Game Changers celebrates 10 years of nuclear innovation

An innovative programme to help tackle some of the world’s most complex nuclear decommissioning challenges is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Game Changers was set up in 2016. Sponsored by Sellafield Ltd and developed and delivered by Penrith-based firm FIS360, it has introduced fresh thinking from diverse industries to help clean up the West Cumbrian nuclear site and beyond.

It began with just two challenges to be overcome at the nuclear complex. A decade later, it has assessed over 1,000 applications, supported over 300 feasibility studies, 125-plus proof-of-concept projects and leveraged external funding worth £18.5 million.

It is estimated it has saved over £1 billion in decommissioning costs.

Frank Allison, chief executive of FIS360, said it began with conversations with Sellafield Ltd, which was looking for innovation in tackling challenges at the site.

His background working with the oil and gas industry and power companies on similar schemes, plus his work with Innovus, which was an incubator for innovation across all industries in Cumbria, made FIS360 ideally placed to become the independent facilitator for Game Changers.

He said: “We had active relationships across all sectors and academia – and that’s what Sellafield was looking for. Sellafield Ltd’s part in this, the culture change and embracing expertise from outside the industry over the last 10 years cannot be underplayed.”

From a gamma camera which was originally developed for satellites, then medicine before being adapted for the nuclear industry to an intelligent system which identifies cracks in water systems, companies involved in Game Changers said without it, their technology would never have made it into the nuclear industry.

Frank said: “We are independent, which means we’re not trying to sell Sellafield anything – our aim is to connect challenge makers with the firms with the solutions and then see those solutions implemented – that’s success for us.

“Game Changers allows Sellafield Ltd and the wider Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate to connect with a potential 100,000 firms with solutions.

“And it’s not the same firms. We target the companies who have the possible solutions, it’s a tailored approach.”

Robin Ibbotson, Sellafield Ltd chief technology officer, said:   “Game Changers takes our challenges beyond the nuclear industry.

“It connects us with organisations of all sizes and with partners from around the world. Over the last decade, that approach has produced solutions we would never have found on our own.

“The programme is helping us deliver safer, faster, and more cost-effective operations. And we’re only at the beginning. Sellafield still has decades of important work ahead.

“With the right partners, we can solve any challenge. That’s why we’ll keep sharing our problems, finding new ideas, and working together to deliver our mission faster.”

A celebration event was held at Energus in Lillyhall, near Workington, yesterday Wednesday September 9.

Over the past decade, Frank said he was most proud of the eco-system that Game Changers had created.

He added: “It’s the power of that eco-system. It’s virtual so is not tied to one place. It’s good for UK plc too – we are in Germany, Canada, Norway – highlighting what we do.”

Game Changers celebrates 10 years of nuclear innovation – cumbriacrack.com