A major European nuclear technology company sought a nuclear technology strategy to evaluate two opportunities beyond conventional power generation: energy storage alongside nuclear assets and applications of nuclear technology in space.
Changing electricity demand and the growth of renewable generation have increased the need for flexibility. Energy storage could help nuclear assets respond to that need while maintaining steady output. At the same time, the developing nuclear space sector offers potential roles for established suppliers with relevant technical and industrial capabilities.
Damona examined both opportunities through five connected areas:
- Energy storage technologies: Reviewed storage options beyond batteries, pumped hydro and hydrogen, assessing their potential integration with nuclear assets and the technical considerations that could affect deployment.
- Nuclear energy storage use cases: Identified where storage could add value for existing plants, SMRs and advanced reactors, including microgrids and industrial sites with changing power requirements.
- Development requirements: Assessed which storage segments merited further attention and the capabilities and indicative R&D investment needed to begin developing selected solutions internally.
- Nuclear space ecosystem: Mapped relevant technologies and organisations across the sector, distinguishing potential customers, partners, suppliers and competitors.
- Space market positioning: Examined where the company’s existing nuclear expertise could create value within the space technology value chain and which positions warranted further exploration.
The nuclear technology strategy brought the two workstreams into a shared framework for decision-making. It gave the company a basis for prioritising development opportunities, assessing potential partnerships and deciding where to direct further investment.
