NRI Annual Review 2025 - Flipbook - Page 24
Fusion, the next frontier
A vision for the future
Fusion energy continues to captivate
the industry’s imagination as a
potential limitless source of clean
energy. Significant strides are being
made, particularly by China, Europe,
Japan, UK and US all of whom are
actively pursuing this technology.
While commercial fusion reactors
are still some decades away, the
progress signals a promising frontier
for achieving global energy security
and zero-emission targets.
As we look to the future, it is evident
that nuclear energy, with the aid
of emerging technologies, will play
an indispensable role in achieving
a sustainable global energy mix.
By embracing innovation, we can
overcome existing challenges and
unlock the path to a brighter, more
sustainable future. At NRI, we are
committed to supporting this
transformation, working collaboratively
with industry partners to realise the
full potential of these groundbreaking
technologies.
“I believe we are approaching a
significant breakthrough with fusion.
Once perfected, it holds the promise
to revolutionise the global energy
landscape, unlocking a future of
sustainable and abundant energy.”
The pending global challenges
Despite these advancements,
challenges such as supply chain
constraints, and a shrinking skilled
workforce remain critical. Addressing
these issues requires concerted
efforts to attract new talent and
foster innovative solutions. Regulatory
frameworks will also need to adapt
swiftly to keep pace with technological
advancements, ensuring safety and
compliance without stifling innovation.
The UK government’s recent initiatives
to streamline deployment through the
Generic Design Assessment (GDA),
regulatory processes and investment
illustrate a positive step towards
overcoming these hurdles.
As an engineer
with four decades’
experience, I see
SMRs as the future of
nuclear energy. Their
ability to be linked for
scaled capacity while
allowing for individual
unit maintenance
without compromising
generation makes them
ideal for modern
energy demands.
Daniel Tyrrell
Engineering Surveyor, NRI
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