Co-generation in the early days of nuclear power: Part 2: Metal production

The UK’s 2050 net zero target will require deep decarbonisation of all areas of the economy which provides tremendous opportunities for nuclear technology.

The smelting and re-melting of metals accounts for a considerable portion of the world’s primary energy consumption and is responsible for almost 30% of industrial CO2 emissions. Nuclear power and hydrogen could play a key role in reducing this.

Here the history of nuclear metal production in the UK is presented using case studies including the “atomic” smelters of the 1960s and the efforts of the European Nuclear Steelmaking Club. The precedent set by these programmes provides useful lessons that should guide the future application of nuclear technology to metal production.