as the new President of the NI to succeed Paul Thomas. Michael Portillo was the after dinner speaker and he started off amusing and then ended up as informative, which was interesting but perhaps not as entertaining for the audience at that time of night.

Energy Choices 2010

The buoyant confident nature of the current state of the nuclear industry was reflected by the conference which was very assured and perhaps more dull as a result. NuGeneration was announced as the name for the Iberdrola, SSE, GDF Suez consortium so it is now in the same position as Horizon in waiting for the conclusion of the GDA to will make a decision. One of the major messages of the day was the need to educate the public about radiation and nuclear energy but some doubt was raised as to whether the vendors should be part of this process. I hope the vendors will at least support the process.

Eurosafe Forum on European Co-Operation in Education on Nuclear Safety

A one day meeting organised by Eurosafe as an outcome or our presentation to the Eurosafe Steering Committee back in February. One good thing about the meeting was that they managed to get Joseph Safieh and Anselm Schafer talking about ENEN and SNETP ETKM to the same audience. Hopefully the view expressed that there are many universities outside of ENEN that do nuclear and would benefit from networking was well received but a long time may be the only thing that tells.

Eurosafe Forum on European Co-Operation in Education on Nuclear Safety

A one day meeting organised by Eurosafe as an outcome or our presentation to the Eurosafe Steering Committee back in February. One good thing about the meeting was that they managed to get Joseph Safieh and Anselm Schafer talking about ENEN and SNETP ETKM to the same audience. Hopefully the view expressed that there are many universities outside of ENEN that do nuclear and would benefit from networking was well received but a long time may be the only thing that tells.