Thursday 27 November 2025

As founder of the Energy Systems Nexus, United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) has played a key role in the creation of an interactive StoryMap that explores the UK’s energy assets and their potential for cogeneration. The StoryMap identifies opportunities for nuclear to help decarbonise some of the UK’s hardest-to-abate industries. 

Enabling nuclear outcomes for government 

This work exemplifies UKNNL’s mission to enable and deliver nuclear outcomes for government, and to support growth of the UK nuclear sector. By demonstrating how nuclear power can provide continuous, low-carbon heat for industrial processes, we’re showcasing the vital role our expertise plays in making Britain a clean energy superpower. 

The StoryMap reveals how nuclear-generated heat could decarbonise industrial processes requiring temperatures between 300-900°C, such as paper mills and chemical industries. For the highest temperature processes above 900°C – used in glass manufacturing and metal industries – the analysis shows how continuous heat from nuclear power stations could provide a foundation, with low-carbon hydrogen supplying additional heat to reach peak temperatures. 

This aligns directly with the government’s goal to secure home-grown energy, protect billpayers, and accelerate the UK to net zero. As the Plan for Change emphasises, we must harness cutting-edge technology and ensure the public enjoy the full benefits of home-grown clean power – exactly what this collaborative research enables. 

Leading collaboration across sectors 

The StoryMap was produced by the Energy Systems Nexus, a groundbreaking project founded and initiated by UKNNL and delivered by Energy Systems Catapult. It is an industry-funded, industry-led Net Zero collaboration initiative that also includes E.ON and Amazon. 

Through our key role as founder of the Energy Systems Nexus, we are delivering on our mission to support the UK nuclear sector to accelerate R&D and deploy new technology. The Nexus takes a whole systems approach to delivering robust evidence and cutting-edge analysis for the energy sector, bringing together industry professionals, world-leading experts, and key organisations to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy whilst sharing cost, risk, and learnings. 

Critically, the Nexus provides the link between analysis and action by supporting decision makers across the energy sector through whole system research and development to maximise opportunities and address challenges that could delay us getting to Net Zero. 

Understanding the challenge 

Around 14% of the UK’s total emissions come from industrial processes requiring high temperatures. Currently, this heat is typically produced by burning fossil fuels. However, many of these industries require temperatures that are challenging to produce using electricity with current technology, making them among the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. 

By grouping industrial sites and energy generation assets on an interactive map, the StoryMap helps identify where cross-sector links could be formed. The research categorises industrial processes into three temperature ranges: 

• Up to 300°C (pharmaceuticals, food and drink): Well-suited to electrification through heat pumps 

• 300-900°C (paper mills, chemical industries): Viable for heat offtake from nuclear power stations 

• Above 900°C (glass manufacturing, metal industries): Could use nuclear heat as a foundation, with low-carbon hydrogen providing additional temperature boost 

Making data accessible 

Rather than producing a traditional static report, the team chose an interactive, map-based format to make spatial data more accessible and engaging. The StoryMap has information for users at all levels, from guiding people through the main takeaways to more in-depth data for specific sites. 

Key features include: 

• Major energy generation assets with capacity and operator details 

• Large industrial sites with carbon emissions data 

• Hydrogen generation and storage assets, including potential storage locations 

Supporting UK industry and driving prosperity 

This work demonstrates UKNNL’s commitment to championing new ideas and finding solutions to meet sector challenges. By providing evidence-based analysis of where nuclear energy can support industrial decarbonisation, we’re helping to unlock investment and create opportunities for British manufacturing and innovation – driving nuclear prosperity across the country. 

Take a look at the StoryMap here.