The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has renewed its multimillion-pound Embedded Engineering Resource Framework with seven companies in the fusion sector.
The renewal follows a successful four-year supply of a breadth of fusion engineering resources to UKAEA in support of its mission to deliver fusion energy.
The Framework, with a value up to £9m, supports the development of a UK industrial supply chain capability, and affords companies the opportunity to embed and upskill their own engineers within the multiple projects and programme areas at UKAEA.
Gary Stables, Engineering Frameworks Contract Project Manager, UKAEA, explained: “Embedding engineers within UKAEA is a win-win. The embedded engineers help to progress key fusion projects, while gaining valuable skills and experience in fusion.
Boosting fusion engineering expertise is vital for the development of fusion energy and maximising the benefits to industry.”
Supporting growth of the fusion ecosystem
Additionally, the Framework continues to create the opportunity for companies to collaborate with each other on fusion engineering projects and, crucially, to bring in their supply chain and grow the fusion ecosystem.
Successes from the past four years include embedding more than 80 engineers within the following programme areas:
- JET Decommissioning and Repurposing (JDR)
- Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE)
- Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak (MAST) Upgrade
- Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)
- Fusion Technology (FT)
- Materials Research Facility (MRF)
“With increased capacity to access technical expertise from selected industrial partners, the Framework will help accelerate the commercialisation of fusion energy,” Stables commented.
Industry support for fusion engineering uptake
Following the announcement, UKAEA technical leads and embedded engineers have given feedback on the benefits and successful projects of the Framework.
Ben Quirk, Senior Mechanical Engineer at UKAEA, stated: “Working on the industry survey of available technologies for sub-surface damage inspection with the embedded engineer was very rewarding. They did an excellent job leading the investigation into potential technologies to undertake in-bore pipe repair.
“The engineer worked in collaboration with a wide-ranging team of engineers – both within UKAEA and from partner organisations – and gained skills and know-how about additive manufacturing techniques for the fusion market.”
Dean McGarragel, Mechanical Engineer at M5tec, added: “Working on this project has furthered my knowledge of fusion engineering technologies, particularly the materials required in a fusion environment and their properties.
“I also gained insight into modern UK additive manufacturing, the material deposition technology sector, and the capabilities and constraints associated with these technologies.”
He concluded: “Working with a team of engineers, embedded within UKAEA, from a range of companies and backgrounds, was an inspiring example of cross-collaboration to advance fusion energy and position the UK as a global leader in the industry.”
