Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a £1.2million contract with GSE Solutions to develop a power station simulator, as it continues to mature the design of its Small Modular Reactor technology and remains on track to complete Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment this summer.
GSE Solutions is a world leader in advanced engineering and workforce solutions across the clean-energy and power industries. This simulator will play a key role in Rolls-Royce SMR’s programme to develop, verify and validate the performance and control systems of its unique ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant. It forms part of a much wider programme of development activities that are focussed on ensuring the ‘delivery-certain’ nature of the plant.
David Dodd, Rolls-Royce SMR Engineering Director, said: “Commissioning a simulation and test platform is another stride towards deploying the first Rolls-Royce SMR power plant. The work with GSE is part of our ‘digital-first’ methodology and our truly modular approach to developing new nuclear power – a reliable source of clean, affordable energy for the UK and the rest of the world.”
In a recent update, the Office for Nuclear Regulation confirmed that Rolls-Royce SMR is on track to complete Step 2 of Generic Design Assessment this summer – with the intention of moving straight into the third and final step. This progress through the assessment by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators (the ONR, Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales) confirms Rolls-Royce SMR’s position as being significantly ahead of any other SMR design in Europe.