Small Modular Reactors: Short overview

The topic of nuclear and Small Modular Reactors #SMRs is gaining momentum in many countries around the globe as the solution to switch as quickly as possible from coal to fully #decarbonized power generation solutions. This growing interest makes it a good time to take a closer look at SMRs and to understand what role they may play in the future of clean energy production.

In fact, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are revolutionizing the nuclear energy sector. These power plants are designed to be smaller, simpler, and more flexible than traditional large reactors.

Just to take an analogy, imagine a regular nuclear reactor as a behemoth like a large sports stadium, holding thousands of people and sprawling over a vast area. Its immense size makes it powerful, capable of generating enough electricity to light up a whole city.

On the other hand, an SMR is more like a compact, modular classroom. It's significantly smaller, fitting comfortably within the footprint of a few classrooms. While it doesn't pack the same punch as a giant stadium, it can still power a smaller community or industrial facility efficiently.

Unlike their gargantuan counterparts, SMRs boast a?maximum capacity of 300/350 MW (megawatts), equivalent of a single turbine combine cycle gas powerplant, significantly lower than the typical 1,000 MW/1,400 MW+ output of conventional reactors. This compact size allows for?modular construction, meaning they can be built in factories as pre-fabricated units, facilitating easier transportation and faster on-site assembly.

SMRs cater to a diverse range of energy requirements, making them interesting for several applications:

(1)?? Powering Remote Regions:?SMRs can offer?reliable and clean energy?to remote communities or industries currently lacking access to established power grids, fostering development and improving living standards.

(2)?? Industrial Powerhouse:?For?energy-intensive industries?like manufacturing and chemical processing, SMRs provide a?stable and consistent power source, crucial for uninterrupted operations.

(3)?? Grid Balancing:?SMRs can act as?complementary partners?to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. They can readily?fill the gap?during off-peak hours when solar and wind generation is low,?enhancing grid stability?and ensuring reliable power delivery.

As of today, the SMR field is witnessing a flurry of activity, with several major players vying for a leading position:

(1)? NuScale Power (US):?NuScale (60 MW)?is a frontrunner, aiming for?commercialization by 2029.

(2)? PLC ROLLS ROYCE POWER ENGINEERING (UK):?The?BWR SMR (470 MW), developed by Rolls-Royce, is expected to be available by?2031.

(3)? Terrestrial Energy rial Energy (Canada):?Their?IMSR (190 MW)?is targeting?2028?for commercial deployment.

(4)? EDF (France):?The French giant EDF is making significant strides with their?Nuward (340 MW), aiming for commercialization by?2030.

(5)? GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (USA): Their 300 MW unit is currently under development for a “ready for sale” step by 2028.

In theory, SMR designs prioritize minimizing waste generation, with many aiming for closed fuel cycles. This involves reusing spent fuel for further energy production, significantly reducing the amount of waste requiring disposal. However, long-term storage solutions remain a crucial challenge for all nuclear technologies, including SMRs. To be more precise, while the exact amount of waste produced by both technologies can vary depending on several factors, a conventional nuclear reactor typically produces?around 1200 tons of radioactive waste per year (1600 MW EPR reactor). Waste mainly consists of?spent nuclear fuel?and?operational waste, which includes materials like reactor components, filters, and protective clothing. For SMR, according to latest developments, waste should be between 2 to 30 times less conventional reactors. For example, the GE-Hitachi project, estimates its reactors to produce?around 2% of the waste?of a typical large reactor, to be confirmed.

Regarding its positioning in the market landscape, SMR technology does not intend to directly replace conventional #renewables. Normally, it should contribute to grid stability and base power demand with distinct advantages:

(1)?? Baseload Powerhouse:?Unlike intermittent sources like #wind and #solar, SMRs provide?consistent and reliable power generation, crucial for maintaining grid stability and addressing peak demand periods.

(2)?? Faster Deployment:?Compared to large-scale nuclear plants, SMRs can be?deployed significantly faster (Target of a couple of years), potentially bridging the gap until renewable energy sources reach full capacity and fully meet energy demands.

(3)?? Reduced Footprint:?The modular design allows for?flexible deployment?in areas unsuitable for large-scale solar or wind farms, providing clean energy options in diverse geographical locations.

In term of cost, the infrastructure costs associated with connecting to existing grids can make renewables less cost-effective in remote areas. SMRs, with their independent power generation capabilities, might offer a more viable solution. This point should be clarified shortly when first projects will be finalized.

As of today, several countries recognize already the potential of SMRs and are actively exploring and developing this technology. For most of these countries, there is already a strong nuclear background.

In fact, the US plan to have a first running machine by 2029, in five years. Canada targets 2028 with 180 MW connected to the grid. In Europe, France expects a reactor available by 2030 when UK plans to be ready by 2031. The Czech Republic, Poland and Romania have also clear development plans. In Asia, China and South Korea are also exploring SMRs for various applications with targets around 2030 or before.

The development of SMRs is undeniably gaining momentum, suggesting we could very well see these advanced reactors operational within a short timeframe and most probably before 2030. Their entrance into the energy sector promises a transformative shift, offering a unique, additional and compelling alternative to existing sources. SMRs hold the potential to #decarbonize various sectors, expand power generation to remote regions, and strengthen overall grid stability.

However, countries embarking on this path, especially those without an established nuclear background, must not underestimate the time and effort required to develop the necessary capabilities to safely operate and manage SMR technologies. Building expertise, regulatory frameworks, and a workforce equipped to handle this new technology is crucial for ensuring success. Anticipation is here mandatory.

Furthermore, it's imperative to remember that SMRs represent just one piece of the complex puzzle that is the ongoing energy revolution. While focus on diverse generation sources like SMRs is vital, modernizing and expanding our aging #powergrids is equally critical. Ensuring reliable and accessible power grids to transmit and distribute the energy generated by these new technologies will be the defining challenge of the coming decade. To truly realize the benefits of SMRs and other clean energy solutions, addressing the power grid bottleneck remains an absolute necessity.