The University of Liverpool’s Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) has been appointed as the lead partner in a key UK Research and Development project to develop a digital framework which will help improve planning, de-risk design and support efficiency in the operation of new nuclear reactor projects by enabling full collaboration between all the key stakeholders and developers involved in this process.
The Virtual Engineering Centre will be working closely with specialist researchers at University of Liverpool’s Institute for Risk and Uncertainty and Department of Engineering and in collaboration with fellow project partners Wood PLC (formerly Amec Foster Wheeler), National Nuclear Laboratory, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, Cambridge University, Imperial College and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Hartree Centre.
The project aims to create a digital framework for a nuclear reactor simulation, which is to be implemented as a proof of concept for two types of nuclear reactor; Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) and an Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor (AGR).
The Virtual Engineering Centre brings significant experience in the development of collaborative architectures, from other sectors such as aerospace to support the project’s long term aim to provide an integrated digital environment for the nuclear sector (INDE).
Collaboration and understanding sector requirements and constraints is extremely important in the development of the architecture. To address this issue, the project partners will be hosting an open workshop for the nuclear industry, SME supply chain and stakeholders.
To find out more about the progress of the project, view demonstrations and provide input to how the development can support greater collaboration between the supply chains, please contact Lynn Dwyer, ldwyer@liv.ac.uk for more information.
