Advanced Nuclear Deployment in Marine Environments

An Interview with Mark Tipping, Global Power to X Director, Marine and Offshore at Lloyd's Register

Introduction

In a significant leap towards sustainable and reliable energy sources in the marine and offshore industries, advanced nuclear deployment is emerging as a promising solution. To delve deeper into this innovative approach, we spoke with Mark Tipping, the Global Power to X Director, Marine and Offshore at Lloyd's Register (LR). Mark, a chartered engineer with over 25 years of experience in novel maritime offshore projects, has been instrumental in pioneering risk-based inspection and the adoption of remote systems for classification verification purposes. Notably, he served as LR’s engineering manager for the Prelude FLNG and has been pivotal in positioning LR as a key player in the nuclear marine and offshore sectors

Q&A with Mark Tipping

Can you give a brief introduction of yourself?

I am a chartered engineer who has been working in maritime and offshore roles since 2002. I have over 25 years of experience in novel maritime offshore projects, including notable work on the Prelude FLNG as LR's engineering manager. I've played a crucial role in implementing risk-based inspection for floating assets under classification regimes and the adoption of remote systems, such as digital twins, for classification and verification. As the Power to X Director, I'm focused on establishing LR as a prominent nuclear player in the marine and offshore industries, leveraging our experience in providing assurance to the UK's nuclear submarine fleet. Additionally, I recently joined the Board of NEMO (Nuclear Energy Maritime Organisation - NGO) as a Director, complementing my primary role at LR.

Can you provide some history of the nuclear and offshore markets coming together?

The offshore markets arechallenged for clean energywith electrification due to the need for highly reliable energy sources capable of generating substantial power, from small facilities of 5MW to very large ones of 200MW, such as FPSOs. These facilitiescan belocated up to 200km offshore, making subsea renewable grid connections either impossible or prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. For example, while the North Sea has explored connecting to existing renewables and subsea cables, achieving the necessary reliability and supply level at an affordable price remains challenging.

This is where nuclear energy comes in. Unlike renewables, nuclear power is highly reliable and energy-dense, with the added benefit of providing high-grade process heat—a crucial requirement for production facilities. With over 700 reactors deployed at sea, primarily for military purposes, the deployment of nuclear in maritime environments is more of an evolution than a revolution. Generation IV reactors, with their passive safety features, present a compelling technical case. The economics are increasingly favourable, and we are confident in the viability of this approach.

What are the major regulatory challenges?

Regulation is the primary challenge, but it is not insurmountable. Offshore regulators are highly knowledgeable about the offshore sector, while organisations like LR, which acts as a proxy regulator in the marine and offshore industries, have direct nuclear experience. LR's current form as a provider of assurance services to the UK Royal Navy's nuclear submarine fleet is a prime example. By collaborating with various stakeholders, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we are working to shape what regulation might look like for nuclear deployment in maritime environments.

What excites you most about Generation IV reactor deployment in a marine environment?

Generation IV reactors have the potential to revolutionise not just zero-emissions hydrocarbon extraction but also the production of alternative fuels at scale and applications such as floating power and desalination. These reactors can unlock the ability to perform activities at scale and speed, achieving significant climate-saving impacts. It's not unrealistic to envision a floating nuclear power plant being built within 24 months and a large offshore project within five years.

What do you believe are the key hurdles to overcome?

Social license and acceptance of nuclear energy are fundamental to success, both onshore and offshore. While we are seeing a shift towards greater acceptance, this cannot be taken for granted. Projects need to earn trust with society. The key technical challenge is regulation, particularly for first-of-its-kind projects and the ability to replicate successful deployments across multiple sites.

What is your vision for the future of offshore energy systems?

My vision is to start viewing reactors like gas turbines, deploying them wherever we need scalable, dense, and reliable power. While nuclear power has traditionally been the domain of utility power generation, its value extends far beyond this. Offshore deployment models present a unique opportunity for nuclear energy to shine, offering a sustainable and reliable solution for the energy needs of the marine and offshore industries.

This article highlights the promising future of advanced nuclear deployment in marine environments, driven by experts like Mark Tipping and supported by organizations like Lloyd's Register. The integration of nuclear energy in offshore applications could be a game-changer, offering reliable, dense, and sustainable power solutions for the industry.

Deploying advanced nuclear within a marine environment will be covered in more detail @ Foresight Nuclear Live 2024 in London, November 7th.