Case and Context
Urenco Netherlands (UNL) enriches uranium for CO₂-free nuclear energy. This process consumes a lot of electricity, which produces industrial residual heat. At present, this heat is discharged into the outside air (“to the crows”), while there are parties in the region – such as a hospital and housing corporations – that use natural gas for heating.
UNL aims to operate NetZero by 2030. Utilizing residual heat aligns with this sustainability ambition. It also demonstrates that a nuclear technology company actively contributes to the energy transition, both through CO₂-free electricity supply and through circular use of industrial heat. Financially, the project may not become a cash cow, but it does provide strategic value, reputational advantage, and societal impact.
Research Question
How can Urenco Netherlands make the industrial residual heat released during the enrichment process available to third parties in the region in a sustainable, legal, economic, and socially acceptable manner, in line with the NetZero ambition for 2030?
Expected Output at the End of the Day
Urenco is an international company that enriches uranium for use in nuclear power plants. They use a special centrifuge technology to enrich uranium, making it suitable as fuel for nuclear reactors. In addition to energy production, enriched uranium is also used for medical applications, such as cancer treatment. Urenco has plants in the Netherlands (Almelo), Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Urenco's main activity is uranium enrichment, which means that they concentrate uranium to a level suitable for use in nuclear reactors. This enriched uranium is then supplied to nuclear power plants around the world, which use it to generate electricity. Urenco also produces stable isotopes, which are used for medical applications such as diagnostics and therapy.
Urenco is a British-German-Dutch consortium, founded in 1970, that builds on earlier research into ultracentrifuge technology. The company plays an important role in the global energy market and contributes to the production of clean energy. In addition to its industrial activities, Urenco is also involved in local communities, for example by sponsoring sports and cultural activities and supporting educational initiatives.
