Robot makers will have a chance to compete for £3million worth of funding as part of a competition aimed at developing nuclear decommissioning technology.
The two government bodies behind the initiative, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Innovate UK, said the technology should be used to reduce the risks posed to workers, and to lower costs.
The robotic and remotely-operated products could be used to dismantle the facilities at Sellafield.
Two of Sellafield’s major facilities for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel are set to close by 2020, when the site will shift to full-scale decommissioning and waste management.
If they are deployed successfully at the Cumbria site, the equipment could be rolled out across the NDA’s wider estate, which includes Dounreay in Caithness.
Technical innovation manager Chris Hope, who is on secondment to the NDA’s Technology Team from Sellafield, said: “We are particularly interested in robotics, other autonomous systems, sensors and detectors, imaging and virtual reality – these will ensure a safer environment for the workforce and support planning.
“On this occasion, Sellafield are closely involved as the potential end-user, so the technologies will be aligned with the requirements. We’re also hoping that prospective solutions can be tested at the site.”
A brokering session will take place at the Oil & Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen on February 28. It will provide further opportunities for organisations to understand what’s required and link up with prospective partners.
Applications musts be submitted by April 26.
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