About SMR
Small Modular Reactors
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional reactors. The term “small” in the context of SMRs refers to design power output.
Small modular reactors have a power output of less than 300 MWe. The term “modular” in the context of SMRs refers to its scalability and to the ability to fabricate major components of the nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) in a factory environment and then transported them to the site.
Key characteristics:
Modularity
Improved safety
Easier construction
See also: www.nuclear-power.com
NuScale – NuScale Power Module
NuScale Power Module – A pressurized water reactor (PWR) design that uses natural circulation to passively cool the reactor in the event of a loss of power or cooling. The NuScale Power Module is designed to be factory-made, transported to the site, and installed in a scalable, modular configuration.
Here are some characteristics of the NuScale Power Module:
- Design: The NuScale Power Module is a pressurized water reactor (PWR) design that uses natural circulation to passively cool the reactor in the event of a loss of power or cooling. The reactor is designed to be small, scalable, and factory-made in a modular configuration.
- Size: The NuScale Power Module has a capacity of 60 MW. Multiple modules can be combined to form a larger power plant, with up to 12 modules providing a total capacity of 720 MW.
- Safety: The NuScale Power Module is designed with multiple layers of safety features, including passive cooling systems that rely on natural circulation and gravity to remove heat from the reactor in the event of an accident.
- Cost: The modular design of the NuScale Power Module is intended to reduce construction costs and time, as modules can be manufactured off-site and transported to the site for installation. Additionally, the small size of the reactor means that it requires less fuel and produces less waste than traditional nuclear reactors.
- Licensing: The NuScale Power Module received approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2020, making it the first SMR design to receive NRC approval. The design is currently undergoing licensing in several other countries.
- Deployment: The first commercial deployment of the NuScale Power Module is expected to occur at the Idaho National Laboratory in the United States, with construction scheduled to begin in 2022. The design has also been proposed for use in several other locations in the United States and internationally.
