From 31 March to 4 April 2025, the NEA organised a workshop jointly with Sellafield Ltd that aimed to identify practices and policies supporting cutting-edge technologies that can improve safety and efficiency in the nuclear back-end.
Entitled The Role of Innovation in the Nuclear Back-End: Harnessing Robotics and Advanced Technologies for Safer, More Efficient Activities, the event was held in Cumbria, United Kingdom, and brought together local and international experts to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies for back-end nuclear operations.
Throughout the week, speakers showcased the operational benefits of automation, robotics, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) in tackling challenges related to ageing facilities, waste management, and the decommissioning of complex and legacy sites. These solutions may also help bolster public confidence and attract young professionals to the field – key to the future of nuclear energy.
The event opened with an overview of international experiences before delving into the various aspects of nuclear back-end management, from characterisation and sampling to decontamination and dismantling. The programme featured two panel discussions – one on implementation challenges and another on cybersecurity and AI applications – where experts engaged with the audience on possible risks, practical solutions, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the future of nuclear operations. On the last day, the workshop concluded with a focus on technologies for the back-end of small modular reactors (SMRs) and other advanced reactors, culminating in a discussion of initiatives that foster innovation.
Participants had the opportunity to visit the Sellafield nuclear site, the Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) and the Sellafield Engineering Centre of Excellence, where they observed test environments, robotic arms, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in action.
A proceedings report summarising the event and its main outcomes will be made publicly available to provide a record of the discussions shared.
The workshop was a joint initiative of the NEA Expert Group on the Application of Robotics and Remote Systems in the Nuclear Back-End (EGRRS) and the Working Party on Technical, Environmental and Safety Aspects of Decommissioning and Legacy Management (WPTES), who collaborated to develop a programme reflecting their shared interests.
