New £13m nuclear programme to boost UK energy security through sustainable graphite innovation
The University of Manchester has been awarded a major grant to lead a new programme that will transform the lifecycle of graphite in nuclear energy – an essential material for the future deployment of nuclear power.
The award brings together world-leading expertise led by The University of Manchester in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford, Plymouth, and Loughborough.
Nuclear energy is expected to play a central role in the UK’s net zero goals as it emits nearly zero carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions – but it comes with challenges.
The five-year ENLIGHT programme (Enabling a Lifecycle Approach to Graphite for Advanced Modular Reactors) will develop critical technologies to support the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy technology and will address two of the UK’s most pressing nuclear challenges – securing a sustainable, sovereign supply of nuclear graphite and finding solutions to manage the country’s growing volume of irradiated graphite waste.
The project is supported with an £8.2m grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Higher Education Institutions, and around £5m of contributions from industry partners.
The programme of research, collaboration, and skills development aims to secure the UK’s position at the forefront of nuclear innovation and a global leader in advanced reactor technology and clean energy innovation.
Home to the Dalton Nuclear Institute and a core partner in the Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester is uniquely positioned to lead the ENLIGHT programme. The University brings together cutting-edge facilities from the Irradiated Materials Laboratory and the Molten Salts in Nuclear Technology Laboratory.
Principle Investigator Professor Abbie Jones, Chair in Nuclear Graphite at The University of Manchester and Royce Research Area Lead for Nuclear Materials said:
“Nuclear graphite plays a vital role in the safety and efficiency of advanced reactors, yet the UK currently relies on overseas suppliers for this material. ENLIGHT will lay the foundation to reestablish UK-based graphite supply chain while developing sustainable solutions to recycle and reuse irradiated graphite – transforming a growing waste stream into a valuable resource. This programme will reduce waste, strengthen energy security, and support the country’s net zero ambitions.”
ENLIGHT will also build on Manchester’s role in flagship activities and initiatives including, the Nuclear Waste Services Research Support Office, the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training in Nuclear Energy, Robotics and AI in Nuclear (RAIN) and Robotics and AI Collaboration in Cumbria (RAICo).
