C-NET launches at The University of Manchester

09 Feb 2011

The Centre of Nuclear Energy Technology has officially launched at The University of Manchester, to an audience of industry professionals and nuclear academics.

Established to place the region at the forefront of reactor fuels and nuclear fuels technology, C-NET is the result of collaboration between the North West Development Agency and The University of Manchester.

Showcasing C-NET’s capabilities in research, testing, simulation and skills development, key speakers on the day included Director of C-NET Professor Tim Abram and nuclear fuels expert Dame Sue Ion.

Professor Abram said of the launch event: “We are really pleased to see so many people here from industry.

“The purpose of C-NET is to address the needs of industry, it’s not an academically-driven centre. The idea is to produce great science and academically excellent engineering, but also to address the needs of industry.

“It’s important that we are engaged strongly with industry and use our expertise to drive value for industry and bring them to the North West region.

“Manchester is home to the UK’s largest community of nuclear researchers, so it’s appropriate that C-NET, focusing on fuels and reactors, should be based here.”

Dame Sue commented: “C-NET is a tremendous initiative because it’s a fantastic opportunity for the North West, and Manchester in particular, to stay at the forefront of nuclear energy, which is where we should be.”

Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, Professor Andrew Sherry, said: “With the commitment The University of Manchester has shown, we now have the largest single university-focused expertise and some very exciting new research facilities.

“The fact that we have a number of industrial partners linked in to the nuclear programme at Manchester really shows that the programmes being developed here, the people here, and the facilities here are really the best in the UK.

“For Manchester to be right at the centre of it is very exciting.”

Also in attendance was Adrian Bull, Westinghouse Electrical Company’s Manager of Media and Stakeholder Relations for Europe, Middle East and Africa. He said: “Westinghouse are delighted to be involved with C-NET, based around The University of Manchester.

“With a work scope encompassing both new nuclear build and the longer-term development of new reactors, together with support to operating stations and other aspects of the fuel cycle, C-NET has a close fit to Westinghouse’s business, both in the UK and beyond.”

For more information, visit www.manchester.ac.uk/c-net