During the hottest days of the year so far, I was deep in networking and learning with a focus on sustainable manufacturing.
I started with a fascinating couple of days at the AMTecH spring forum, catching up with the latest in advanced manufacturing for the nuclear sector.
AMTecH is an evolving network of like-minded UK-based manufacturers and research organisations, headed by my former colleague Steve Lawler and his team at Frazer-Nash Consulting. This second forum meeting, at the splended Manchester Hall, focused on the engineering challenges of nuclear power – both fission and fusion.
Many of the speakers discussed issues around sustainability – how can we reduce emissions and material waste in manufacturing, and throughout the life of these huge infrastructure projects?
While nuclear fission (traditional atomic power, as pioneered by the UK in the 1950s) remains controversial in green circles, there is a growing awareness that it is a necesssary part a decarbonised energy system which can be achieved by 2050. Fusion meanwhile holds the promise of effectively unlimited low-carbon power in the second half of the century.
Challenges and innovations
Here are five topics which particularly grabbed my attention at the forum:
- Fusion power stations will need an awesome mix of materials to safely contain a plasma at 10 times the temperature of the sun. While the hottest plasma will be magnetically contained and should never touch the physical tokamak chamber, each reactor will use thousands of tonnes of speciality steels which can survive up to 650 degrees C in a very hostile environment. The steel needs to be extremely pure in its chemical make-up, but researchers have demonstrated that it can be made in bulk from steel scrap using electric arc furnaces of the kind intended for Scunthorpe and Port Talbot. It’s an opportunity for the UK to regain a global lead in steel technology – something dear to my heart as a Sheffield lad.
- Applying circular economy principles and systems thinking to manufacturing can significantly reduce environmental costs. It can also open up new recurring revenues and operating models, with collaborative working between companies creating emergent properties and value which can’t be achieved by traditional competition-focused businesses. Ironically, one of the most advanced sectors here is Formula One, where standardisation of engine design and system interfaces have reduced development costs by a third.
- Companies bringing novel materials to market face a host of commercial challenges alongside the technical hurdles of moving from the laboratory to the real world. One speaker highlighted brand awareness and marketing communications as key challenges for new technology businesses – again, something close to my heart!
- Electron beam welding is an area which I dealt with a lot at the Nuclear AMRC, and this was a great opportunity to catch up with the latest developments from some former collaborators. Ebeam can significantly reduce the welding time for large fabrications including nuclear pressure vessels and wind turbine towers, which means big savings in energy consumption as well improved productivity. For the piles for giant offshore wind turbine, it can save around 10 tonnes of CO2 per fabrication. Anything that reduces the carbon intensity of manufacturing low-carbon power systems is very welcome.
- Most engineering and manufacturing sectors are facing severe challenges in skills and recruitment. Part of the solution is to encourage more young people to study in relevant areas, and see a rewarding career in both the personal and financial sense. Engineering in general – and nuclear in particular – doesn’t always have the best image among environmentally-minded people, but is essential for tackling the climate crisis. Trying to improve that perception is something I’m involved with through the CIPR STEM group.
Progress over perfection
Circular economy issues for manufacturers also came up the next day, when I joined a webinar with manufacturing consultancy Evanall. Professor Steve Evans shared his insight into effective sustainability strategy across the manufacturing sector, with examples from industries ranging from automotive to sugar refining.
Manufacturing companies are often ill-served by regular sustainability consultants, he noted. In a factory with dozens or hundreds of separate machines and operations, it’s not enough to just switch out the old lighting for LEDs – you need to understand the specific consumption of each part of your production. Companies in the chemicals sector, meanwhile, may need to rethink their entire operations to become truly sustainable, moving to bioprocessing rather than depending on petrochemical feedstocks.
But meaningful progress is always preferable to long-term perfection, and your sustainability strategy should include quick wins which deliver efficiency and cost savings.
Network effects
I then headed across to sunny Leeds for a double dose of networking, starting with the first meeting of the Northern Comms Collective. This is an ambitious new initiative to share experience and support among PR professionals across the North of England, with an emphasis on removing the barriers to professional development.
It was a fun and informal get-together, with icebreakers including introduce-yourself sheets as seen at the top of this blog. For some reason, I didn’t win the prize for best self portrait.
Then, a short hop to Greentech Gathering, the ever-growing network for the regional climate tech community. As ever, it’s great to meet so many sustainability-minded entrepreneurs and professionals, each bringing their own perspective and expertise to a common challenge.
It was also fascinating to learn more about the hidden carbon costs of software and websites. The IT sector now generates more emissions globally than aviation. That’s maybe partly due to IT swallowing up other areas of activity, but energy consumption is set for further massive increases thanks to the rise of AI services of often questionable value. From conversations I had at the Comms Collective, I think more people are starting to realise the limitations of the much-hyped generative platforms.
Both events were great opportunities to meet like-minded professionals, find common ground, and share knowledge and insight – as well as a few jokes at the expense of common woes. As with strategic sustainability, it’s about taking small steps towards long-term benefits.