Shearwater combines existing low-carbon generation technologies in a novel manner to meet the precise needs of a particular energy consumer or a particular location in the transmission system.

Increasingly, these precise needs include very low carbon intensities and very high assurances of supply, whilst still being affordable for consumers.

Our current generation ‘toolbox’ contains micro and small modular reactors, including the next generation of high temperature modular reactors, and floating Atlantic seaboard wind with capacity factors exceeding 65%, and state-of-the-art energy storage in the form of electricity, heat and hydrogen.

Shearwater has spent the last five years engaging with the National Grid, including the NGESO, to better understand the challenges associated with the transition from centralised thermal generation to diffuse renewable generation as the UK decarbonises its economy.

This engagement has led to the identification of key locations in the UK’s transmission system where different generation products are required.

It is no longer sufficient for generators to only think in terms of supplying electricity to the transmission system. The increasing levels of asynchronous renewable energy in the transmission system require a range of bespoke grid stabilisation products such as voltage management, inertia and short circuit levels to be available at short notice together with the provision of zero-carbon reactive and peak power. Shearwater is rising to this challenge and is actively designing first-of-a-kind generation systems that will lead the way in providing enhanced energy security and decarbonisation.

Despite being highly advanced in the deployment of offshore wind, and despite generating 20% of our power from nuclear energy, Britain imports 100% of its wind turbine generators and most of the equipment needed for new nuclear power stations.

Floating offshore wind and SMRs offer an opportunity for much higher levels of domestic manufacturing input and the setting up of more secure national supply chains.

Whilst remaining technology agnostic in our design work, Shearwater endeavours to maximise local content and contract with UK-based engineering services whenever possible and actively encourages different SMR developers to adopt common UK-based products, services, and supply chains.