Linking Modularity and Resilience in Infrastructure

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Civil Engineering

Abstract

A key dilemma in the construction sector is addressing the trade-off of building a certain infrastructure (e.g. a nuclear power plant) as "modular" or "stick built". This research project moves to a new assumption: the design and management of independent physical and organisational modules that, when combined, result in infrastructures (and system of infrastructures) more resilient and sustainable respect to ad-hoc designed monolithic infrastructures. Under this perspective, modularisation is not the "breaking down" of a monolithic infrastructure into ad-hoc modules but "building up" from standard modules designed ex-ante, reconfigurable infrastructures, with embedded resilience to face the uncertainty and dynamism encountered over the plant life-cycle. Considering a given output (e.g. the power plant electrical output), modularization can be defined in three forms: (1.) the creation of a monolithic plant from standard modules (e.g. turbines, pumps); (2.) the creation of a site made of small independent modular plants; and, (3) the installation of small independent modular plants at various sites. This vision deeply modifies the value of plant resilience (that it is possible to quantify with the Real Options approach), and has concrete implications in terms of "modular management".

This project not only considers modularisation in the construction phase, but also in the operations phase; not only from a physical point of view, but also from the organisational one. The development of standard "plant modules" built in mass production would allow efficiently building infrastructures that would also be possible to reconfigure/move/upgrade during their life cycle. As the life cycle of the modules different from the life of the plat/facility a "circular economy" analysis will also be considered.

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509681/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2021
1949429 Studentship EP/N509681/1 31/08/2017 30/05/2021 Benito Mignacca
 
