University of Birmingham experts continue to build their partnership with Chinese nuclear regulators – holding a high-profile international workshop to help develop cleaner, safer and more sustainable civil atomic energy.
Senior representatives from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NSC) and the Ministry of Ecology & Environment visited the University for a joint workshop on nuclear decommissioning and waste management in China and the UK.
Hosted by the University’s Centre of Nuclear Education and Research and the Birmingham Energy Institute, the event gathered researchers, students, government officials and industry representatives to tackle the nuclear challenges faced by both countries.
Professor Cherry Tweed, Chief Scientific Advisor for the Radioactive Waste Management of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and Mr Tan Ge, First Secretary of the Science and Technology Department of the Chinese Embassy London, also took part in the workshop.
The workshop followed the University signing an agreement with NSC and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to work on collaborative education and research in nuclear policy, safety and regulation, as well as environmental impact and assessment of nuclear radiation.
Professor Andy Schofield, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said: “We are very pleased to welcome our NSC colleagues to our campus again, for this important joint workshop on waste management and decommissioning, a key part of the sustainable civil nuclear power that our both countries seek to develop.
“With our leading strength in civil nuclear education and research, strong engagement and influence at the industry, research, and policy aspects of the civil nuclear development, the University of Birmingham, is ideally placed to organise and host such an important activity. “We look forward to continuing working with NSC and all the other partners to help develop a safe and efficient civil nuclear system for our respective countries and the world.”
Professor Xinhua Liu, Director of Nuclear Fuel Recycle and Rad-Waste Management Department, NSC, said: “China's rapidly growing civil nuclear energy capability has made an important contribution to ensuring energy security, protecting the environment, improving people's living standards, and promoting high-quality economic development. In order to better utilise nuclear energy and achieve greater progress, we must address the challenges it poses and ensure nuclear safety.
“The NSC is honoured to partner with the University of Birmingham, through this workshop and our other collaborative activities, to learn and share the complementary strengths China and the UK have developed in nuclear waste management and decommissioning. We look forward to more success in our collaboration to benefit both our two institutions and our two countries.”
Professor Martin Freer, Director of Birmingham Energy Institute, added: “The UK has been producing and managing radioactive waste for many decades, and is trying to make sure all our legacy nuclear sites are decommissioned and cleaned up safely, securely, cost-effectively and in ways that protect people and the environment. There is a strong synergy between our two countries in this area while we collaborate in developing safe and sustainable nuclear power as part of our energy strategies.”
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