EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

£2.5bn for prototype fusion plant

The Government has announced a record £2.5bn investment in fusion energy, which includes support for a new prototype fusion energy plant in Nottinghamshire. The prototype plant, known as STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production), will be built at the site of the former West Burton A coal power station near Retford and Gainsborough. The project’s delivery is expected to create over 10,000 jobs.

A groundbreaking and world-first scientific endeavour, STEP works by combining hydrogen gases, deuterium and tritium, which are heated to over 150 million degrees Celsius and confined within a powerful magnetic field. The energy produced can be used to create steam and turn a turbine, ultimately generating electricity.

More information https://step.ukaea.uk/

Transforming Wind Turbine Repairs

A research collaboration between Renewable Parts Ltd (RPL), SSE Renewables and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has demonstrated the potential to remanufacture critical onshore wind turbine components – restoring worn or damaged parts to their original specification or better. The outcomes could drastically cut waste, reduce carbon emissions and extend part life.

Using additive manufacturing, analysis and inspection techniques, the team successfully restored damaged pinion shafts from a wind turbine yaw gearbox, a key component that keeps turbines facing into the wind to maximise energy capture. Early trials showed that remanufactured parts could perform to original specifications following machining and NDT, saving up to 84 kg of CO2e per remanufactured component.

More information www.nmis.scot

Boost For NP Aerospace

NatWest is supporting Coventry-based military armour and vehicle support specialist NP Aerospace with a multi-million funding package to grow its global business. The funding facility, which includes a trade finance facility backed by UK Export Finance and capital investment facilities from Lombard, will enable NP Aerospace to expand its exporting capabilities. NatWest and Lombard have been supporting NP Aerospace with facilities and financial products since 2021. The business, which now expects to create new jobs, has operated in Coventry for almost 100 years and employs 380 people at its global facilities.

More information www.npaerospace.com

Funding for STEM events

Thousands of underrepresented UK schoolchildren have been given access to high-quality STEM experiences through Drax Foundation funding, in partnership with EngineeringUK. Funding for Engineering UK’s ‘Big Bang at School’ bursaries has now enabled 10 priority schools to host their own STEM events – bringing the magic of the Big Bang to the classroom with an inspiring day of activities. The bursaries, supported by £15,000 of matched funding, gave 3088 pupils the opportunity to engage in STEM activities. The scheme caters to schools serving youngsters underrepresented in the engineering workforce.

More information www.drax.com

Flow expands into fabrication solutions

Flow International Corp, a global developer and manufacturer of high-pressure waterjet cutting systems, is expanding its manufacturing solutions with the launch of Flow Fabrication – a new division dedicated to providing complete metal fabrication solutions. Of particular note, the expansion brings laser cutting and press brakes into Flow’s portfolio. The new product line-up will be officially unveiled at the Fabtech exhibition in Chicago this September, where attendees can see live demonstrations and learn how Flow’s expanded technology portfolio can enhance their manufacturing processes.

More information www.flowwaterjet.com