Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A New Frontier in Nuclear Energy - 336

Given the new administration will purge the oversight of government agencies of "elitists," there is no telling what our energy future, climate future, or our future in general will look like. To set the record straight, in most parts of the world, elitists are not called elitists but are known as dedicated experts, professionals, and scientists.

In the quest for non-carbon emitting electric energy, one energy source may reemerge in our new political climate. It is nuclear with a new face, called SMRs.

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Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are designed to be smaller, safer, and more flexible than traditional nuclear reactors. SMRs typically produce up to 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity per unit, compared to traditional reactors that often exceed 1,000 MW. Their modular design allows components to be factory-built and transported to the site for assembly, reducing construction times and costs.

The SMRs require a smaller physical footprint, making them suitable for remote areas, industrial sites, and regions with limited grid infrastructure. Additionally, they are modular constructions manufactured off-site, which ensures higher quality control, reduces costs, and enables faster deployment.

SMR designs incorporate passive safety features, which can automatically shut down or cool without human intervention or external power sources in emergencies. Innovative new cooling technologies are being developed for emergency cooling such as liquid sodium, molten fluoride, and helium gas.

SMRs are designed to operate individually or in clusters, allowing communities to adjust power output to meet varying energy demands. A community may choose to start with one SMR with plans to expand to if power demands rise.

Several countries and companies are leading the development of SMRs. In the United States, Companies like NuScale Power, TerraPower, and Westinghouse are prominent. NuScale has received regulatory approval for its design and aims to deploy its first reactor by the late 2020s.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Terrestrial Energy are leading the charge in Canada. OPG plans to have a grid-connected SMR by 2029.

In the United Kingdom, Rolls-Royce is developing SMRs as part of the country's plan for decarbonization. The company aims to have operational units by the early 2030s.

In China, the world's leader in carbon-free energy production via solar and wind, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is already testing SMRs. The corporation focuses on meeting both domestic and international energy needs.

In Russia, Rosatom has developed and deployed the first floating SMR, the Akademik Lomonosov, showcasing its potential for maritime and remote applications.

SMRs are designed to use a new uranium fuel stock. They use High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). HALEU is enriched to contain 5% to 20% of uranium-235, compared to conventional reactors' typical 3% to 5% enrichment. This higher enrichment level offers several benefits for SMR operations. They are more efficient with HALEU because it enables longer reactor operation cycles, reduces the frequency of refueling, and lowers operational costs.  HALEU allows for more compact core designs, making SMRs smaller and more efficient without compromising power output. Safety is enhanced because the fuel's higher energy density reduces the need for frequent refueling, minimizing human interaction and enhancing operational safety.

There is optimism that using HALEU will speed the development of even more efficient, safe, next-generation fast reactors using molten salt.

The Biden Administration, through the Department of Energy, has been working to overcome many challenges to SMRs by speeding up the operational and safety reviews of the new designs. Even with the Biden Administration's support, these novel designs will require new safety standards and regulatory frameworks, which can delay deployment.

All energy sources must compete based on economic viability. Solar, wind, and natural gas power sources are hard to compete with.  Although SMRs are designed to be cost-effective, the initial development and licensing costs are significant.

One challenge to SMRs is the global production capacity for HALEU. While there is an unlimited amount of sun and wind power, there is a limited production of HALEU.  However, efforts are underway in the U.S., Europe, and Russia to ramp up production, ensuring adequate supply for future SMR deployment.

As with our current nuclear energy production, nuclear waste exists, for which we still need to find a safe repository.

SMRs, fueled by HALEU, represent a transformative shift in nuclear energy, offering a cleaner, safer, and more adaptable energy solution. With ongoing technological advancements and increasing global support, SMRs could become a cornerstone of future energy strategies, contributing to global decarbonization efforts while enhancing energy security and accessibility.

Further Reading: Science News, “Nuclear energy entices Bir Tech”. World Nuclear News. Energy.gov.