My group project experience…
16/06/2021

During a time of great uncertainty, I find great solace working on something where my passion is fulfilled. Covid-19 has had an adverse impact on all of our lives, but I am here to share some of the best memories I had during these times as well.
During my MSc in Energy Systems and Thermal Processes (ESTP) at Cranfield University for our group project, I had the privilege to work on one of the most exciting topics in the nuclear energy industry – Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Our research was based on analysing current SMR technology and investigating ways to improve the thermal efficiency of the power cycles, by incorporating supercritical CO2 as the working fluid. Also, we wanted to go a step further and allow for more renewable energy integration within the mix, and hence, an idea to incorporate thermal energy storage with the nuclear reactor arose, to facilitate flexibility of the nuclear reactor electrical output and work along with renewables according to the demand required.
Our team consisted of four students from the ESTP course, including myself, and two PhDs from Cranfield University. They served as the supervisors of our project and were very helpful along the journey to complete our work successfully.
After our initial proposal and working on some numbers, we pitched the idea to Rolls-Royce UK they agreed to be a part of the supervisory team and sponsor the project. This was one of the most exciting moments of my career, since working with experts from Rolls-Royce, Cranfield University and The Open University together, was a great opportunity to acquire a wealth of knowledge and establish contacts too, from an industrial as well as an academic perspective.
As students, we learnt so much throughout our project and had amazing discussions with the experts from Rolls-Royce, and academics about the current and future state of the nuclear energy industry. Our meetings were all online, since our team now consisted of an international array of experts from various nationalities, working from different places on a common goal. Nevertheless, the quality of work and technical expertise that was imparted during those two months were one of the best I have ever experienced in my life. I remember one particular day after our group project, when I was browsing through news articles and saw an excerpt about Rolls-Royce and their future plans about SMR technology. To know that your work is part of one among the most exciting prospects of technology in the world and to see it being implemented practically, was one of the happiest moments of my life.
I had chosen to pursue this path of clean energy due to my passion to give back something to this beautiful world of ours, and not pollute it further in the name of human intervention. I wanted to play an active, technical role in fighting climate change and work on innovating some of the best and most exciting renewable and low-carbon energy solutions in the world. After a long time, I feel I am actually on that path and living my dreams, as I pursue my heart’s desire and passion. I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to everyone who was part of this project, my fellow teammates, supervisors at Cranfield and all other industrial and academic experts who were part of this wonderful journey.

Categories & Tags:
Leave a comment on this post:
You might also like…
Working on your internship report
Instead of producing a traditional thesis, as covered in our earlier post, some students in the School of Management - and perhaps some in other Cranfield Schools too - will embark upon on an internship ...
Embracing a Marketing and Leadership MSc Apprenticeship.
A Q&A with Faizah Azeem. Why did you decide to undertake a postgraduate apprenticeship in Marketing and Leadership? Cranfield delivers a unique programme that sits well with professionals wanting to develop themselves into expert ...
What is ‘Digital Forensic Science’?
Despite being a fundamental tool for many organisations and criminal justice systems around the world, arguably digital forensic science as a discipline does not always get the recognition it deserves in media broadcasts. Therefore, public ...
Pandemic PhD to prospects PhD
Hello, my name is Danni and I’m a third-year PhD student in the School of Water, Energy, and Environment specifically within the Soil, Agrifood and Biosciences department. My PhD focuses on how biostimulants (seaweeds, ...
Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (Automotive) MSc alumnus Sohan Pookolayil Varghese on Cranfield, his career path, and why the automotive industry is such an exciting place to be
Sohan Pookolayil Varghese completed the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (Automotive) MSc in 2022. Here, he talks about his lifelong love of cars, why he chose Cranfield, and his career at Jaguar Land Rover where ...
Design as a Tool for Change
Design as a Tool for Change: Exploring Circular Economy and Sustainability through a visit to the Design Museum Design has become increasingly important in creating sustainable solutions for a better future. At the forefront ...
Excellent praveen.wish you best of luck.