Nuclear Engineering at UNSW. Graham Davies

Transcription

1 Nuclear Engineering at UNSW Graham Davies

2 Energy Portfolio at UNSW Energy research and education is a cornerstone of UNSW activity. Oil and gas engineering Electrical power networks and technologies Mining: operations, safety, and sustainability Wind and photovoltaic generation Energy economics and markets Energy in transportation

3 Energy Australian Energy Research Institute (AERI) Molecular Understanding and Design Materials Discovery Technology Development System Optimisation and Assessment Market Integrates research across 8 of the 9 Faculties at UNSW Renewable Energy Technologies Fuels for a Cleaner Environment Energy Efficient Technologies Distributed Energy Systems Economic, Social and Regulatory Policy

4 Tyree Energy Technologies Building

5 Tyree Energy Technologies Building

6 Energy Major Engineering participants in AERI Five Research Centres ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Silicon Photovoltaics and Photonics ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets CRC for CO2 Sequestration CRC for Low Carbon Living Seven Schools with major inputs Chemical, Electrical, Photovoltaics, Petroleum, Mechanical, Computer Science & Mining

7 Why establish a Nuclear Education Programme at UNSW? A nuclear education programme fills a gap in UNSW s energy portfolio UNSW has existing research and teaching strengths in related areas Uranium mining and extraction Materials engineering and modelling Power systems Energy markets and economics Waste management Biomedical applications Access new income streams teaching, training, research Develop strategic international relationships in readiness for the future Educate and inform, from an independent stand-point Leverage excellent existing links with ANSTO

8 The Global Need Where is the pull? Global need for nuclear engineers: an ageing workforce and longterm engineering commitments New nuclear: China, India, SE Asia, Turkey Life cycle management: existing Generation II plant National needs: non-proliferation and monitoring Support of ANSTO activities: materials, life sciences, minerals, environment Global need for low-carbon energy sources

9 Main Challenges Students recruitment How to inspire local students to undertake a nuclear degree? How do we demonstrate to overseas students that we are credible? Funding sustainability of the programme Fee income from students on courses Viable, appropriately funded research programmes Staff recruitment A favourable funding environment attracts the best academics Need to demonstrate evidence of long-term sustainability

10 International Collaboration Our programme will tap into leading international centres. Other Regional Experts Contributions from international experts is fundamental to UNSW providing a high-quality degree. Partner in Proposed Centre for Doctoral Training Programme, EPSRC

11 Proposed Masters Degree Programme Aim: broad-based approach, not only power generation Themes: mining, electrical power, energy economics, materials, medical Broad-based approach allows graduate access from most engineering disciplines One and two-year Masters programmes available Core Nuclear topics delivered in block mode Fundamentals of nuclear engineering Reactor physics and operation Fuel cycle, waste and decommissioning Safety, security and safeguards Nuclear engineering research project (9-12 months)

12 Proposed Masters Degree Programme Example Elective Classes: Electrical Industry Operation Nuclear Reactors for Power Generation Accelerators and Applications for Materials Characterisation Sustainable electrical energy technology assessment Fundamentals of Uranium mining Medical isotopes, preparation and usage

13 Timelines August 2013 October 2013 Approval of Masters plan and new courses Advertise course Invite Scholarship applications Offer a Nuclear Engineering subject to final year engineers Start recruitment process for Masters programme November 2013 Scholarship interviews February 2014 First cohort commences Masters programme March 2014 Review of recruitment options Advertise 2015 course and Scholarships Recruit PhD students

14 What is on the research agenda? Initial tri-partite Research Programme: UNSW, ANSTO and Imperial College Focus on materials engineering and power systems Future research prospects at UNSW Reactor design, simulation, control and sustainment Economics and power system integration Radiation-hardened, high-temperature electronics and sensors Uranium mining techniques and sustainability challenges Biomedical applications Fault-tolerant electrical systems

15 Position after 3 years A viable Nuclear Engineering Masters programme with 20+ students per annum, part-funded by industry through a subscription mechanism A government/industry-funded Scholarship scheme Over 3 years, 120+ undergraduate engineering students having completed final year Nuclear Engineering elective Establishment of long-term collaborative activity with globallyrecognised nuclear centres at ANSTO and Imperial College, London Reciprocal teaching arrangements with Imperial College on uranium mining and processing Joint PhD supervision between Imperial and UNSW

16 Other HR needs? Vocational courses: technician training Articulate with global education and training frameworks e.g. Nuclear Energy Agency Establish a Nuclear Co-op of Australian organisations willing to fund education/research programmes Nuclear Education and Training: From Concern to Capability, OECD 2012

17 Thank you