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Released April 19, 2023 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The mini-nuclear reactor design from Rolls-Royce SMR (London, England) has become the first to advance to the second stage of the U.K.'s assessment process for nuclear reactor technology.
The 470-megawatt (MW) small modular reactor (SMR) has successfully completed Step 1 of the U.K.'s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process and progressed to the next phase. Step 2, which will take about 16 months, is the "fundamental assessment" stage of the GDA where detailed technical testing will get underway by the regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.
"This is a huge stride forward for our project and, through the independent scrutiny of our regulators, further increases confidence in the viability of the Rolls-Royce SMR design," commented safety & regulatory affairs director at Rolls Royce SMR, Helena Perry. "Rolls-Royce SMR has unmatched experience in GDA, international licensing and permitting. We are using all the knowledge and learning from our uniquely skilled team to move at pace through the GDA process--bringing us closer to our vision of providing clean, affordable energy for all and providing a British solution to a global energy crisis." The GDA is a three-step process designed to evaluate the safety, security, and environmental protection elements of any proposed nuclear power plant design proposed for use in the U.K..Step 3--the "detailed assessment" stage--is planned to start in August 2024 and finish in August 2026.
The news confirms that Rolls-Royce is years ahead of rivals in the race to get SMRs licensed and constructed in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe. Earlier this year, the U.K. government revealed that six other SMR companies and joint ventures have applied to join the GDA process, including GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) (Wilmington, North Carolina) and Holtec International (Jupiter, Florida). Last month Rolls-Royce signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Finnish energy major Fortum Oyj (Espoo, Finland) about deploying the SMRs in Finland and Sweden. A similar deal was signed with Ukraine's state-owned nuclear-energy utility, Energoatom, about using SMRs to help rebuild the country's energy infrastructure after an end to its war with Russia.
In December, Rolls-Royce revealed a shortlist for the locations of its first proposed U.K. SMR manufacturing plant and potential sites for the first SMR power plant. For additional information, see December 29, 2022, article - Rolls-Royce Reveals Contenders for Small Nuclear Reactor Plant. The 470-MW SMR is based on small pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The company plans to build 16 SMRs, each capable of generating enough power for 450,000 homes for 60 years. Each plant will take up just 10% of the footprint of a conventional nuclear power plant. The first plants will be operational by the early 2030s, claimed Rolls-Royce, with 10 completed by 2035.
Government backing for SMR rollout remains unclear. In late 2021, Industrial Info reported on the government taking a major stake in the development of the technology through its U.K. Research and Innovation fund. For additional information, see November 17, 2021, article - Rolls-Royce Gets Big Boost for Mini-Nuclear Power Plants. However, in January, it was reported that the U.K. government was planning to delay a decision on vital funding for at least a year due largely to the spiraling costs of existing, traditional nuclear power projects, like Hinkley Point C. For additional information, see January 17, 2023, article - Funding Block Hits U.K. Small Nuclear Reactor Ambitions.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
The 470-megawatt (MW) small modular reactor (SMR) has successfully completed Step 1 of the U.K.'s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process and progressed to the next phase. Step 2, which will take about 16 months, is the "fundamental assessment" stage of the GDA where detailed technical testing will get underway by the regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales.
"This is a huge stride forward for our project and, through the independent scrutiny of our regulators, further increases confidence in the viability of the Rolls-Royce SMR design," commented safety & regulatory affairs director at Rolls Royce SMR, Helena Perry. "Rolls-Royce SMR has unmatched experience in GDA, international licensing and permitting. We are using all the knowledge and learning from our uniquely skilled team to move at pace through the GDA process--bringing us closer to our vision of providing clean, affordable energy for all and providing a British solution to a global energy crisis." The GDA is a three-step process designed to evaluate the safety, security, and environmental protection elements of any proposed nuclear power plant design proposed for use in the U.K..Step 3--the "detailed assessment" stage--is planned to start in August 2024 and finish in August 2026.
The news confirms that Rolls-Royce is years ahead of rivals in the race to get SMRs licensed and constructed in the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe. Earlier this year, the U.K. government revealed that six other SMR companies and joint ventures have applied to join the GDA process, including GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) (Wilmington, North Carolina) and Holtec International (Jupiter, Florida). Last month Rolls-Royce signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Finnish energy major Fortum Oyj (Espoo, Finland) about deploying the SMRs in Finland and Sweden. A similar deal was signed with Ukraine's state-owned nuclear-energy utility, Energoatom, about using SMRs to help rebuild the country's energy infrastructure after an end to its war with Russia.
In December, Rolls-Royce revealed a shortlist for the locations of its first proposed U.K. SMR manufacturing plant and potential sites for the first SMR power plant. For additional information, see December 29, 2022, article - Rolls-Royce Reveals Contenders for Small Nuclear Reactor Plant. The 470-MW SMR is based on small pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The company plans to build 16 SMRs, each capable of generating enough power for 450,000 homes for 60 years. Each plant will take up just 10% of the footprint of a conventional nuclear power plant. The first plants will be operational by the early 2030s, claimed Rolls-Royce, with 10 completed by 2035.
Government backing for SMR rollout remains unclear. In late 2021, Industrial Info reported on the government taking a major stake in the development of the technology through its U.K. Research and Innovation fund. For additional information, see November 17, 2021, article - Rolls-Royce Gets Big Boost for Mini-Nuclear Power Plants. However, in January, it was reported that the U.K. government was planning to delay a decision on vital funding for at least a year due largely to the spiraling costs of existing, traditional nuclear power projects, like Hinkley Point C. For additional information, see January 17, 2023, article - Funding Block Hits U.K. Small Nuclear Reactor Ambitions.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
