Serving stakeholders in the nuclear industry: designers, operators, manufacturers, research centers and regulators, Oakridge works on operating fleet, new build projects, as well as innovative reactor projects.
Our expertise in figures
More than 20 years of experience, 100% in the nuclear sector, in France, Europe, Asia and Africa: references with 23 nuclear power plants in operation
Involvement in 12 nuclear new build projects
Involvement in 5 AMR/SMR projects
50 employees and their cutting-edge skills and expertise in engineering in the nuclear sector
An international network of partners in 12 key countries, on all continents
1 priority concern: nuclear safety to ensure compliance with the safety requirements of existing installations and guarantee the highest level of nuclear safety in new projects
Oakridge was the first company in France to obtain ISO 19443 certification, an international standard dedicated to nuclear safety.
our certifications
Certification ISO 9001 | ISO 19443 | Qualification EDF / UTO | Certification CEFRI E
1) International activity, Oakridge's DNA
Oakridge's excellence in serving its clients is based on the skills of its consultants and its international roots. Since its creation, Oakridge has forged numerous partnerships, particularly in Europe, Canada, Asia and South Africa. This international network allows skills and knowledge to be combined to cultivate excellence. At a time when the nuclear sector is facing a skills shortage, Oakridge's international network provides additional resources for large-scale projects with an international dimension.
2) Innovation at the heart of Oakridge's activity
Exploiting the potential of AI and digital tools, combined with knowledge of the nuclear sector.
Oakridge has dual expertise: nuclear and digital. Oakridge uses its expertise in digital tools and Artificial Intelligence to bring productivity gains to the nuclear industry.
Addressing the most complex subjects through R&D
Oakridge is developing its own R&D activity, dedicated to the challenges of the nuclear sector. The main themes concern the development of Advanced Modular Reactors, dismantling, nuclear safety, radiation protection and nuclear simulators.
An R&D project: the extraction of nuclear debris
Oakridge has developed an innovative concept for extracting nuclear fuel debris from the cores of the damaged Fukushima-Daiici reactors. The concept is based on a rapid pneumatic transfer of closed capsules containing the debris. It has many advantages in terms of speed, containment, dose limitation and compatibility with the necessary technologies (cutting, gripping, vision).
3) Oakridge's expertise summarized in 4 domains
3.1 - Engineering of new reactors
We intervene in BD (basic design) to choose the best optimization options. We intervene in DD (detailed design) to design the reactor systems, manage equipment contracts in interface with international suppliers, support our client in its project organization, integrate feedback, promote cross-functional communication between professions, ensure compliance with safety criteria, etc. Finally, we intervene in the Commissioning phase, for testing and start-up of the nuclear facility.
3.2 - Nuclear safety studies
Oakridge carries out deterministic safety analyses of reactors and nuclear fuel cycle installations for its clients. Teams also carry out on-site assessments (walk downs) to explore safety practices and inspect equipment, materials and premises in accordance with regulations or a specific requisition from the operator.
The probabilistic safety studies that Oakridge carries out for operators and on behalf of safety authorities aim to further improve the safety level of nuclear installations by calculating the probability of an accident, with or without release (level 1, 2 or 3 PSA). This method makes it possible to integrate the dimensions of event occurrence, their intensity and their possible impact to prepare the means of defense for the installation and actions according to the level of accident envisaged. In the wake of the climate change, which generates more frequent and more intense weather events, this method is particularly interesting in taking into account external aggressions which can impact the nuclear installation.
3.3 - Support for nuclear facility operators
Oakridge helps operators extend the life of nuclear facilities.
The objectives of decarbonizing the economy require the development of new low-carbon energy production methods and building nuclear reactors takes time. It is therefore necessary to preserve the nuclear electricity production capacities that are already in place. However, the average age of the global reactor fleet is high.
To counter the effects of age, technical studies are required, particularly concerning equipment obsolescence, corrosion, corrosion-erosion, etc. It is also appropriate to review and complete the safety demonstrations to integrate current requirements, post-Fukushima in particular, to make modifications and reinforcements to the installation, in civil engineering, electrical circuits, control-command, mechanical parts, means of defense against external attacks and anti-intrusion control.
In parallel with this, the operator must prepare and present to the safety authority the justification file for the extension of the life of its installation. Oakridge is at the heart of this approach and has been supporting operators for years in France, South Africa and South Korea.
3.4 - New AMR/SMR reactors’ development
Oakridge is fully invested in the development of AMRs (Advanced Modular Reactors) and SMRs (Small Modular Reactors).
The company supports developers of several technologies: Molten Salt Reactor, High Temperature Gas Reactor, Molten Lead Reactor and Pressurized Water Reactor.
In this context, Oakridge provides cutting-edge multi-technical expertise through :
- its involvement in the development and optimization of the reactor core
- neutronic studies
- criticality safety of fuel storage
- ventilation and aeraulic thermal engineering
- regulatory compliance with the ESPN
- resistance of materials to extreme conditions
- radiological zoning
- activation of structural materials
- prediction of types and quantities of radioactive waste
Oakridge is a Member of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs.
Oakridge has significant expertise in the design of molten salt reactor cores