Description The transition from traditional stick-built construction (a plant constructed in the field without extensive use of modules) to modularisation (factory fabrication, transportation, and installation on site of modules) is a key topic in energy infrastructure in general and in the nuclear sector in particular with the development of Small "Modular" nuclear Reactors (SMRs).
In the infrastructure sector, two critical variables identified are the reduction of the project cost and schedule determined by the transition from stick-built infrastructure to modularisation. The results of a literature review analysis suggested, on average, a 29% construction schedule saving and a 15% capital cost saving. The analysis of the interviews with managers that worked in offshore oil & gas projects in Norway pointed out that the shorter execution time influences the increase in costs since contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers focus on delivering on time. A significant finding is that modularisation reduces, in some instances, the risk of rework. The results suggested that having smaller modules as units that can be removed or replaced would decrease the high costs of rework and enable cost savings (Mignacca et al. 2018).
However, the transition from stick-built construction to modularisation presents several challenges, e.g. module transportation. The analysis of the interviews with experts in heavy-lifting and transporting modular projects showed that several relevant permits and procedures must be prepared before transport, respecting local regulations (e.g. load, size, delivery time, storage area). Communication during the design phase, communication during transport, special equipment, accessibility and equipment availability of the final location of the modules are the main enabling factors. Incidents and obstructions, module lifting, load and dimensions of the modules, and the weather conditions are the main challenges of module transportation.
Several takeaways for the specific case of SMRs have been identified from the previous interviews with experts and analysis of the literature. For instance, a key result of the research reveals the actual importance of vendor selection for the timely inclusion of modules, interface information and freezing critical modular parameters. Another key takeaway identified is the division of the responsibilities between the module transportation company and the client (Mignacca et al. 2019).
A systematic literature review focusing on the economics and finance of SMRs suggested that SMR investment can be attractive in some scenarios, and there is a gap in knowledge about the cost-benefit analysis of modularisation and SMR decommissioning (Mignacca and Locatelli 2020a). Furthermore, a novel and under-researched area in energy infrastructure in general (SMRs particular) is the link between modularisation and circular economy (shifting from a system in which resources are extracted, turned into products and finally discarded towards one in which resources are maintained at their highest value possible), which could improve the sustainability of energy infrastructure in general (SMRs in particular). The key idea of this approach (i.e. Modular CE) is that modular infrastructure could be made reconfigurable and extend/adapt their lifecycle by decoupling the life of the infrastructure from their modules. Modules can be designed in a way that, when a module reaches its end of life, it could be exchanged, extending the life of the infrastructure. Furthermore, when the infrastructure needs to be retired, modules that are still functioning could be used in other infrastructure. In this way, the residual lifetime of certain modules with a longer life is not wasted. Modular CE has not been investigated in energy infrastructure (Mignacca et al. 2020b).
Leveraging the results of a systematic literature review focusing on "Modular CE" in the case of modular product and modular building and discussions with experts in circular economy, the drivers (e.g. addressing the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals), enabling factors (e.g. market for second-hand modules), challenges (e.g. design and interface standardisation), advantages (e.g. reduction of construction and demolition waste), disadvantages (e.g. higher complexity) of Modular CE have been theoretically conceptualised (Mignacca et al. 2020b).
Furthermore, leveraging a case study analysis and discussions with experts in modular projects, the drivers (e.g. environmental conditions), enabling factors (e.g. availability of technology for lifting and transportation), challenges (e.g. licensing and regulation), advantages (e.g. increased productivity), and disadvantages (e.g. supply chain start-up cost) of modularisation have been identified. Finally, "Modularisation" and "Modular CE" have been compared, highlighting that Modular CE retains (in addition to its own) drivers, enabling factors, challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of modularisation. Furthermore, policies fostering "Modular CE", such as working toward standardisation, have been presented (Mignacca et al. 2020b).
Thereafter, the Modular CE strategy has been empirically investigated by interviewing nuclear and oil&gas experts, mainly based in the UK and US with international experience. Relevant enabling factors identified are the monitoring of module and component conditions, standardisation of module and component designs, and early planning. Relevant barriers are the lack of a second-hand market, economics, and regulatory challenges (Mignacca and Locatelli, 2021, accepted pending revisions).
Furthermore, the Modular CE strategy has been further investigated in the specific case of SMRs by conducting a survey involving around 100 SMR experts to identify the most relevant enabling factors and barriers for the reuse of SMR modules (Mignacca et al., 2020). According to the experts, the most relevant barriers (in are the economic feasibility, the lack of SMR design standardisation, and the lack of interface standardisation; the most relevant enabling factors are the standardisation of SMR design, the standardisation of the interface, and the political support.
In addition, a systematic literature review about the economics and finance of Molten Salt Reactors (MSR) was performed (Mignacca and Locatelli 2020b), leading to the definition of the most relevant gaps in knowledge (e.g. lack of peer-reviewed literature on MSR financing) and a future research agenda (e.g. building a prototype). Molten Salt Reactors present remarkable sustainability features; they can be designed as nuclear waste "burners" or "breeders". In the first case, MSRs have the potential to reduce nuclear waste. In the second case, MSRs could greatly extend nuclear fuel resources.
The findings associated with this award are relevant to the stakeholders involved in planning, building, operating and decommissioning complex energy infrastructures.

References

Mignacca B, Alaassar M, Locatelli G, Invernizzi DC (2018) We never built small modular reactors (SMRs), but what do we know about modularization in construction? In: International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Proceedings.

Mignacca B, Alawneh AH, Locatelli G (2019) Transportation of small modular reactor modules: What do the experts say? In: International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Proceedings.

Mignacca B, Locatelli G, Sainati T (2020a) Deeds not words: Barriers and remedies for Small Modular nuclear Reactors. Energy 206:118137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.118137

Mignacca, Locatelli G (2020a) Economics and finance of Small Modular Reactors : A systematic review and research agenda. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 118:109519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109519

Mignacca, Locatelli G (2020b) Economics and finance of Molten Salt Reactors. Prog Nucl Energy 129:103503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2020.103503

Mignacca, Locatelli G, Velenturf A (2020b) Modularisation as enabler of circular economy in energy infrastructure. Energy Policy 139:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111371

