Can Nuclear Regulation Ensure Safety for People and the Environment While Fostering Innovation? Transitioning from Potential to Sustainable Progress

Jake Surman serves as the innovation lead for the Environment Agency within the nuclear strategy team. As the annual meeting of the Heads of Innovation Forum convenes, he shares insights regarding ongoing efforts in the sector.

The Promise of Innovative Nuclear Technologies

Emerging nuclear technologies, novel applications of radioactive materials, and advancements in digital innovations hold the potential to enable the UK to generate more affordable low-carbon energy, expedite the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, and foster the development of innovative medical treatments. However, these advancements also pose significant questions regarding their implications for individuals, communities, and the environment.

This underscores the critical importance of effective regulation. Robust oversight facilitates the progress of innovation while ensuring the protection of both people and the environment, rather than relegating safety and environmental concerns to an afterthought.

Our regulatory efforts take us to various nuclear sites and organisations that utilise radioactive substances, where our regulators engage with operators to understand the challenges they encounter. We are dedicated to collaboratively resolving these issues. Our commitment is dual-focused: supporting innovation while safeguarding public health and environmental integrity. As advocates of responsible innovation, we are prepared to offer early guidance to the industry, ensuring that environmental protection remains at the core of our initiatives.

Collaborative Efforts with the Nuclear Industry

On 17 September, the Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) convened 30 senior innovation leaders from both industry and regulatory bodies for the second Heads of Innovation Forum dedicated to the nuclear sector. The objective was straightforward: to exchange successful strategies, identify areas for improvement, and establish collaborative efforts where joint action can yield significant benefits.

During this forum, we prioritised key topics to focus on for our regulatory and innovation efforts in the nuclear sector through to 2027/28. This prioritisation will enable both regulators and industry to concentrate their resources where they can achieve the most substantial impact. The focal areas include:

• Simplification and enhancement of processes;
• Innovative approaches to radioactive waste management;
• Licensing and permitting considerations for new reactor technologies;
• Robotics and autonomous systems;
• Integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, wireless instrumentation, advanced manufacturing, and battery technologies; and
• Innovations in construction.

Facilitating Regulatory Support

We have identified three practical methodologies to address barriers and foster innovation:

• Expert panels;
• Innovation advice; and
• Regulatory sandboxing.

These approaches facilitate early discussions between regulators and industry stakeholders regarding new concepts. They promote a shared understanding of the possibilities, the genuine challenges at hand, and the evidence required prior to decision-making. By providing early guidance, we can also mitigate the risk of costly modifications or regulatory interventions later by identifying potential issues when designs and plans are still adaptable.

Importantly, these approaches complement rather than replace formal decisions on permits or compliance. We ensure a clear distinction between our innovation initiatives and regulatory decisions, thus allowing us to nurture new ideas without compromising our commitment to public safety and environmental stewardship.

Utilising Expert Panels for Regulatory Advancement

Recently, we have employed expert panels to investigate the regulation of remote operations within nuclear facilities. One notable example involves the use of robots for managing radioactive waste, which could be effectively operated from outside the premises of a nuclear site, thereby accelerating the decommissioning process. Findings from this initiative will be published shortly. The ONR has also spearheaded another expert panel focusing on decision-making across groups of similar facilities or technologies, to which we are contributing, with the aim of facilitating the design and operation of nuclear reactors. This initiative seeks to learn from existing projects such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

Impact of Early Innovation Advice on Medical Advances

Our innovation advice has proven instrumental in the development of novel medical radionuclides—radioactive substances used in diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications. The regulatory study we engaged in is aiding investment in pioneering treatments, such as lead-212 generators that could enhance cutting-edge cancer care.

Moreover, regulatory sandboxing allows for the controlled testing of new concepts. In collaboration with the ONR, our sandboxes have investigated the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning within the nuclear sector, including innovations in radioactive waste management. Our efforts are instrumental in diminishing uncertainty by integrating safety, security, and environmental protection from the outset of design and development.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Nuclear Regulation and Innovation

As we progress, we encourage innovators, operators, and regulators to pose the most pressing questions regarding nuclear advancements. By collaborating early and basing actions on evidence, we can transition new technologies and concepts in the nuclear sector from mere potential to safe and sustainable reality.

For further inquiries, please contact us at nuclear@environment-agency.gov.uk.

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