For almost 75 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear technology and innovation – helping deliver the UK’s nuclear deterrent capabilities and preserve peace. With a workforce of 7,000, it’s constantly working to keep the UK safe and secure.
AWE has a long-term relationship with Haskoning's Witness Simulation Software (formerly Lanner), which models complex processes to provide detailed insight into current and future operations. However, over the last 2 years, we have worked together on a specific project – leveraging throughput modelling to devise the best way to manufacture products with long lead times using existing and future facilities. Due to the constraints in this highly regulated, sensitive industry, this project was particularly complex.
This impact story explores the collaboration, including:
AWE was searching for a partner with the ability to provide modelling thought leadership.
“AWE has used discrete event simulation for years,” explained Clive Mott, Operations Planning and Demand Management Systems at AWE. “We’ve made several attempts to set up central teams – using contractors to create ambitious models of processes, for example.” These attempts had stalled due to the lack of an overarching strategy.
“As part of the journey, we’d used several modelling tools, one of which was Witness,” continued Clive. “We knew the software and that we could trust Haskoning. We wanted to build a partnership rather than having a transactional relationship with a software company.”
“Capital projects involve huge investments over many years, often decades,” said Simon Rollinson, modelling expert at AWE. “It’s important to get it right up front. If we have the wrong facility size or design a process that doesn’t give the required throughput, it’s a major problem.”
“From the outset, we knew we could add significant value,” explained Chris Legge, Senior Consultant at Haskoning. “Not only do we have extensive experience of civil and commercial nuclear and manufacturing, but we also understand how they interplay – and have Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) on our team.”
Better decisions are being made more quickly because of our close working relationship. We are now using modelling better than we ever have – and have a strong platform to do even more with it.