ThorEA - Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future.pdf

Chapter 3: An R&D Programme to secure a UK global lead in thorium-fuelled ADSR technology continued
Throughout all stages of the project ThorEACo will subcontract,
commission and oversee the development and progress of
associated ADSR technologies, e.g. those related to thorium
fuel cycles, reactor core design and cooling systems, and
materials research relevant to spallation targets, sub- and
superstructures etc. The company will be responsible for
capturing appropriate IP from these activities.
In line with other large-scale programmes the ADSR development
project would use the Government Office of Commerce’s
Gateway review process. In line with the Gateway process –
and project management best practice – the ThorEACo would:
Employ Project Management professionals.
Collaboration with industrial partners would help
strengthen the teams skills in this important area
Clearly identify the business case for the
alternative outcomes
Define, from the start, realistic budgets to ensure the
objectives can the achieved on time and to budget
Give due consideration to the procurement strategy
28 Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future
3.8 Geographical location of ThorEACo: The
case for location at Daresbury Science and
Innovation Campus.
The R&D programme and management structure outlined in
this chapter is essentially entirely site-independent. However,
given that the principal on-site ThorEACo activity in phases
1 to 3 of the R&D programme is the design, construction and
commissioning of an ADSR accelerator driver, there are specific
advantages in locating ThorEACo at the Daresbury Science and
Innovation Campus (DSIC). These include, for example:
Close proximity to EMMA and the team which has
played the major role in delivering the prototype
ns-FFAG from which the thorium-fuelled ADSR project
has evolved, and where world-class expertise and
training in all aspects of accelerator science and
technology resides.
The potential to re-cycle and exploit buildings,
civil and mechanical engineering infrastructures,
radiation shielding, and accelerator components and
diagnostics all made redundant by the recent closure
of the Synchrotron Radiation Facility, thereby saving
the proposed R&D programme several tens of millions
of pounds.
It should be emphasised, however, that stage 3 of the
programme – the construction of a demonstrator thoriumfuelled
ADSR power station – will have to be located at an
appropriately licensed nuclear facility.