Mignacca, Locatelli G (2021) Modular circular economy in energy infrastructure projects: Enabling factors and barriers (accepted pending revisions).
Exploitation Route The final outcome of this research project is to provide a set of guidelines for the initiation and delivery of modular energy infrastructure (with a particular focus on nuclear and oil & gas sectors) considering the link between modularisation and circular economy (i.e. Modular CE). As summarised in the previous section, Modular CE could dramatically change the life-cycle of energy infrastructure, improving their sustainability, and allow addressing the Nation Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, the final outcome of this funding can be relevant and taken forward by policymakers, engineers, construction company, and anyone else is involved in the initiation and delivery of energy infrastructure.
Sectors Construction

Energy
URL https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?hl=en&pli=1&user=RQfSp6YAAAAJ
 
Description The findings associated with this award contributed to non-academic impact in three main ways: 1) Findings are included in the Policy Brief "Developing UK strategy for nuclear SMRs" (https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/169706/1/PolicyLeeds-Brief6_Nuclear-SMR.pdf), aiming to support the UK government strategy in developing Small Modular nuclear Reactors. The policy brief has been disseminated to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, HM Treasury, National Audit Office, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy, and several other parliament members, providing recommendations on the deployment of Small Modular nuclear Reactors (SMR). 2) Findings have been presented at several events with the participation of relevant companies involved in delivering energy infrastructure. These companies had the opportunity to learn about the research findings, thereby improving their best practices. 3) Findings have been considered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) both in one of their reports shaping nuclear policy (https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/PUB1911_web.pdf) and also as one of the starting points of the SMR economic appraisal framework the IAEA aims to develop.
Sector Construction,Energy,Environment,Financial Services, and Management Consultancy
Impact Types Societal

Policy & public services
 
Description Policy brief "Developing UK strategy for nuclear SMR", 2021
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
URL https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/169706/1/PolicyLeeds-Brief6_Nuclear-SMR.pdf
 
Description Major Projects Association PhD Research Grant
Amount £4,000 (GBP)
Organisation Major Projects Association 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2018 
End 07/2021
 
Description PGR and Postdoc Travel Awards School of Civil Engineering
Amount £700 (GBP)
Organisation University of Leeds 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Travel and accommodation bursary award
Amount £90 (GBP)
Organisation University of Exeter 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start  
 
Description Collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency 
Organisation International Atomic Energy Agency
Country Austria 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The research conducted thanks to this award led to the selection of Mr Benito Mignacca in the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on the economics of Small Modular nuclear Reactors (SMRs), organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA CRP (https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/new-crp-economic-appraisal-of-small-modular-reactor-smr-projects-methodologies-and-applications-i12007) is a network of worldwide experts on the economics of SMRs, aiming to develop an economic appraisal framework for SMR development and deployment. At the time of writing, the collaboration is approaching to start with the first meetings in March. Therefore, there has not been any relevant contribution yet.
Collaborator Contribution As aforementioned, at the time of writing, the collaboration is approaching to start with the first meetings in March. Therefore, there has not been relevant contributions yet.
Impact As aforementioned, at the time of writing, the collaboration is approaching to start with the first meetings in March. Therefore, there has not been any relevant output yet. The final output is envisaged to be the development of an economic appraisal framework for SMR development and deployment.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Collaboration with the Major Project Association 
Organisation Major Projects Association
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The Major Project Association (MPA) selected Mr Benito Mignacca as the Sustainability Ambassador for the University of Leeds. MPA (https://majorprojects.org/) is the leading UK organisation engaged in initiating and delivering major projects, programmes, and portfolios. The MPA Sustainability Ambassador network includes experts in sustainability initiatives from the major UK companies and academic institutions involved in the delivery of major projects. It aims to champion good practice and effective initiatives that can improve the initiation and sustainable delivery of major projects, consistently with the Net Zero commitment. By leveraging the expertise accumulated during this award, Mr Benito Mignacca is part of the group working on collecting relevant case studies to include in the MPA website as examples of successful sustainable initiatives in major projects. The case study analysis presented by Mr Benito Mignacca in the paper "Modularisation as enabler of circular economy" (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421520301270) will be included in the collection of case studies.
Collaborator Contribution The participation at the MPA Sustainability Ambassador Network allowed Mr Benito Mignacca to receive feedback about the research and learn about relevant sustainability initiatives in major projects.
Impact This collaboration's major output will be to champion good practice and effective initiatives that can improve the initiation and sustainable delivery of major projects, consistently with the Net Zero commitment. The collaboration is still active, and the major output is not achieved yet.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Blog summarising the paper "Mignacca, B., Locatelli, G., 2020. Economics and finance of Small Modular Reactors: A systematic review and research agenda" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact One of the papers associated with this award (i.e. Economics and Finance of Small Modular Reactors: A systematic review and research agenda." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 118 (2020): 109519) was summarised in the following website: https://www.engineering.com/story/small-modular-reactors-are-the-future-of-nuclear-energy-economic-aspects, reaching more than 6000 views at the time of writing. This contributed to the wide dissemination of the research associated with this award, leading the paper among the most downloaded articles of the journal for a long time.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.engineering.com/story/small-modular-reactors-are-the-future-of-nuclear-energy-economic-a...
 
