Trade Group: Small Modular Reactors Could be the Future of U.S. Nuclear Power

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Nuclear power plants fueled by small modular reactors (SMR) could compete with natural gas-fired generation by 2030, according to a study by SMR Start (Washington D.C.), a consortium of nuclear developers and potential operators and customers formed to advance the commercialization of the new reactor design. Industrial Info is tracking three active SMR projects valued at $8.3 billion and an inactive project valued at $900 million in North America.

According to the study, SMR plants--which cost less, are safer and can be constructed in a shorter period than traditional nuclear plants--could take off by 2030, if the demand for carbon-free generation continues its worldwide growth.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) (Washington D.C.) forecasts an 18% growth in electricity demand by 2040; with more nuclear plant retirements on the horizon, the U.S. will need up to 100 new nuclear plants by mid-century to maintain the benefits of a more diverse electric portfolio.

SMRs can be used to power steam-turbine generators to produce electricity and desalination plants to purify water. They also can power hydrogen production for both fuel and chemical feedstocks. Developers are also looking at combining SMR technology with wind and solar power-generation projects. For more information, see February 1, 2017, article - NuScale and Rolls Royce Jumpstart Mini Nuclear Power Revolution.

SMR LLC, a subsidiary of Holtec International (Juniper, Florida), is developing a the SMR-160, which is designed to produce 160 megawatts. The company also is working with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to develop a natural-circulation, primary flow simulation engine to perform thermal-hydraulic stability analysis for the project.

The SMR-160 design would take up less than four-and-a-half acres of land and would use a lake, river or ocean for cooling. As a distributed energy source, it would not need expensive, high-capacity transmission lines.

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