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University partners with Canada to boost international nuclear energy cooperation

Torness Nuclear Power Station

The Advanced Nuclear Research Centre (ANRC) at the University of Strathclyde has joined forces with Canadian partners to drive transformative growth in nuclear energy.

It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CANDU Owners Group (COG) and the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE).

Technology initiatives

The agreement will foster cooperation on nuclear engineering, science and technology initiatives in the areas of research and development, education and training, knowledge management, and nuclear operations support.

ANRC undertakes research and translation for industry-led projects and acts as a hub for all Strathclyde nuclear activities. COG is a Toronto-based nuclear energy not-for-profit corporation whose members are nuclear operators who invest in achieving operational excellence through collaboration. UNENE is a network of Canadian universities, industry, government and international institutions dedicated to excellence in nuclear science, technology and engineering.

Professor Daryl Landeg, Executive Director, ANRC, said: “International collaboration is key to building the capability and capacity to deliver the ambitious growth in nuclear energy that is essential to our energy security and net zero imperatives. Canada and the UK are also uniquely well placed to play a leading role globally in the safe and secure exploitation of nuclear energy.

This agreement will enable us to build lasting productive partnerships aligned with our shared goals to advance nuclear energy.

With a growing appetite for nuclear energy to help jurisdictions around the world power their economies while meeting energy security and climate change goals, collaboration and coordination are essential to help the industry integrate new technologies while improving performance and extending the life of the operating fleet. 

Collaboration opportunities

The MOU, with a five-year renewable term, will enable the organisations to explore collaboration opportunities on the development and application of new technologies for asset and lifecycle management, in technical areas such as industrial informatics and artificial intelligence.

Under the framework, the parties will develop joint research activities and workshops and exchange views on a range of technical subjects.  They have already explored potential areas of collaboration on reactor sustainability issues.

Rachna Clavero, COG President and CEO, said: “We are always seeking new opportunities to create value for our members, and this agreement supports advancement of industry-led projects while expanding our international network of expertise.”

Jerry Hopwood, President of UNENE, said: “UNENE sees great opportunity for each partner in this agreement as we have very strong common interests and objectives, and a history of successful collaboration.

“Working together will bring tremendous scope for synergy and innovation, bringing UNENE universities together with industrial and academic partners”.