Event Details

Space Weather as a Nuclear Industry Hazard: How can we build resilience to extreme events? by Dr Joseph Eggington (EDF R&D UK)

Abstract

Severe space weather is increasingly recognised as a key hazard for the UK energy sector, reflected by its position high on the National Risk Register. Phenomena originating on the Sun can pose a risk to critical ground infrastructure such as nuclear power plants (NPPs) via geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) and ground level enhancements (GLEs). As the UK’s biggest generator of zero-carbon electricity, EDF maintains a large fleet of operational NPPs and is investing heavily in the future of the UK nuclear industry, with two more NPPs in building/planning phase over next decade. To ensure the resilience of the nuclear fleet, regulators advise considering extreme space weather scenarios with return periods of up to 10,000 years, similar to other natural hazards. To address this challenge, EDF R&D UK carries out research dedicated to understanding the risks of extreme space weather to EDF’s assets in the UK and internationally. In this seminar I will introduce the relevant phenomena and present some highlights from our portfolio of space weather research topics, including modelling GICs in the UK and French power grids, characterising extreme GLEs, and novel use of extreme value theory to produce reliable return level estimates. I will also discuss ongoing engagements between academia, industry, and government representatives as part of a wider national effort to build space weather resilience.

For Teams link scan QR code below or contact n.rogers1@lancaster.ac.uk