Next Meeting

Small Modular Reactors – an Option for Australia?


Tony Irwin, Chairman, Engineers Australia Nuclear Engineering Panel

Hosted by Nuclear Engineering Panel
5.30 pm for 6 pm Wednesday 22 May 2013
Engineers Australia Harricks Auditorium, Ground Floor,
8 Thomas St, Chatswood
Please register online for catering purposes at this link

Abstract
Nuclear power is a proven option for baseload electricity generation with low emissions of carbon dioxide, but most reactor vendors worldwide currently offer power reactors which are too large for the Australian grid system. A market is emerging worldwide for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with unit sizes from 25 to 200 MWe, for supplying power in remote locations or to small electricity grids. Several water-cooled SMR designs have now progressed beyond the conceptual stage to detailed design and licence application. In the longer term, there are exciting developments in hand for small modular fast reactors.
This presentation will review the status of SMRs worldwide and identify the opp

About Tony Irwin
Tony Irwin has a degree in electrical power engineering and worked for British Energy (formerly the Central Electricity Generating Board) in the UK for more than thirty years, commissioning and operating eight nuclear power plants. Following the Chernobyl accident, he worked with Russian reactor operations engineers to improve their safety culture and was a member of a team that reviewed operating practices at Russian reactors.
In 1999, he moved permanently to Australia and joined the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Department of Government and Public Affairs, where he managed fuel strategies and represented Australia at international meetings. When the project to replace ANSTO’s old HIFAR reactor was approved, he was appointed as Reactor Manager for the commissioning and operation of the new OPAL research reactor.
Since retiring from ANSTO in late 2009, Tony has been a visiting lecturer for the Master of Nuclear Science course at the ANU. He is chairman of Engineers Australia’s Nuclear Engineering Panel and Technical Director of SMR Nuclear Technology Pty Ltd..

ATSE Conference: Nuclear Energy for Australia?

The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) is holding a Conference on "Nuclear Energy for Australia?" in the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney on 25-26 July 2013. This two-day conference will cover the key technological, economic, social and environmental issues relating to the use of nuclear power in Australia. ANA is co-badging this Conference. See the ATSE Nuclear Energy Conference for further information and registration.


ANA2013 Conference Friday, 11th October 2013

The 10th biennial Australian Nuclear Association Conference on Nuclear Science and Engineering in Australia (ANA2013) will be held on Friday, 11th October 2013, in the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt St, Sydney.
The theme of the conference is Nuclear Science and Technology in Action. This is a great opportunity to hear what is happening and to discuss nuclear science and technology developments in Australia and around the world

Please register by completing the registration form and submitting using one of the methods listed on the form. You are encouraged to distribute the conference flyer.


Dr Dennis Mather received ANA Award for 2012

The ANA 2012 Award was presented to Dr Dennis Mather on Friday 7 December by ANA President Dr Therese Donlevy at the ANA Annual Lunch at the Sutherland United Services Club, Sutherland NSW. The 2012 Australian Nuclear Association Annual Award recognises Dr Dennis Mather's outstanding contribution to nuclear science and technology in Australia during his 14 years executive leadership of AINSE.

Dr Dennis Mather has been a leader in nuclear science and technology in Australia as Scientific Secretary of Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Inc and then from 2009 as Managing Director of AINSE Ltd. Dr Mather gained a PhD in chemistry from the University of NSW in 1974. He was a science teacher in NSW high schools before being appointed to the NSW Education Department Statutory Board Directorate. From 1989 to 1998, he worked in the chemical manufacturing industry. In 1998, Dr Mather was appointed Scientific Secretary to the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering Inc (AINSE) with executive responsibility for AINSE activities and staff. When AINSE reincorporated as a new company AINSE Ltd in 2009, Dr Mather became its Managing Director.

During his 14 years with AINSE, the quality and quantity of publications of supported research continuously improved, the membership of AINSE increased by facilitating membership of NZ universities and other research organisations and revenue increased ahead of CPI. An AINSE Trust was established in 2008 to provide scholarships and fellowships for Australian students and researchers who are participating in AINSE programs. These 14 years were a period of enormous change for nuclear science in Australia, with the start of the OPAL reactor and the associated scientific instruments. AINSE and Dr Mather played a significant role in the selection of the instruments which are now producing world class science.


ANA Submission to NSW Inquiry

The ANA made a submission to the NSW Public Works Committee Inquiry into the Economics of Energy Generation in NSW. The Committee is examining the current mix of energy sources used in NSW, makes comparison with other jurisdictions, and the possibility of sourcing energy interstate. The Inquiry is also examining the potential for, and barriers to, alternative forms of energy. The ANA submission makes the case that nuclear power is a proven, economic and mature technology for the generation of baseload electricity with minimal emission of greenhouse gases and strongly recommends that nuclear power be included as a viable option in plans for NSW's energy future.
The final report of the Legislative Assembly Public Accounts Committee Inquiry (tabled on 21 Nov 2012) quotes from the ANA submission in its discussion of the nuclear option.


Last Updated 8 May 2013