Likelihood and impact of severe space weather events on the resilience of nuclear power and safeguards monitoring.

Lead Research Organisation: University of Manchester
Department Name: Engineering and Physical Sciences

Abstract

The project aim is to increase the capability and performance of ground level neutron monitors in differentiating between neutrons of differing origin. Thus, reducing the chances of false-positive criticality alarms at nuclear licensed sites handling fissile materials and improving the resilience of nuclear power stations and power grids to geomagnetically inducted currents.
The benefits of this research are twofold. A robust monitoring system for neutron detection that could reduce false positive criticality alarms at nuclear sites caused by space weather events, and providing rapid and accurate data on space weather which may damage critical infrastructure at the nuclear site (e.g., power supplies).

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/S022295/1 01/04/2019 30/09/2027
2908918 Studentship EP/S022295/1 30/09/2027 30/09/2027 Caroline Smith