P21 - Rolls Royce Engineering plc (RR) | United Kingdom

Rolls-Royce, RR, is a global company providing highly-efficient integrated power & propulsion solutions. Our power systems are predominantly used in aerospace, marine, energy and off-highway applications. We are one of the world’s leading producers of aero-engines for large civil aircraft and corporate jets. We are the second largest provider of defence aero-engines in the world. RR is well established in the marine sector, where we design vessels and integrate power systems. We have a growing presence in civil nuclear power, drawing on our skills and experience of over 50 years in powering nuclear submarines. Our MTU brand is world-renowned in high-speed diesel engine powering applications as diverse as rail locomotives and luxury yachts. Our investment in technology and skilled people is vital for a company that has advanced engineering at its core. Ultimately, it delivers the differentiated, high-technology products that attract our customers. We also have a global network of 31 University Technology Centres, engaging over 700 academics in fundamental research into cutting-edge technologies. For some 50 years, RR has been helping Naval and commercial nuclear utility customers to maximise plant operation and safely extend plant lifetimes. Our strength is built upon trusted partnerships with customers. Our extensive experience is built on safety, reliability and world-class engineering and manufacturing. Throughout the lifetime of a nuclear plant, ensuring plant safety and availability, as well as maximising output is critical for the long-term success of utility operators. At RR, our focus is on providing utility customers with integrated, long-term support services across the reactor lifecycle, covering safety, licensing and environmental activities; component design, manufacture and supply; in-service support and plant life extension; as well as nuclear instrumentation, control and safety systems.

Our current research portfolio within the area of core materials currently covers the effect of processing and irradiation on conventional cladding and fuel behaviour in service; the influence of hydrogen and delayed hydride cracking on Zr alloys; pellet-cladding interaction and other fuel failure mechanisms, all focusing on enhancing support to current PWR technologies. Research interests in future technologies include accident-tolerant fuel cladding (including SiC/SiC and MAX phases), compatible fuels, and novel manufacturing techniques, such as additive layer manufacturing. The current RR reactor materials research portfolio is supported through collaborations with the NNL, Amec Foster Wheeler, UoM, ICL, and U Surrey. Within IL TROVATORE, RR will act as an industrial project partner, providing expertise and guidance drawn from experiences in developing and deploying high-value technology products in a wide range of engineering sectors (WP11).