ISAS has joined the South West Nuclear Hub as an Applied Research Member

The Institute of Applied Sciences and Simulation for Low Carbon Energy (ISAS) has joined the South West Nuclear Hub as an Applied Research member

The Institute of Applied Sciences and Simulation for Low Carbon Energy (ISAS), which sits within The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), is an institute dedicated to achieving low-carbon energy solutions, demonstrating historic active participation in the nuclear industry through its impressive research and patent output.

As a French public government-funded organisation, the CEA is a stakeholder in national alliances of universities and industry partners, coordinating research and innovation in four key areas. These include security and defence, technology research for industry, health science technology and low carbon energies. ISAS, as part of CEA’s Directorate of Energy (DES), supports France’s mission for reducing its carbon emissions through nuclear and renewable energy solutions.

With this membership, ISAS will be further contributing its existing network of collaborators [...] and more to solidifying its place in the South West as a key nuclear and low-carbon energy innovator

The CEA has pre-existing, strong connections with nuclear in the South West, many of which are further strengthened by this new partnership with the South West Nuclear Hub (SWNH). CEA act as a key research and innovation partner for EDF Energy (also a SWNH Applied Research Member) and have contributed research and technology to the Hinkley Point C project. This commitment to the South West builds on an extensive establishment of nine research centres and five dedicated regions across France.  

The CEA also demonstrates longstanding collaborations with UK partners, and notably sit on the Technical Advisory Board for the EPSRC-funded ‘SINDRI Prosperity Partnership’, which the University of Bristol – and other UK academic institutions – collaborate on. ISAS specifically is collaborating on two research projects with The University of Bristol in the fields of laser decontamination, high temperature metals and residual stress.

Pierre-Yves Thro, Head of the valorisation and communication unit of ISAS at CEA has commented on solidifying this existing partnership:

“ISAS is honoured and delighted to have joined the South West Nuclear Hub consortium to strengthen and deepen its collaborations with the nuclear sector in England, and with long lasting partners such as the University of Bristol.

For us, at ISAS, it is an important step forward towards more research and innovation in this critical sector, for a safer, greener and affordable energy for every citizen of our two countries.

We really look forward to the numerous and fruitful collaborations this agreement will bring!”

With this membership, ISAS will be further contributing its existing network of collaborators, industrial partners, PhD students and more to solidifying its place in the South West as a key nuclear and low-carbon energy innovator.

Professor of Structural Integrity Mahmoud Mostafavi from the University of Bristol said:

“We are delighted to further expand South West Nuclear Hub membership beyond UK shores, and especially with one of our closest partners CEA, with whom we have we a long history of collaborations.

Formalising our relationship with ISAS, and by extension CEA, demonstrates our commitment to high quality international research and development in support of UK industry. CEA’s work in the UK goes beyond Hinkley Point C and we are keen to harness the potential common research objectives beyond these established projects.”

In February 2023 it was announced that CEA has continued to secure its position as one of France’s leading research organisations by appearing in Clarivate’s Top 100 Global Innovators list for the 11^th year.

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South West Nuclear Hub Applied Research Membership