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Dan will be presenting at this year's Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design conference, to join the presentations and networking, simply visit the event website.
Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Dan Wollf (DW): I head up business strategy for the STEP programme which is going to build a prototype fusion energy plant in Nottinghamshire. I am a chartered engineer having cut my teeth in fission before moving to focus on fusion energy, initially as a designer, then in leading the adoption of systems engineering before my current strategy role.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
DW: Fusion needs to develop a supply chain that can deliver commercial fusion energy. This is both a pressing challenge and an enormous opportunity. STEP sets out to meet this challenge in the UK by uniting the public sector and industry around a common goal of building a prototype fusion energy plant which will develop the capabilities in UK industry that can take a leading role in delivering commercial fusion energy globally.
How would you say your industry has evolved over the past five years?
DW: The STEP programme began five years ago and in that time we have seen a real growth in interest in fusion energy globally. Investment has flooded into companies developing fusion technologies and other countries are seeing the progress made by STEP and looking to replicate that.
What developments are going on in your industry that may have an impact on the development of future nuclear reactor design?
DW: There are many aspects of development of fusion energy that have read across into the designing of future nuclear reactors. For example, on STEP we are pioneering the development of digital tools and codes which will have broad applicability beyond the fusion sector. Also, materials and maintenance approaches that we need to develop for fusion energy will have uses in fission reactors
What will you be presenting at the ‘Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design’ event and how will this benefit participants?
DW: I will be providing an update on STEP, the UK’s pioneering STEP programme which aims to build a prototype fusion energy powerplant that will demonstrate net energy from fusion, plus fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance. All of these are needed for subsequent commercial plants. The programme will be delivered by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority Group.
I am going to look back at what we’ve achieved so far and look ahead at the progress we have planned in the coming years as we work towards a prototype fusion energy plant putting electricity on the grid. I hope participants will find our progress in tackling one the great engineering challenges inspiring. I know I do.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
DW: I am a strong advocate of maximising the application of fission and fusion energy beyond baseload electricity generation, so I am particularly looking forward to the Heat & Hydrogen session.
Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
DW: Coming together at events such as this allow us to share ideas, challenge assumptions and make connections all of which can allow us to progress our own specific design challenges more effectively.
This year's Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design conference will take place on 1-2 October 2024 in Manchester
The conference is a key forum for all technical innovators, manufacturers, designers, and government regulators involved to meet, discuss technical developments and share updates on the latest AMR and SMR projects in the UK and abroad.
Join the 2024 conference and examine how engineers are addressing key engineering challenges, including nuclear criticality safety, data analysis and fault detection, fuel development, and production routes.
For the full agenda and to register to join the discussions at this year's event, please visit the event website.