Description Interview for the University of Cassino (Italian University), 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca was interviewed by the University of Cassino (Italy) about the success of his research (https://fb.watch/3SjcPTmU8B/). The video reached a wide audience, allowing the dissemination of the research results to the general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Invited guest lecture at the University of Sheffield (Online), 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Undergraduate students
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca gave a guest lecture at the University of Sheffield in 2020 (Online) about the topic of the research associated with this award. The feedback from the students was highly positive. The guest lecture is available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RhKFIs1b5E&ab_channel=VanderbiltUniversity.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RhKFIs1b5E&ab_channel=VanderbiltUniversity
 
Description Paper presentation at the 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering in Ibaraki (Japan), 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the paper "Transportation of Small Modular Reactor modules: What do the experts say" at the 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering in Ibaraki (Japan). The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Paper presentation at the 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering in London, 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the paper "We never built Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), but what do we know about modularization in construction?" at the 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering in London. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Poster presentation at the 5th School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Researcher Conference in Leeds, 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the research project associated with this award at the 6th School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Researcher Conference in Leeds. Around 60 people attended the conference, including mainly Postgraduate Researchers and other University members, but also invited members of the industry or policymakers. The presentations sparked questions and discussions, providing valuable feedback for the research associated with this award.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Presentation at the 6th School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Researcher Conference in Leeds, 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the early results of the research associated with this award at the 6th School of Civil Engineering Postgraduate Researcher Conference in Leeds. Around 60 people attended the conference, including mainly Postgraduate Researchers and other University members, but also invited members of the industry or policymakers. The presentations sparked questions and discussions, providing valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Presentation at the ARCOM (Association of Researchers in Construction Management) Large Infrastructure Project Delivery workshop in Melbourne, 2019 (online) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the early findings of the research associated with this award at the ARCOM (Association of Researchers in Construction Management) Large Infrastructure Project Delivery workshop in Melbourne. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Presentation at the Nuclear Future Seminar at the University of Exeter, 2018 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the research project associated with this award at the Nuclear Future Seminar at the University of Exeter. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed widening his network.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
 
Description Presentation at the Small Modular Reactor Construction Seminar at the University of Cambridge, 2019 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Mr Benito Mignacca presented the early findings of the research associated with this award at the Small Modular Reactor Construction Seminar at the University of Cambridge. The presentation sparked questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Speaker at the OFGEM Lunch Seminar in London (online), 2020 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The presentation's intended purpose was to present the results of the research associated with this award to OFGEM members. More the 100 professionals attended the seminar, sparking questions and discussions afterwards, thereby receiving valuable feedback for the research associated with this award. Moreover, the presentation allowed disseminating the research to a wide audience.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020