About the Network
The IET Nuclear Engineering Technical Network (NETN) is a cross-industry working group supporting the IET and its members.
The Nuclear Engineering Technical Network facilitates sharing and understanding of technical information and knowledge associated with Nuclear engineering for the benefit of IET members and the wider community. All of our events are open to the public and most are free of charge.
Our Purpose
The following core principles describe the purpose of the Nuclear Engineering Technical Network (NETN). All activities performed by the TN ultimately support these objectives.
1. Advocate for the nuclear industry within the UK technical community
2. Encourage sharing of information between nuclear licensees
3. Advise the IET on key events within the nuclear industry
4. Support IET Members working within the nuclear industry with cross-industry events thereby supporting Continuous Professional Development.
5. Engage and inspire future generations of engineers and technicians to work in the nuclear sector.
Upcoming Events
Accessible Formal Methods Webinar
26 November 2024 - 12.00pm GMT
The use of formal methods is widely acknowledged to be best possible practice for assuring the behaviour of software systems but is still thought to be inaccessible to a typical software engineer. Furthermore, often the prevailing view is that formal methods are only accessible by academics and that evidence to support certification can be difficult to obtain.
This webinar presented by Nick Tudor, Chief Executive Officer, D-RisQ Ltd will address all these issues and make the economic case for the use of accessible formal methods while also addressing limitations.
Exciting Nuclear News Updates
Rolls-Royce SMR Designs Approved
Britain’s nuclear regulators have approved early designs for small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by Rolls-Royce SMR as a first step towards significant expansion of the UK’s nuclear power capabilities.
Read the following article published by E&T for more info Small modular reactor designs approved in first step towards UK nuclear power expansion | Engineering and Technology Magazine (theiet.org)
Past Events
Engineering the Nuclear Future Conference
If you were unable to join the TN in person at our conference in London on 9 October 2024 or you since the conference you'd like to catch up with the presentations on demand, the presentations are available on the above link.
STEP: Generating Energy from Fusion Webinar
If you missed this webinar, you can catch up with it OnDemand here. Due to the popularity of the webinar our speakers didn't manage to get around to answering all the questions, however, they have since kindly done that and you can catch up with these below.
Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station - Instrumentation & Control System Architecture Webinar
This webinar can now be viewed OnDemand on IET.tv
Alternative Routes to Market with Modular Nuclear Reactors
This event has now passed, to stream the recorded webinar, visit IET.tv . You can also download below the answers from the speaker Michael Drury to the Q&A session.
How the Use of Digital Technology can Transform your Business Effectiveness
This event has now passed, to stream the recorded webinar, visit IET.tv
Meet The Team
Alan Steedman CEng MIET Chairperson
Alan has spent the last 10 years of his career employed by Sellafield Ltd working in various roles within the Engineering Design discipline both in Warrington and Cumbria. Most of Alans career has focused on engineering physical security and emergency management systems within the UK nuclear industry.
Alan was elected the Chair of the Nuclear Technical network in March 2023 with a view to reinvigorate the TN. Alan aims to help spread the message and raise awareness of the opportunities within the nuclear industry to the wider IET membership.
Phil Gilders CEng MIET Vice Chairperson
Phil is the IET Discipline Chair for EDF Energy, and have worked in the nuclear industry for 18 years, with the majority of my experience focused on C&I within the UK’s operating nuclear fleet. During my career I have particularly focused on reactor protection systems, management of ageing and obsolescence and the qualification of smart devices to meet nuclear safety duties.
I believe that the TN can perform a vital role in supporting the technical community, helping them understand the importance of the nuclear industry, the challenges which we face, and the opportunities which are available within the UK and around the world.
Ian Belger CEng FIET
Ian has worked in the Nuclear Industry for most of his working life and has held various roles in both the Design and Operational environments for Sellafield Ltd since 1989. Ian is now working for Jacobs Engineering as a part-time design consultant, and represent them on this Nuclear TN.
The TN can be an important voice for the wide nuclear industry in the UK. Ian has a history of involvement with the TN, and with the IET itself, so aims to bring experience and enthusiasm to the group.
To find out more about Ian's Engineering Journey, please take a few minutes to read the following insightful blog.
Will Davies
Will is the instrumentation and control architect for the SPARC project at Commonwealth Fusion Systems and is responsible for the integrated design and realisation of (almost) everything that is measured or controlled in the SPARC device and surrounding facility.
Will has been at CFS since July 2021 and prior to that he led I&C design for the ITER tritium plant - probably the largest such plant in the world - as well as being responsible for integration of local and central I&C systems across the facility.
Will’s career started with British Energy (latterly EDF Energy) in Barnwood, Gloucester, on their graduate training scheme, and subsequently, he led safety-critical I&C work for the fuel route systems of Hartlepool and Heysham 1 power stations through the transition to EDF Energy.
Prior to that Will grew up as a sheep farmer in the Yorkshire Dales and studied computer systems and software engineering at the University of York.
Barry Brooks
Barry read Electrical Engineering at Imperial College, sponsored by the Royal Navy.
Barry is a past president of the IET and has sat on both the Board of Trustees and Council for a number of years. He established the Nuclear Technical Network and is a CEng / IEng / FIET assessor and interviewer. Barry is a strong advocate for small civil nuclear reactors and clean hydrogen as alternatives to fossil fuels.
Paul Stirling
Paul is a chartered member of the IET and his current role is a Principal Nuclear Cyber Security Consultant for Jacobs. Paul has been working within the Nuclear Industry for over 20 years, primarily delivering ICS Sellafield projects and more latterly, over the last 5 or 6 years has been focused on OT Security projects within Nuclear. Paul is a supporter of the Nuclear TN as it helps bring together the varied elements of the Nuclear Industry and bring that combined view to issues such as the engineering skills shortage.
Zain Iqbal
Zain is proud to be a dedicated member of the IET's Nuclear Technical Network Committee. With a strong foundation in electrical and electronic engineering, acquired at Loughborough University, and five years of experience in the nuclear industry and the nuclear regulator, Zain brings a unique blend of technical and regulatory insight to the committee. His approach to regulating the nuclear industry, as part of the ONR (Office for Nuclear Regulation), is centred on enabling innovation to enhance nuclear safety. Zain's passion lies in nurturing and empowering engineers to excel in their roles, ultimately contributing to the continuous improvement of nuclear safety systems.
Aisling Mattinson
Aisling is an Electrical Engineer for Jacobs and has 9 years’ experience within the nuclear sector, with most of her time spent seconded to projects within the nuclear industry.
Aisling’s is responsible for producing suites of Control, Electrical and Instrumentation design deliverables for projects on the Sellafield site. This involves following the design process from concept, preliminary and detail, through to procurement, and testing. As a STEAM Ambassador, Aisling regularly promotes engineering & nuclear within schools and workshops, with a passion for engaging and promoting ‘Women in Engineering’