The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, and The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband, visited Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) in Waterbeach, Cambridge on 9 June to see the company’s Ebflow technology in action.
The visit saw the Ministers learn more about CVE’s Ebflow electron beam welding technology, which has the potential to transform manufacturing timelines and costs for the UK’s next-generation nuclear power infrastructure.
The visit came ahead of the Government announcing investments in Sizewell C and the results of its’ Great British Nuclear (GBN) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition – an initiative to select and support the deployment of SMR reactors across the UK. SMRs have a critical role to play in the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy. Smaller than conventional nuclear power station reactors, SMRs can be constructed in modular units, allowing for phased construction and deployment, potentially reducing costs and construction time.
Ebflow, an advanced electron beam (EB) welding technology, developed by the team at CVE, is proven to transform the speed at which nuclear pressure vessels can be built. In a trial conducted by Sheffield Forgemasters (announced in early 2024), Ebflow cut the time needed to weld a demonstrator vessel for an SMR from more than a year to less than 24 hours.
On site at CVE, the Chancellor and Mr Miliband initiated an Ebflow test weld, while speaking to CVE staff about the development of the technology.
"We were honoured to welcome The Chancellor and Mr Miliband to our premises to learn more about our electron beam welding capabilities. Ebflow was developed to enable major cost savings and efficiencies across aerospace, automotive, defence and renewable energy welding projects," said Bob Nicolson, MD of Cambridge Vacuum Engineering.
"In the nuclear sector, Ebflow has the potential to reshape the future of reactor production, enabling the fast, efficient production of core components needed to support the country’s transition to a low carbon economy and build a more resilient and flexible energy system. We welcome the Government’s decision to invest in Sizewell C and the appointment of Rolls-Royce SMR as preferred bidder to build the country’s first small modular reactors.”
For more information:
www.camvaceng.com or www.ebflow.com
