Emerging small modular nuclear power reactors

Abstract

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with a typical electrical output up to 300 MWe per unit and can produce 7.2 GWh per day, which is about one-third of the capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors. There is an emerging interest on SMRs and their applications among many nuclear power member countries as a potentially viable nuclear option since it is an environmentally friendly carbon free solution to contribute in mitigating the climate change. SMR reactors are designed as a single or multimodule plant incorporating advanced safety features to minimize potential accident risks. They are under deployment for all principal reactor technology types such as water-cooled reactors, high temperature gas-cooled reactors, liquid metal-cooled fast neutron spectrum reactors, molten salt reactors, and microreactors (capacity <10 MWe). The main factors driving the development of SMRs include the demand for flexible power generation for diverse users and applications, the need to replace ageing fossil-fuel units, upgrading the safety performance, and enhanced economic affordability.