Oldbury’s £9.5M Tech Breakthrough: Robots Transform Nuclear Waste

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In a groundbreaking move toward advancing nuclear waste management, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has unveiled a pioneering partnership aimed at deploying innovative technology for the first time on a nuclear site. This initiative will focus on the remote and autonomous sorting and segregation of radioactive waste, a crucial step in enhancing efficiency and safety in nuclear decommissioning.

The NDA has pledged an investment of up to £9.5 million over the next four years to support this transformative project, known as Auto-SAS. This collaboration brings together the expertise of Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), Sellafield, and Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), marking a significant milestone in the UK’s nuclear sector.

The Auto-SAS project will be delivered in partnership by AtkinsRéalis and Createc, working together as ARCTEC. Their joint experience in developing automated systems and robotics within the nuclear industry will be instrumental in the project’s success. Leveraging insights gained from previous innovation competitions, ARCTEC aims to create a system that will be operational at the NRS Oldbury site, a former nuclear power station.

Melanie Brownridge, NDA Chief R&D Officer, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This is a hugely exciting project for us, using robotics to autonomously sort and categorise waste and has the potential to save hundreds of millions of pounds in waste storage and disposal costs.” She highlighted the collaborative spirit that underpins this venture, saying, “It’s a great example of collaboration across the NDA group and supply chain to develop transformative solutions to decommissioning challenges which enable us to deliver our mission safely and efficiently.” Brownridge further added, “Our ambition is to use what we learn here to benefit multiple sites in the NDA group and potentially beyond.”

The manual segregation of radioactive waste poses significant challenges due to its hazardous nature. Currently, mixed waste is often classified as Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) or Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM) without precise categorisation by type or radioactivity. This method can lead to unnecessary costs and risks, underscoring the importance of the Auto-SAS initiative.

By employing robotics, the project aims to enhance the accuracy of waste categorisation, thereby reducing reliance on more expensive waste disposal routes when they are not warranted. Additionally, the use of robotics will remove personnel from hazardous environments, allowing them to acquire new skills and focus on safer operational tasks.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks praised the partnership, stating, “This cutting-edge partnership represents exactly the kind of innovation the UK needs to lead the world in safe, efficient nuclear decommissioning. It will put the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at the forefront of using robotics to sort nuclear waste. Not only will this help protect and upskill workers, but by investing in technologies like this, we can ensure better value for taxpayers and potentially save hundreds of millions of pounds.”

The initial deployment of Auto-SAS will be at the NRS Oldbury site in South Gloucestershire, where it will focus on separating low-level waste from intermediate-level waste retrieved from the site’s vaults, which were established when the power station was operational.

Andrew Forrest, NRS Chief Technical Officer, remarked on the transformative potential of this collaboration, saying, “This collaboration brings a game-changing opportunity to accelerate our waste management and help deliver the decommissioning mission sooner, safely and cost-effectively. I know the Oldbury team is excited to be part of the project and be a centre of innovation for the NDA group.”

The ARCTEC system will employ a sophisticated array of sensors to categorise the waste. Following this, robotic manipulators will carefully handle waste items, ensuring they are directed to the most appropriate disposal route. This level of precision is expected to revolutionise the way radioactive waste is managed.

Robert Marwood, Head of Robotics and Technology for AtkinsRéalis, shared his excitement about the project, stating, “This is an ambitious project with the potential to automate a time-consuming process and develop a scalable system that segregates hazardous materials safely and efficiently. AtkinsRéalis and Createc have a strong track record in developing and deploying advanced robotic systems in nuclear decommissioning. We are excited to be able to combine this expertise to collaborate and help the NDA achieve effective and optimised waste management for the UK’s legacy nuclear sites.”

The overarching aim of the Auto-SAS initiative is to transfer the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the project to other NDA group sites, including Sellafield, thereby amplifying its impact across the nuclear landscape in the UK.

Rav Chunilal, Head of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sellafield Ltd, noted the significance of this advancement, stating, “At Sellafield we’ve experienced first-hand how robotics and autonomous systems can revolutionise nuclear operations. Auto-SAS builds on that momentum, protecting our people and unlocking new levels of precision and efficiency in waste categorisation. And it has great potential to set a new standard for waste management across the NDA group.”

Gareth Garrs, Head of Waste Inventory and Compliance at Nuclear Waste Services, added, “This is another strong example of collaboration across the NDA group, with NWS providing waste management advice and expertise to the nuclear industry around future waste disposals. With the increased deployment of these types of innovative technologies, NWS brings unique expertise in the management of radioactive waste which will ensure we deliver significant benefits in terms of safety and efficiency.”

The Auto-SAS project will unfold in two distinct phases. Phase 1 is set to run from June 2025 to August 2027, during which a fully operational system will be established in an inactive environment. Following this, Phase 2 will involve an active demonstration of the system at Oldbury, showcasing its capabilities in real-world conditions.

This collaborative initiative is not merely about enhancing technical capabilities; it also represents a significant stride towards a safer and more efficient future in nuclear waste management. As we look ahead, the successful implementation of the Auto-SAS project could redefine standards and practices not only within the NDA group but across the global nuclear industry.

Image and Video credit: NDA

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